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Resolve QuickBooks Error 6190 (Company File Doesn’t Open)

QuickBooks Error 6190 indicates an issue when a user tries to access the company file. Company files contain essential data and not being able to access it can harm the user’s work and delay their routine tasks. However, things won’t go out of control if you follow this article till the end and execute the instructions step-wise.

Thousands of small- and medium-sized business owners rely on the flexible accounting program QuickBooks. It has cutting-edge features and technology that let its users easily manage and monitor their work while achieving their professional objectives. However, this cutting-edge accounting software occasionally experiences issues that may necessitate business owners to pause their work. 

Users regularly mention QuickBooks error Code 6190, -816 as one such error. Technical errors like QuickBooks Error Code 6190 and 816 should be resolved right away to prevent further problems. The message “QuickBooks was unable to open the company file on the hosted machine” appears when this error code appears. The message informs the user that access to the QuickBooks company file is denied.

What is QuickBooks Error -6190 -816?

While using QuickBooks to manage your day-to-day accounting operations, you may receive QuickBooks error code 6190 on your screen abruptly. The error message reads, “QuickBooks was unable to open the Company file (path) located on the host computer.” Additionally, the error message suggests you close the application on the arrival of the error. You can identify the problem with the following symptoms of QuickBooks error code (-6190, -816) as given below:

  • An error message with QuickBooks error code 6190 appears all of a sudden and crashes the active Window.
  • Slow performance of Windows, especially on the mouse or keyword inputs.
  • Frequent freezing of the computer on running the same program due to QuickBooks error -6190.
  • The error can also crash your system.
  • QuickBooks error 6190 816 Error: Multi-user mode not working.

You may also see: How to solve QuickBooks Error 6073

List of Common Reasons that Trigger QuickBooks Error 6190 and 816

Before we troubleshoot this company file access error, it is crucial to understand the underlying triggers given below –

  1. This error can often arise when users try to access their company file using an outdated QBDT version.
  2. Incorrect hosting settings wherein another user is trying to access the company file in a single hosting mode can also evoke QB error 6190.
  3. Issues with the network or misconfigured firewall settings can prevent users from accessing the file over the network.
  4. A damaged or corrupted company file, data integrity issues, and a damaged file folder are other major triggers.
  5. If essential configuration files, like the Network Data file, aren’t working correctly or are damaged, file access errors can occur. 
  6. A damaged, corrupted, or incorrectly installed QuickBooks program can prevent users from opening the company data files. 
  7. There are insufficient permissions to share the QB company files over the network, which can cause this access error code.

What happens when you troubleshoot QuickBooks error 6190 and 816 incorrectly?

Before you start debugging the QuickBooks error code 6190 816, make sure that the below-enlisted outcomes are just for awareness purposes, So there is no guarantee that this will surely happen:

  • The whole multi-user system settings get reset due to QuickBooks error code 6190 and 816 troubleshooting.
  • Company file transaction lost and this can happen partially as well as entirely the company file data get flash.
  • You may experience QuickBooks keeps crashing usually while rectifying QuickBooks error 6190, 816.
  • QuickBooks Error -6190 may also lead the QuickBooks backup failed problem.

Note: While you’re troubleshooting, it is better to connect with our experts via live chat or Dial 1.855.542.9309 to avoid unexpected errors.

Effective Solutions to Terminate QuickBooks Error Codes 6190 and 816

After understanding the main triggers, the next step is to run the troubleshooting process using the detailed solutions mentioned below – 

Update QuickBooks Desktop
Update QuickBooks Desktop

The first solution is to ensure your current application is updated; otherwise, it can cause compatibility problems while accessing the company file. If the application is outdated, download and install the latest QBDT updates before accessing the file to fix QuickBooks error 6190.

However, if the error still appears and you aren’t able to work on your file, follow the steps in the next troubleshooting solution.

Having temporary and junk folders can cause errors to emerge in QB. Resolve them using the disk cleanup tool:

  • Launch the Run command by searching run in the start menu or pressing Windows + R keys.
  • Ensure you run the system as an admin to accomplish this solution.
  • Type cleanmgr in the run window and press Enter.
  • The disk cleaner window will open where you need to choose the local drive to clear.
  • Wait for the scan to end, and you will be left with the files to erase.
  • Delete them and try accessing the QB company file now.

Since the 6190 error occurs due to network issues, sometimes, just resetting your full system can do the trick. 

