Before You Begin

This guide assumes you have administrator access to the server/network hosting the company file.

Overview

45 min
Estimated Time
Advanced
Difficulty
As Needed
Maintenance

What You’ll Learn

  • Diagnosing and resolving H101, H202, H303, and H505 errors
  • Configuring the QuickBooks Database Server Manager
  • Setting up firewall exceptions for QuickBooks Desktop
  • Using the QuickBooks Connection Diagnostic Tool

1. Understanding H-series Errors

H-series errors indicate issues with multi-user access to the company file over a network. They prevent workstations from connecting to the server hosting the QuickBooks Desktop file.

Required Actions

  • Verify network connectivity
  • Ensure QuickBooks Database Server Manager is running
  • Check firewall and antivirus settings

Common Causes

  • Incorrect hosting settings on workstations/server
  • Firewall or antivirus blocking communication
  • Corrupted .ND or .TLG configuration files
  • Issues with the QuickBooks Database Server Manager service

2. Key Tools & Methods

You have specific tools available to diagnose and fix these errors.

Method A: QuickBooks Database Server Manager

This tool is installed on the server hosting your company file.

Pros:
  • Essential for multi-user mode.
  • Scans company files and creates .ND files.
  • Manages database connections.
Cons:
  • Requires server access.
  • Can be complex to configure initially.
  • Does not directly fix firewall issues.

Method B: QuickBooks Connection Diagnostic Tool

This free utility helps identify and resolve network configuration problems.

Expert Tip: Always back up your company file before making significant network or configuration changes. Many issues stem from improper file hosting or corrupted network descriptor files.

3. Step-by-Step: Resolving H-errors

Here’s a high-level workflow for tackling H-series errors.

Here is a sample configuration snippet for a company file path.

{
  "company_file_path": "\\\\SERVERNAME\\QuickBooksData\\MyCompanyFile.qbw",
  "hosting_status": "active",
  "database_server_version": "2024.1",
  "port_range": "55378-55382"
}

4. Detailed Troubleshooting Steps

  1. 1

    Verify Hosting Settings

    On all workstations (not the server), go to File > Utilities > Stop Hosting Multi-User Access. On the server, ensure hosting is enabled (File > Utilities > Host Multi-User Access).

  2. 2

    Configure Firewall Exceptions

    Add QuickBooks Desktop and the Database Server Manager ports (e.g., 8019, 55378-55382 for QB 2022 and newer) to your Windows Firewall’s inbound and outbound rules. Consult your specific QuickBooks version documentation for exact ports.

  3. 3

    Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager

    On the server, open the Database Server Manager, navigate to the “Scan Folders” tab, add the folder containing your company file, and click “Scan”. This creates/updates the essential .ND and .TLG files.

  4. 4

    Use Connection Diagnostic Tool

    Download and run the QuickBooks Connection Diagnostic Tool. It can automatically diagnose and fix various network and firewall issues related to multi-user connectivity. Run it on both the server and a workstation.

Common Error: Corrupted .ND or .TLG files

If you continue to experience H-errors after these steps, try renaming your company file’s .ND and .TLG files (e.g., companyfile.qbw.nd.old). QuickBooks will recreate them when the Database Server Manager scans or a user opens the file.

5. Testing and Validation

Validation Checklist

  • Attempt to open the company file in multi-user mode from a workstation
  • Verify all users can access the file simultaneously
  • Check for any error messages during access or navigation
  • Ensure performance is acceptable in multi-user mode

Need Help?

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