QuickBooks Cannot Communicate with the Company File [Fixed]

In recent times, many users have reported Error Message: QuickBooks Cannot communicate with the company file due to a firewall in QuickBooks software. This error code indicates that the network firewall is interrupting the connection. This technical bug usually appears when a user tries to connect to the network company file, or when updating the operating system or the software to the latest version. You may see the following error message on your desktop screen. This can be very frustrating and can halt business activities. If you are also facing this error, reading this article can be of great help. To assist you in rectifying this issue, we have come up with this post, where we will discuss the factors causing the issue and some troubleshooting steps that can be taken to resolve it.

What leads to QuickBooks being unable to communicate with the company file due to a firewall issue?

QuickBooks error cannot communicate with the file due to the firewall can be seen due to several reasons. The most common ones are illustrated below:

• You could come across this error if a firewall’s updated version is installed in any network.
• If the connection of a server gets lost and is not set up properly.
• Wrong DNS settings can be another annoying factor.
• If the QuickBooks database server manager stops running on any server, then you could stumble upon such errors.

Read more :- QuickBooks Error 350

Methods to Resolve Error: QuickBooks Cannot communicate with the company file due to firewall

To get back to work and get rid of this annoying error, here are a few solutions that you can implement. Let us have a look at those methods one by one:

Method 1: Update QuickBooks desktop to the latest

If the QuickBooks software is not updated to the latest version, then the error is likely to occur. It is recommended to download and install the latest release of QuickBooks desktop. The error is expected to get resolved with this solution, but if not, then move to the next method.

Method 2: Download QuickBooks tools hub and run QuickBooks file doctor

1. The first step is to close the QuickBooks desktop.
2. Download the QuickBooks tool hub from Intuit.
3. Open the downloaded file to begin the installation process.
4. Once the tool is downloaded, open and run it.
5. In the tool, spot the QuickBooks file doctor tool, which will help the QuickBooks user automatically fix the error.
6. Run the tool and let it diagnose and troubleshoot the error.

Method 3: Checking the firewall settings

Reviewing the firewall settings is recommended to get rid of this type of error. Ensure that QuickBooks has permission to go through it. After performing the required steps to check the firewall settings, if you can open QuickBooks and the company file over the network, then everything is fixed, or else another method should be adopted.

Method 4: Setting up folder permissions

Ensure that the folder holding the company file is set up to share the files over the network. This can be done by carrying out the steps below:

• Verifying that permissions are set correctly.
  • Open the Windows start menu and open file explorer.
  • Right-click the folder having the company file and select properties.
  • Select the advanced option on the security tab.
  • Select QBDataServiceUserXX and select edit.
  • Set the following settings to allow:
    • Traverse Folder/Execute File
    • List Folder/Read Data
    • Read Attributes
    • Read Extended Attributes
    • Create Files/Write Data
    • Create Folders/Append Data
    • Write Attributes
    • Write Extended Attributes
    • Read Permissions

If the folder permissions aren’t set correctly:

• Right-click the folder having the company file and then choose properties.
• Choose the security option and hit edit.
• Select QBDataServiceUserXX, then opt for the full control tab, and hit allow.
• Finally, select apply and hit the Ok button.

Read more :- QuickBooks Error 6150

Method 5: Running QuickBooks database server manager on the server, from the QuickBooks Tools Hub

The server system is the one that stores the company file or files. The systems other than the server system are connected to the network and are named workstations. You can run the QuickBooks database server manager to fix the issue. The steps involved in this process are as follows:

1. Select network issues.
2. Choose the QuickBooks database server manager. If QuickBooks isn’t installed on the server, you will be asked to do that.
3. Inside the database server manager, select start scan, if the company file folder is displayed.
4. The QuickBooks database server manager will repair the firewall permissions automatically.
5. Opt for the close option when the scan process ends.

Also, after completing the process, open the folder you scanned and ensure that there is an .ND file in the folder.

Method 6: Turning off hosting on the workstation

Ensure that the host multi-user access option is off on the workstations. The server system should be the only one hosting. The steps to be followed are as follows:

1. Open QuickBooks on one of the workstations.
2. Avoid opening the company file and select the file menu and hover over the utility option.
3. If the host multi-user access option is available, avoid selecting it and move to the next workstation. As it might not be causing the issue.
4. If the stop hosting multi-user access option is visible, then click on it.

Once you have checked all the workstations, go to the server computer and reset the hosting settings. The steps to be followed are:

1. Open QuickBooks on the server system.
2. Open the file menu and hover over the utilities tab.
3. If the host multi-user access option is available, then click on it. Repeat this process and select stop hosting multi-user access. This will reset the multi-user mode.
4. Repeat the process once again and select host multi-user access.

Final Words

The methods and steps discussed above are expected to fix Error: QuickBooks Cannot communicate with the company file due to firewall to a great extent. However, if none of the methods work, then the only option left is to consult a professional by calling our QuickBooks data services support team at +1 888-704-1357 and ask them for technical guidance in getting rid of all the accounting-related annoying errors.

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