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QuickBooks Desktop Company File Not Found Error [Fixed]

You may have seen situations where QuickBooks Company file not found error emerges when a business owner or accountant tries to locate or open the company file. In such a circumstance, one shouldn’t freak out because it is common. Missing QuickBooks company files can occur for a number of different reasons. You are not utilizing the most recent version of QuickBooks, for example. Additionally, more serious issues like data corruption may potentially result in the same. If you experience the QuickBooks Desktop Company File Not Found Error, you will see the following warning message:- The company file you choose could not be located. 

The following are some things you could try:

To search for this file in a different directory, select the ‘Open or Restore Company…’ command from the ‘File’ menu.

To search for this file on your computer, use the “Search” function from the Windows “Start Menu.”

When your QuickBooks can’t find company file, the company file extension disappears or won’t open, don’t freak out. This is typical; you could see these problems whenever a data file is renamed or moved from its location. Additionally, it’s possible that your workstation loses connection to the location of your file. You also won’t be able to view the file if it is destroyed. Before starting any troubleshooting steps, have a quick look at the explanation and causes down below.

Warning: The company file you selected could not be found. You can try one of the following:

Choose the ‘Open or Restore Company…’ command from the ‘File’ menu to look for this file in a different directory.

(or)

Use the ‘Search’ tool from the Windows ‘Start Menu’ to search for this file on your computer.

Before further discussing the issue, let’s understand what a company file in the QuickBooks application is. QuickBooks uses the company file to store your financial data. QuickBooks company file can be identified with a .QBW extension. It is a single company file, and you cannot decompose it into multiple files. You can open, copy, and move your company file and import it from one version to another. If you encounter the QuickBooks company file not found error, you need to follow the suitable solutions to get it fixed.

Note: If you wish to know more about QuickBooks File and its extension further, you can visit the article by tapping on the hyperlink.

You may also see:   How to Resolve the QuickBooks Error 324

QuickBooks company file not found due to several reasons. Some of them are listed in the below-given bullet points:

  1. The company file you are trying to access is moved to a different location.
  2. When an essential company file related to QuickBooks is deleted locally or from the server.
  3. When you try to open the company file in the No Company Open window.
  4. You are unable to open the company file in multi-user mode due to an unstable Internet connection.
  5. You are not choosing the inappropriate option to open the particular file.
  6. Dispute with *QBW.TLG(Transaction Log) file.
  7. The name of the QuickBooks company file might exceed the characters specified. 
  8. The QBWUSER.ini file might be missing or damaged, causing QuickBooks can’t find your company file error
  9. Your hard drive might be damaged, triggering the issue. 
  10. Damaged program files might be another trigger for this error.
  11. Using incorrect or outdated QuickBooks versions can bring forth such errors constantly. 

If None of the above causes leads to the issue of QuickBooks cannot find the company file, we urge you to either report this issue to your IT Team or Connect with our QB experts through Chats or Place a call at the below-given number.

QuickBooks company file issue is one of the broadest range of error series that oftentimes occurs in QuickBooks. Below we have enlisted based upon the frequency, How often they appear.

  1. QuickBooks Error 6000 83.
  2. QuickBooks Error 6000 77.
  3. QuickBooks Error 6000 80.
  4. QuickBooks Error 6094 0.
  5. QuickBooks Error 6147.
  6. QuickBooks Error 6073.
  7. QuickBooks Error 6210.
  8. QuickBooks Error 6129, 0.
  9. QuickBooks Error 6144 82.
  10. QuickBooks Error 6190 816.

Do you want to know how to find QuickBooks company file? To fix the QuickBooks company file is missing issue, you need to suppress its possible causes. Below are some effective troubleshooting solutions that can help you when you can’t find QuickBooks company file resolution.

If you’re wondering how to find company file in QuickBooks, begin by checking the strength of your internet connection:

  1. Open the Run command window by pressing Windows + R keys on the keyboard.
  2. In the Run command search dialog box, you need to type “CMD” and then hit the OK button.
  3. On the Command Prompt window, type ‘ipconfig/all’ and press the Enter key.
  4. Make a note of the Host Name ( Servername).
  5. Next, type ‘ping’ and then the name of your server.
  6. Press the Enter key.

Note: In case you get any packet loss or a slow reply, we suggest you to use QuickBooks File Doctor from QuickBooks Tool Hub to resolve the network connectivity issue.