Note: If you use QuickBooks Enterprise Hosting or one of Intuit’s affiliated hosting providers, contact Intuit or the hosting provider to restart the service. 

  1. Firstly, restart your server computer (the one hosting your company files) and each workstation (the other computers connected to the network that don’t host your company files).
  2. Next, open QuickBooks Desktop on your server computer and each workstation and access your company files. 

If the company file access issues keep appearing, move to the next solution to remove the error code. 

After updating QuickBooks and restarting the PC, you must ensure your company file is in good condition and isn’t damaged or corrupted; otherwise, QB error 6190 is bound to occur. If the file is damaged, you can run the QuickBooks File Doctor tool to initiate a company file repair using the detailed instructions below – 

  1. Start by downloading the latest QuickBooks Tool Hub version (1.6.0.5) on your PC, then follow the onscreen prompts to install it and open the program’s homepage. 
  2. From the QB Tool Hub homepage, run the Quick Fix My File tool under the Company File Issues tab to run a file repair and wait for the tool to finish.
    quick fix my file
  3. Once the tool stops, check if you still encounter QuickBooks errors -6190 -816 while accessing the file; if yes, then move back to the Company File Issues tab.
  4. Finally, run the QuickBooks File Doctor tool utility to scan the company data files, fix the data corruption, and rerun QuickBooks. 

After the process ends, recheck the status of the company file access error, and if it persists, move to the next resolution step to resolve it. 

When essential configuration files that are needed to access the company files are damaged or corrupted, it can lead to error codes on your screen. Thus, you must rename these files to repair them before accessing your company file in the following manner –

  1. Begin by navigating to the QuickBooks company file folder, then search for the files with the *.ND and *.TLG extensions with the same name as your company file, right-click each of them.
  2. If you can’t locate these files, check the Windows OS settings to ensure hidden files and folders are enabled, and right-click the file once found. 
  3. Finally, select the Rename option to add *.OLD at the end of the file name, hit Enter to save the new name, and rerun QB Desktop. 

Now, try accessing your company files again, but if QuickBooks company file error 6190 persists, follow the steps in the next troubleshooting solution. 

The main reason why the 6190 error occurs is when another user tries to access the company file on the network while being in a single-user mode. Thus, you can fix this error by ensuring the multi-user mode is correctly set on the server PC in the following manner – 

  1. Move to the File menu from the QBDT homepage and select the Switch to Multi-User Mode option from the Utilities tab. 
  2. If this option is already selected, make no changes and open QuickBooks on each of your workstations.
  3. Ensure the workstations are not hosting your company file and are running in QuickBooks Single-User Mode from the file menu.

Once done, try accessing your company file over the network, but if QuickBooks error 6190 816 persists, follow the steps in the next solution. 

The QuickBooks Database Server Manager service keeps your multi-user network stable; thus, you must run this utility in the following manner to resolve the error – 

  1. In the QuickBooks Tool Hub, select Network Issues, then click QuickBooks Database Server Manager, and you’ll get a prompt to install QuickBooks on your server if it isn’t already.
  2. Select Start Scan or click Browse to go to the location of your company file, and once the scan starts, the service will auto-repair your firewall permissions.
  3. After the database manager service stops, click Close and open QuickBooks Desktop on your server PC and other workstations.

However, if you are still unable to access your company file and QuickBooks error 6190, 816 persists, implement the steps in the next solution to fix it. 

This company file error can arise due to problems with your company file or a damaged application. To understand where the underlying issues arise, you must try opening a sample file using the extensive steps below – 

  1. Open QuickBooks, then select Open a Sample File from the No Company Open window and choose a file from the list of sample company files.
  2. If the sample file doesn’t open, your QuickBooks installation is damaged/corrupted, which can be fixed by running a QB repair (see the solution below).
  3. On the contrary, If the sample file opens, you must repair your company file (use QB File Doctor) or fix the damaged file folder (see Solution 9 below). 

Now, based on the results while opening the sample file, move to Solution 8 or 9 and follow the troubleshooting steps. 

If the sample file isn’t accessible in the above step, you must repair the damaged QuickBooks Desktop program from the QB Tool Hub using the detailed process below – 

  1. From the QB Tool Hub homepage, go to the Program Problems tab and run the Quick Fix My Program tool to initiate a repair and fix the program problems.
    Quick Fix my program
  2. After running the tool, access the company file and check the status of QuickBooks error code 6190 and 816​ to ensure it is dismissed. 
  3. If the company file error persists, run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool from the Installation Issues section to scan and repair the damaged installation.
    QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

Once the tool stops running, rerun QuickBooks, but if you can’t access your company file, follow the next resolution step to counter the error. 

