Fix QuickBooks Error 6104 With Tried and Tested Methods

QuickBooks Desktop gambles with internal issues that randomly occur and interrupt the ongoing accounting tasks. One such issue is QuickBooks error 6104, which completely blocks you from opening the data file or hosting it on the network. Read the blog to learn about its potential triggers and elimination strategy.

Avoid losing access to your financial data due to company file errors in QuickBooks Desktop by consulting our team of QB experts at 1-855-542-9309 for troubleshooting tricks to counter the issue.

What is QuickBooks Error -6104, 50?

There can be several instances where you may encounter this error code in your QB Desktop. All the 6XXX series errors in QB signify that there are issues with your data file and the software can’t connect to it. Talking about QB error 6104, you’ll bump into this error code while hosting a file on the server to create a multi-user mode environment. If you encounter this error on your server, you can face QuickBooks error H202 while accessing the company file on the workstations.

You need not worry about the financial data in your company file; the error doesn’t affect it any more than the damage that has already been done. However, you might face problems while adding new data to the file or sharing it on the multi-user network until the error is disposed of. Don’t worry; we’ll guide you through the troubleshooting techniques, but prior to that, you must acknowledge why the QB error stops you from accessing or sharing the data file.

Plausible Reasons for the Occurrence Error Code -6104 in QuickBooks

You’ll bump into the error message right when you try hosting the company file or retrieving recent transactions from the file. The occurrence of this error is often linked to misconfigured Windows Firewall settings or damaged components on your Windows. Still, you must check out all the possible conditions that can trigger this data file error. We have in detail described all the instances where you encounter QuickBooks error code 6104 on your system-

• Windows Firewall or security software on your PC blocks the connection between the server and the workstations.
• Database Server Manager cannot start due to corrupt.tlg & .nd files or its background processes get hindered by other applications.
• QuickBooks cannot open the company file in multi-user mode due to incorrect hosting settings in the software.
• QuickBooks cannot access the company file from the system drive due to restricted folder permissions.
• QuickBooks cannot open a company file if its format becomes unreadable due to a virus attack on your system or corruption in the hard drive.
• You might also run into this company file error if internal glitches in QuickBooks cause a malfunction while hosting the data file.
• The company file name has more characters than the allowed limit, invalid symbols or spaces between the file name and extension.
• QuickBooks is moved to another location on your system, and the software develops errors while tracing it from the previous location.

Any conditions discussed above instantly develop company file issues in QuickBooks and prevent you from accessing your business data. Proceeding to the next section of this blog will take you through the troubleshooting techniques to resolve the data file error from your PC.

Recommended to read : What is QuickBooks Error Code -6000, -305

Professional Ways to Eliminate QuickBooks Error Code 6104

You’ll have to resolve QuickBooks Desktop error 6104 as soon as possible to share the company file on the multi-user network. Until the error is fixed, you’ll be entirely forbidden from adding new transactions to the company file or working on the file in multiple systems concurrently. The methods we have mentioned below can accurately eliminate the data file issue from your QuickBooks-

Method 1- Download the Most Recent Updates for QB Desktop and Windows OS

You can potentially encounter QuickBooks Desktop error 6104 50 if the software is incompatible with your Windows OS. Compatibility issues due to missing QB or Windows OS updates can limit some of the software functions, which can prove to be a problem while accessing the company files or hosting them for the workstations. Prevent such issues by downloading the latest updates for your QB Desktop and Windows OS using the following steps-

QuickBooks Desktop Updates-

The following steps will help you update QB Desktop to its latest available version-

• Launch your QuickBooks Desktop and straightaway click the Update Available option on the Status Bar.
• If the option is available, click it and then select Install Now.
• If the option isn’t available, go to QB’s Help menu and click Update QuickBooks Desktop.
• Click Update Now and then select Get Updates to download the QB updates package on your system.
• Restart QuickBooks Desktop after the updates are downloaded and click Install Now in the software prompt to initiate the installation.