If you’re asking, “where are my QuickBooks files stored,” here’s the answer to the error:

Step 1) Search for all company files on the server computer

  1. On the server computer, you need to open the Windows Start menu by pressing the Windows key.
  2. In the search box, type any of the following text to search for company files.

Note: Make sure to add the Asterisk (*) before the extension type so that the search feature works correctly.

  1. For Working files, type *.qbw
  2. For Back-Up files, type *.qbb
  3. For Accountants Copy files, type *.qba
  4. For Accounting Transfer files, type *.qbx
  5. For Accountant Change files, type *.qby

Make a note of the location of company files.

Step 2) Open the company file in QuickBooks

To restore the backup company file (with .qbb extension)

  1. Open QuickBooks Desktop, go to the File menu and then choose the Open or Restore Company option.
  2. Next, you need to choose the Open a Company file option and hit the Next button.
  3. Click on the Local backup option.
  4. Now, you need to follow the location of the backup company file that you have noted down in step 1 and then hit the Next button.
  5. At last, choose a place on the system where you want to save the restored file and then click on the Save button.

To open the company file ( with .qbw extension) or the accountant’s copy ( with .qba extension)

  1. Open QuickBooks Desktop, select the File menu and choose the Open or Restore Company option.
  2. Next, you need to click on Open a company file and then hit the Next button.
  3. Choose the company file by following the location that you have noted down in step 1.
  4. At last, click on the Open option.

To restore the Accountant’s Copy Transfer file (with .qbx extension)

  1. Open QuickBooks Desktop, navigate to the File menu and choose the Open or Restore a company option.
  2. Next, you need to choose Convert and Accountant’s Copy Transfer File and then hit the Next button.
  3. On the What the Accountant’s Copy Can and Can’t Do window, click on the Next button.
  4. Next, you need to choose the Accountant’s Copy Transfer file by following the location that you have noted down in step 1.
  5. At last, select the location where you want to restore the Accountant’s Copy Transfer file and then hit the Save button.

In case you have your company file stored on an external storage device like a USB device, then there is a possibility that Windows is unable to access the external storage because of some faults. This issue can further lead QuickBooks to display a “can t find QuickBooks company file” error message. Now, since you may be wondering, “how to find company file in QuickBooks,” follow the instructions given below and move the company file to the local storage of your PC.

  1. Plugin the external storage device that has the company file.
  2. Open the storage device and copy the company file.
  3. Now move to the desktop of your computer and paste the company file there.
  4. Open QuickBooks and from the No Company Open window, select Open/Restore Company File option.
  5. Locate the company file on the desktop and open it.
  6. Check if you get to know “where does QuickBooks store company files.”

You may also read: QuickBooks Database Server Manager stopped running

When you go through this method, it doesn’t automatically answer “how to find QuickBooks file location.” Instead, it will let you know where the errors triggering the QuickBooks company file not found issue lie. Take the following actions for this method:

  1. Begin by searching for File Explorer from the Start menu on the Desktop. 
  2. Look in the QB folder for the QuickBooks.exe file. 
  3. Now, hold the Ctrl key and double-click the QuickBooks file without releasing the Ctrl key. The No Company Open Window should be visible.
  4. Further, try accessing your company file. If it occurs seamlessly, the issue might be with your program. 
  5. On the other hand, if it doesn’t open, your company file might be damaged.
  6. Verify this by opening the sample file. If the sample file is accessible, the company file is corrupt. If not, then the program is the issue.

If your QuickBooks can’t find company file, the error might be with the company file name. Check the file name and see if it is according to the standards.

  1. It should not be too long. 
  2. There shouldn’t be any special characters in your company file name.
  3. Rename it by right-clicking this file and hitting the Rename option if this is the cause of the error. 

Hopefully, these solutions work in your favor and lend you an effective resolution for this error. Some additional solutions you might want to try include:

  1. Check the properties of your file.
  2. Use repair tools for damage.
  3. Change the name of the TLG and ND files.
  4. Turn off the save when a closing feature (temporarily).

Hopefully, we expect that after following the steps mentioned above, you will be able to get rid of the QuickBooks Company File not found error and continue working with QuickBooks. In case you notice that the error persists even after implementing the troubleshooting above solutions, then there is a great possibility that you or any of your employees have hidden the company file. We suggest you change the settings on your system to show hidden files on Windows and see whether this resolves the error or dial QuickBooks Support Number 1-(855)-542-9309. On connecting, you can get comprehensive assistance in resolving the Company File Not Found QuickBooks.