Troubleshoot locked File Errors in QuickBooks Desktop

Being a QuickBooks user, did you stumble upon the "file in use" error or ancillary locked file errors in QuickBooks? These errors are generally caused when the company file which you are trying to get access to is being used by some other program. This blog contains easy to follow remedial troubleshooting techniques that shall aid you in fixing this issue so that you can access your company files without any technical issues.

Different locked file errors in QuickBooks Desktop

Some of the most common file errors in the QuickBooks program are:
· “Company File in use. Please wait.”
· “Only one user at a time is allowed to do (a task).”
· “Another QuickBooks user is currently performing a task which must finish before you can continue.”
· “Sorry, you cannot change this (transaction) now. (Another user) is currently doing a task that uses that in this transaction.”

Procedure for fixing locked file errors in QuickBooks Desktop

Steps to follow if the locked file error refers to a specific user.

If the error consistently refers to a specific user, and that user is not actually doing a task in QuickBooks, try these steps:

· Go to the user that is mentioned I the error message, and run QuickBooks on that user’s workstation.
· Now, on other workstation, the user needs to run QuickBooks. After wards, make a move onto the Company tab.
· Follow up by heading to the Users tab, and afterwards, hit on the option to View Users.
· Now, sign out of the user workstation that is being mentioned in the error message.
· After doing that, the next step requires heading back to the list of users. In case the user does not appears when signing in, perform your task as usual.
· However, if the user still shows up upon signing in, then perform the procedure for “Waiting for Company File” and “error on multiple workstations” discussed below.

Case : In case the error states, "Waiting for company file" or "Company File in Use. Please Wait”
This error message reflects some network related or database issues within QuickBooks. This is generally a result of incompatibility or the system not meeting the minimum requirements needed for running QuickBooks. The solutions to this error are enumerated below:

Solution 1: Terminating hosting on all workstations.

Perform the below given steps to end hosting on the different workstations:
· Start right-away by opening QuickBooks as an admin.
· Follow up to the File menu, and from there, advance to Utilities.
· In case the option to Stop Hosting Multi-User Access shows up, tap on it, and following that, hit on Yes for confirming the change.
· On the other hand, in case, the option to Host Multi-User Access appears, make a move to the next step.
· Now, make an exit from QuickBooks.

 

Solution 2: Stop and restart QuickBooks services on the server

• The user first needs to navigate to the server and also shutdown QuickBooks on each workstation.
· Now, access the Run window via the Start menu, or else press the Short key “Win + R”.
• Within Run, type in services.msc and then hit on Ok.
• Now, in the Name column, the user is required to opt for QuickBooksDBXX.
• Upon clicking on the service, hit on the Stop button. By doing this, no user will be able to access the company file.
• Afterwards, again sign in and try accessing the Company file once again. The file should be accessible this time around without the occurrence of locked file errors.

 

Solution 3: Run QuickBooks Tool Hub

QuickBooks Tool Hub houses multiple troubleshooting tools to fix diversified QuickBooks malfunctioning issues. These tools include Quick Fix My Program, QuickBooks File Doctor Tool, QB Install Diagnostic Tool, QB Clean Install Tool, etc. To use the tool for fixing the locked file errors in QuickBooks Desktop, perform the following procedure:

• Initially, get QuickBooks Tool Hub downloaded and installed from the website of Intuit.
• Now, run the tool and then make a move to the Program Problems tab.
• Now, use the different tools available in this tool to check for any issues and fix them instantly.

 

Solution 4: Reinstall QuickBooks on the server

If the locked file error still keeps bothering you, go for the reinstallation of QuickBooks on the Server.

If the error persists on only one workstation
The solutions to follow in this case are discussed below:

Solution 1: Creating a new QuickBooks user

• Select Users from the Company menu, then choose Set up Users and Roles.

• Now, click on New in the Users and Roles pane. Put a name in the User Name field. You can add and confirm a password if you like.
• Choose a role from the Roles window, click Add, and then click OK.
• Select the Role List tab, then choose Edit if you need to make more modifications to the role. Select OK after making any necessary changes to the permissions.
• In the Users and Roles window, click Close.
• Log off QuickBooks from the computer. Afterward, log in using the newly created user. Make sure the user's access is configured how you want it by testing it.
• If this doesn’t fix locked file errors in QuickBooks Desktop, try out the next solution.

 

Solution 2: Run QB as an admin

Follow the steps for successful creation of a new Windows user with admin rights.

• Start off by signing in to Windows with the current user on the workstation.
• Following that, right-click the QB icon and then hit on Run as administrator.
• Now, make an attempt to access the company file again.

This discussion covered the effective solutions to fix locked file errors in QuickBooks Desktop. If you have any questions related to this accounting program or want assistance from our experts, just give us a call at 1-800-761-1787.