Windows OS updates-

You can update your Windows OS to its latest version using the following steps-

• Launch the Control Panel window and click the Windows Update option on the left panel.
• Tap Check for updates to see if new updates are available for your Windows.
• Click Download and Install if an update is available and wait until the system reboots automatically after the updates.

If opening or hosting the company file still remains a challenge, proceed with the following method.

Method 2- Launch Your QuickBooks in Admin Mode on the Server

You become liable to face issues while opening or hosting a company file if the software doesn’t have admin privileges to use the system resources and access the files in the system drives without restrictions. You are advised to run your QuickBooks in admin mode on the server to prevent interruptions while accessing or hosting a data file. Here’s how-

• Go to the QuickBooks folder stored C: Users\Public\PublicDocuments\Intuit\QuickBooks20XX.
• Right-click the QuickBooks.exe file inside the QB folder and select the Properties option.
• Go to the Compatibility tab in the Properties window and mark the Run this program as administrator checkbox.
• Save the settings and reopen your QB Desktop to access the data file.

If the error codes pop up again while opening or sharing the data file, check out the next method.

Method 3- Create Windows Firewall Exceptions for QB Desktop

QuickBooks error 6104 50 starts occurring frequently if Windows Firewall stops the software from connecting multiple systems, which is a problem while setting up a multi-user network to host the data file. You can prevent QB from Windows Firewall restrictions by adding new firewall ports as exceptions. Adding new firewall ports also prevents the software’s executable files from getting blocked, which causes the software to malfunction while sharing the company file. Here are the steps to add Windows Firewall ports for QB Desktop-

Step 1- Let’s Add New Exceptions for Your QB Desktop

• Go to the Control Panel using the Gear icon located in the Windows Start menu.
• Open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security window from the menu or use the search bar if you can’t locate it.
• Single-click the Inbound Rule option on the left and select New Rule in the right panel.
• Click Port and tap Next to move to the next window.
• Make sure you select the TCP option among the two (TCP/UDP) and navigate to the Specific Local Ports field. Take the help of this list to enter the port number for your QB version-
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and newer versions: 8019, XXXX

Note: You must know that QuickBooks Desktop 2019, 2020, or newer versions use Dynamic Ports (Allotted during installation) as firewall exceptions. Here’s the correct way to find the Dynamic Port number-
1. Run your QB Database Server Manager and move under the Port Monitor tab.
2. Locate your QB version in the list to find the Port Number assigned to it during installation.

• Tap Next once you are done with the Port Number and click Allow the connection.
• Click Next again and check the software prompt to mark all the user profiles with a single click.
• Create a new rule with any preferable name, and finally tap Finish.
• Now, you must perform all these steps again after replacing Inbound Rules with Outbound Rules.

Step 2- Add New Windows Firewall Exceptions for QB Executable Files Individually

Similar to all the software, QuickBooks also has a set of executable files that run in the background to ensure the accounting tasks are performed efficiently. You must add new Firewall ports for the files individually to safeguard them from Windows Firewall restrictions. Proceed according to the following directions-

• Go to the Windows Defender Firewall settings window from the search panel again and click the Advanced Settings option.
• Tap Inbound Rules and select the New Rule option present in the right section.
• Choose Program, click Next, and select the This Program Path option.
• Tap Browse and check the following table to pick one or more QB executable files-

• Tap Next after specifying the location of the executable files and choose Allow the connection in the following window.
• Click Next again, and do not forget to select all the profiles in the software prompt.
• Tap Next to create a new rule and assign any desired name to it.
• Perform all these steps again after selecting Outbound Rules instead of Inbound Rules.

Step 3- Configure the Antiviruses to Prevent QB files from Getting Blocked

In case you also use other security software (antiviruses, antimalware, etc.) other than the Windows Firewall, it is recommended to ensure that none of the QB executable files are quarantined or blacklisted by the security software. If one or more of the QB executable files in the table above are isolated by the security programs, you’ll face error messages when the .exe file fails to run in the background. For a successful multi-user setup, it would be best to disable/turn off the antiviruses while hosting the company file to ensure all the QB files required for sharing data with the workstations run smoothly on your system.