If the sample file is accessible, try repairing your company file, but if you still can’t access it despite it being in good condition, then chances are your file folder is damaged. To fix QuickBooks Desktop error 6190, copy the company file to another location (your desktop) and access it from there using the instructions below – 

  1. Open the QB company file folder, locate and right-click the file with *.QBW extension, then click Copy and Paste it on an empty space on your desktop.
  2. Further, hold the Ctrl key, open QuickBooks to access the No Company Open window, then click Open or Restore an Existing Company and open your desktop.
  3. Lastly, find the QBDT company file you recently copied and check if you can access it from the new location. 

However, if the company file doesn’t open from the new location, you can try restoring a backup version by following the next troubleshooting solution. 

If repairing the current company file version and changing the file location don’t help, you can restore the backup version to recreate the company file in the following manner – 

  1. Move the backup file to the local hard drive, open QuickBooks, then go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
  2. Further, click the Restore a Backup Copy option, select Next, then browse your PC for the backup file with the *.qbb extension and select a folder to save the restored copy. Don’t save the restored version in the same folder as the company file, and ensure both files have distinct names to avoid overwriting and confusion. 
  3. Finally, select Open, click Save, and if you get any message related to data overwriting, choose the preferred option and don’t overwrite the data unless sure. 

After restoring the backup copy, you can try accessing the recreated company file to ensure the file access issues are fixed. However, if QuickBooks error message 6190 816 keeps occurring, follow the next troubleshooting step to resolve it. 

If none of these solutions help, the next best resort is to terminate the QB processing before opening the company file using the step-by-step process below – 

  1. Sign in as an Admin user on the server PC, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager, and check out the processes for all users.
  2. Further, click Users, right-click each QB process (like QBW32.exe, qbupdate.exe, and QBDBMgr.exe), and click End Task to remove them individually. 
    End all QuickBooks process

After the processes are terminated, rerun QB, but if the file access error continues, follow the steps in the next resolution process to tackle it. 

You must set proper file-sharing permissions in Windows 10 to access your QB company files over the network using the steps below –

  1. Firstly, open Windows File Explorer, then locate and right-click the company file folder and select Properties. 
  2. Click the Sharing option, select Share Add, then choose the corresponding QBDataServiceUserXX and select Full Control as the permission level for users.

Now, reaccess the company file, but if error code 6190 in QuickBooks persists, move to the next troubleshooting solution to counter it. 

Problems while accessing your QB company file over the network can result from firewall or anti-virus obstructions. To fix the company file access error, you must reconfigure the Windows firewall and antivirus setup, remove the blockages, and rerun QB to open the data files to ensure the error is removed.

This post describes the steps to QuickBooks Error 6190 in a comprehensive manner. However, if you have any doubts related to the steps or error endures, get them answered by dialing our QuickBooks Helpline Number 1-(855)-542-9309. Our ProAdvisor Solutions experts will guide you in troubleshooting error 6190.

What are the reasons for the QuickBooks Error 6190?

*. Damaged Network descriptor File.
*. Damaged company file.
*. Firewall Blocking Quickbooks Program from running.
*. Multi-user mode not configured properly.

What are the common signs and symptoms to notice while getting QB error 6190?

The following signs and symptoms will help you identify the 6190 error while opening your company file –
1. User sign-in to their company file might lead QuickBooks to freeze up and then show a message about its inability to access the company file.
2. You might get an error message stating that another user in QuickBooks is already using the file you are trying to access
3. QuickBooks might crash or stop responding while accessing the company data file over the network.
4. Your PC or other applications in the system might run slowly and take longer to respond to your commands.

How can I permanently fix QuickBooks error codes 6190 and 816?

You can resolve QB error 6190 by ensuring the multi-user mode is running properly, and the network is configured. Additionally, fixing a damaged company file or QB program can also help counter this company file access error code.

Can reinstalling a fresh version help fix error code 6190 816 in QuickBooks Desktop?

Yes, reinstalling QuickBooks using the Clean Install Tool can help resolve the installation problems that might prevent users from accessing the company file, which can fix the 6190 error.