Step 4- Restart Your PC

Once the firewall ports are added, restart your system to apply the changes with immediate effect.

If QuickBooks Desktop cannot open a company file after fixing the Windows Defender Firewall settings, move to the next solution.

Method 4- Repair the Company File and QuickBooks Desktop With the Help of QuickBooks Tool Hub

QuickBooks error -6104, 50 keeps recurring if the company file is damaged or internal issues cause the software to malfunction. QuickBooks Tool Hub is the best way to repair your data file and get rid of technical bugs in the software. The automated tools in the Tool Hub make it easy to diagnose and sort out the issues with your file or program in the quickest way possible. If you don’t have QB Tool Hub installed on your PC, proceed according to these steps-

1st Step- Install the Latest QB Tool Hub Version on Your PC

• Visit the official Intuit website on your web browser and download the installation file for the latest QB Tool Hub (1.6.0.3).
• Wait until the download is complete and double-click the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file.
• The on-screen instructions will guide you through the installation. Accept the Software License Agreement and wait until QB Tool Hub is fully installed on your system.

2nd Step- Repair Company File with Quick Fix My File Tool

• Run your QB Tool Hub after its installation is complete and click the Company File Issues option.
• Click the Quick Fix My File option and let the automatic tool fix problems in your data file.

3rd Step- Use the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

• Access the Company File Issues menu again and select the Run QuickBooks File Doctor option.
• Click the Browse option to specify the location of the company file that needs to be repaired.
• Select the Check your file option and hit Continue.
• Fill in your admin account details and tap Continue again to run the File Doctor Tool.

4th Step- Use Quick Fix My Program

• Navigate to the Program Problems option in the QB Tool Hub window.
• Click the Quick Fix My Program option and give the tool around a minute to fix the software.
• Restart your computer and open the company file in QuickBooks Desktop.

If the company file error still develops after using the QB Tool Hub, move to the next solution.

Also Read : Resolve QuickBooks Multi User Error H303

Method 5- Utilize the Verify Rebuild Data Tool

QuickBooks error code 6104, 50 can also appear if the data in your company file is damaged, which is why the software fails to open the file. Intuit provides an inbuilt Verify-Rebuild tool in QuickBooks Desktop, which helps you diagnose issues in the data file and remove them by rebuilding the data file. Here are the steps to use the Verify-Rebuild utility-

Verify Tool

• Launch your QB Desktop and access its File menu.
• Click the Utilities option in the list and select Verify Data.
• Let the tool complete the scan and check the message that appears after the process is over.
  • QuickBooks detected no problems with your data- You don’t need to do anything, as there are no issues with your company file.
  • Your data has lost integrity- You’ll have to run the Rebuild Data tool as issues are found in your company file.

Rebuild Tool

• Open your QuickBooks Desktop and go to the File menu.
• Select the Utilities option and click the Rebuild Data option.
• Follow the on-screen instructions when QuickBooks prompts to create a backup.
• Wait until data rebuilding starts automatically and tap OK when you see a Rebuild has completed message on the screen.
• Run the Verify Data tool again to check for any remaining issues.

If QuickBooks is unable to open your company file after running the Verify-Rebuild tool, move to the next solution.

Method 6- Ensure the Hosting Settings in Your QuickBooks are Correct

QuickBooks can also fail to open or host a data file if its hosting settings aren’t favourable for setting up a multi-user network. You must always check that only the server runs in multi-user mode and that all the remaining systems (Workstations) use the single-user mode. If this setup varies on your system and even a single workstation runs in multi-user mode, you’ll see QuickBooks error message 6104 on the server and QuickBooks error H202 on the workstations. Configure the QB hosting settings with these steps-

For Workstation

• Go to all your workstations individually and access the QuickBooks File menu.
• Select Utilities in the drop-down and click Stop Hosting Multi-user Access to switch them to Single-user mode.

For Server

• Open QuickBooks Desktop on the server and access the File menu from the top.
• Click Utilities and further select the Host multi-user access option.
• Restart all the systems and open your company file in multi-user mode on the server.

If arranging the QB hosting settings doesn’t fix the company file error, move to the next solution.

Method 7- Resolve Database Server Manager Issues

Database Server Manager plays a crucial role in setting up the multi-user network and allowing data exchange between the server and workstations. DBSM dealing with issues during startup instantly stops the multi-user network, and QuickBooks error -6104 appears on the server computer. There are some conditions under which DBSM might fail to start or crash abruptly. Apply the following steps to fix all the DBSM issues that can be responsible for this data file error-

Step 1- Restart DBSM Processes

QuickBooks error -6104, 50 can also emerge if other applications on your system interfere with DBSM processes while hosting the company file. If you haven’t done it yet, try restarting the DBSM processes using the task manager as discussed below-

• Go to the Task Manager using the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys and move under the Processes tab.
• Select all the DBSM-related processes like QBDBMgrN.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBW32.exe, etc., and click the End Task option individually for all of them.

Step 2- Rename the Transaction Log and Network Descriptor Files

The Transaction Log file stores the transactions that occur in QB and acts as a substitute for the company file. Whereas the Network Descriptor file is responsible for storing the company file path and ensuring the workstations are able to access its data over the network. You must recreate both these files as DBSM fails to start if any of these files get damaged. Here’s how-

• Press Windows + E and go to C: Users\Public\PublicDocuments\Intuit\QuickBooks20XX.
• Search the folder for .tlg and .nd files and right-click them individually.
• Proceed with Rename in the options list and add ‘.old’ at the end of both files.
• Save them on your system and launch the Database Server Manager.
• Go to the Scan Folders tab and tap Browse to enter the folder location where you renamed the files.
• Hit the Start Scan button and wait until DBSM scans all the folder contents.

Step 3- Recreate the QBDataServiceUserXX Account

QuickBooks DBSM automatically creates a Windows account whenever you install the program on your computer. DBSM faces problems while setting up a multi-user network if the account gets damaged or doesn’t have admin privileges to access the system files. You need to recreate the DBSM account using the following steps-

• Go to the Control Panel by selecting the Settings option in the Windows Start menu.
• Click the User Accounts option and select Remove User Account.
• Select QBDataServiceUserXX according to your QB version and click Delete.
• Relaunch QB Desktop and tap OK when the software prompts to run the DBSM.
• Scan the data file in the Scan Folders tab to recreate the DBSM account on your Windows.

Step 4- Configure QuickBooksDBXX Service

Database Server Manager might develop problems if its services aren’t configured on your system. Refer to these steps-

• Go to Run by pressing the Windows + X keys simultaneously and type ‘services.msc’ in the text column.
• Search QuickBooksDBXX in the Services window according to your QB version. Take the help of the following list if required:
  • QuickBooks 2018: QuickBooksDB28
  • QuickBooks 2019: QuickBooksDB29
  • QuickBooks 2020: QuickBooksDB30
• Double-click QuickBooksDBXX in the services list and set the Startup Type to Automatic.
• Ensure the Service Status is set to Running or Started and go to the Recovery tab.
• Go to the First Failure drop-down and select Restart the Service. Then, set the same for the Second Failure and Subsequent Failures.
• Tap OK to save your changes and restart your computer.

If fixing the DBSM issues doesn’t change anything, and you still run into the company file error, move to the next solution.

Method 8- Ensure QuickBooks has Sufficient Permissions to Access the Company File Folder

You won’t be able to open your company file if QuickBooks doesn’t have appropriate permissions to access its folder or the file is missing from its default location. You must always store your data file in its default location initially set in the software. Begin by moving your file to its default location and then configure the folder permissions as shown in the following steps-

Step 1- Move Your Company File to its Default Location

• Single-click the search panel (taskbar) and enter your company file name after putting an ‘*’ mark to narrow the search.
• Go to the data file location (if not default) from the search results and right-click on your company file.
• Select the Copy option and go to C: Users\Public\PublicDocuments\Intuit\QuickBooks20XX\CompanyFiles.
• Press the Ctrl + V keys together to Paste the company file there.

Step 2- Configure the Windows Permissions

• Go to the QuickBooks folder on File Explorer and right-click it.
• Select the Properties option in the list and move to the Security tab.
• Choose your user account from the list and tap Edit.
• Single-click the Full Control checkbox to allow all the permissions.
• Tap Apply and then OK to save your changes.
• Reboot your system and open the company file in multi-user mode.

If the company file error persists after configuring the folder permissions, move to the next solution.

Method 9- Ensure the Company File is in the Correct Format and Change its Name

Company file errors in QuickBooks Desktop can also develop if the file is stored in encrypted/compressed format on your system or has some abnormalities in its name. You need to first check its format and then remove invalid symbols from its name, as discussed in the following steps-

Step 1- Check if the Company File is Encrypted/Compressed

• Right-click your data file and select the Properties option.
• Go to the General tab and select the Advanced option.
• Ensure that the Compress contents to save disk space or Encrypt contents to secure data options aren’t marked.

Step 2- Remove Abnormalities from the Company File Name

• Go to the company file folder and right-click on your data file (.qbw).
• Select the Rename option and ensure-
  • The company file name isn’t too long.
  • The company file name doesn’t contain symbols like $, <, >, &, etc.
  • There is no space between the data file name and its extension.
• Save the data file if you make any changes and try opening it in your QB Desktop.

If the company file error reappears in QB Desktop, check out the next solution.

You may read also : How do I fix error 6000 83 in QuickBooks desktop?

Method 10- Fix the .NET Framework Settings in Your Windows

.NET Framework is a crucial Windows component used to run and develop applications supported in the OS. In case the .NET Framework isn’t properly installed, or its settings aren’t set correctly on your system, there is a high chance that you’ll encounter issues while opening a company file in QuickBooks Desktop. We advise you to seek professional help to fix the damaged Windows components, as they can become a reason for the corruption of your OS if not fixed carefully. You can manually toggle the .NET Framework settings using the following steps-

• Open the Control Panel from the Windows Start menu and go to the Programs and Features option.
• Click Uninstall a Program and tap Turn Windows Features on or off.
• Search for .NET Framework on the list and configure the settings for both .NET Framework 4.5 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 according to the following conditions.
  • If the .NET Framework 4.5 (or later) & .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 checkboxes aren’t marked-
    • Mark the checkboxes with a single click to turn on .NET Framework and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
    • Click OK to save your changes and restart your system.
  • If the .NET Framework 4.5 & .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 checkboxes are marked-
    • Unmark the checkboxes to turn off .NET Framework 4.5 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
    • Save your changes by clicking the OK option and restart your system.
    • Go to the .NET Framework settings again and turn on both .NET Framework 4.5 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 by selecting the checkboxes.
• Close the Control Panel window and open the company file in multi-user mode.

These are the techniques you must apply to fix QuickBooks error -6104, 50 that doesn’t let you access a company file or host it on the multi-user network. We hope the techniques are effective in dealing with the issue and that you can now access your business data in QuickBooks without any problems.

Winding Up!

This blog shares all the relevant info about QuickBooks Error 6104, which primarily troubles you when opening a company file or sharing it with workstations over a multi-user network. In this blog, you’ll find a detailed explanation of why the company file error develops and the correct rectification approach. In case you find the techniques time-consuming or complex to execute, feel free to contact our team of QB professionals at 1-855-542-9309 for hassle-free troubleshooting of the error from your PC.

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Erica watson

Erica Watson is writing about accounting and bookkeeping for over 7+ years, making even the difficult technical topics easy to understand. She is skilled at creating content about popular accounting and tax softwares such as QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, Quicken, etc. Erica’s knowledge of such softwares allows her to create articles and guides that are both informative and easy to follow. Her writing builds trust with readers, thanks to her ability to explain things clearly while showing a real understanding of the industry.