What is QuickBooks Error H202? Here’s How to Settle it

 

Are you often get stuck when switching to multi-user mode due to QuickBooks Error H202? No worries! There’s no doubt to say that QuickBooks is a multi-dimensional accounting software that allows users to work on single-user and multi-user modes for flexible working and seamless switching between both the different modes. This is a common issue that emerges when you try to run QuickBooks in multi-user mode or QuickBooks fails to open a company file that is saved on another system. Damaged or corrupted company files and Inactive Database Server Manager both are the most apparent reasons for the same. In this write-up, we’ll discuss how and why this company file error strikes out in your system and hinders your daily accounting operations. 

QuickBooks Error H202: A Brief Overview 

Error Code H202 usually pops up on your screen when opening your company file in multi-user mode or when you try to switch from single-user mode to multi-user mode. This error may also be seen when a workstation fails to access a company file stored on another system. When the issue takes place, it comes up with the following error message stating, 

Error code: H202

“This company file is on another computer, and QuickBooks needs some help connecting.”

Reasons why you come across QuickBooks Error H202!

Error Code H202 typically occurs when the QuickBooks Desktop tries to establish a connection to the company file but can’t communicate with your server due to causes highlighted below:

1. Incorrect setup of the hosting settings can lead to such an error in QuickBooks.

2. This issue may arise when the exchange of company data between QuickBooks and the server is blocked by the system firewall.

3. DNS settings may be inappropriately configured, contributing to the same error.

4. You may encounter the same error if the QuickBooks Desktop is unable to get the IP address of the Host system or server hosting the company file.

5. Error H202 also shows up due to some critical QuickBooks services like the QBCFMonitor and QuickBooksDBXX not running in the background.

6. QuickBooks Database Server Manager is unresponsive.

7. The Network (.nd) file might be damaged.

8. Another reason is if the QuickBooks services are inactive or disabled on the server. 

Indicators of QuickBooks Error Code H202!

To identify the H202 error, let’s have a look at the below-listed signs and symptoms for the same:

• You are not able to switch to the multi-user mode when your system throws this error.

• Even after consistent attempts, you can’t open a company file located on another system.

• QuickBooks screen may stop responding and turn blank. 

• Certain tabs in the QuickBooks might not work. 

• QuickBooks has become slow and freezes occasionally or stops working for a few seconds while running.

• Your Windows is performing slowly and shut down suddenly.

Effective Methods to Troubleshoot and Fix QuickBooks Error H202!

Before moving ahead with the rectifications, make sure that you log in to QuickBooks as a Windows administrator. Else, it may get you into several company file-related errors. Below is a list of some methods that will help you to deal with the QuickBooks Error Code H202 with much more ease. Here’s how:

Method 1 – Verify the QuickBooks Services on your Server 

1. To start off, open the Windows Start Menu on your server computer.

2. Now, type Run into the search bar and open Run.

3. You need to enter services.msc into the Run window and then press the Enter key.

4. Browse and click twice on QuickBooksDBXX on the list. XX indicates your version of QuickBooks.

5. After this, choose Automatic for the Startup Type.

6. Verify that the Service status is either Running or Started. If it’s not, click Start.

7. You must hit the Recovery tab.

8. Tap on Restart the Service from all these dropdown menus: First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures.

9. Click Apply and then press OK to save the changes you made.

10. Repeat the same steps for QBCFMonitorService.

11. Once you’re done, open QuickBooks on each workstation. Navigate to the File menu and then select Switch to Multi-user Mode. If everything opens correctly, the problem has been rooted out. 

Method 2: Configure system firewall settings

Your system firewall may at times block data exchange between QuickBooks and your server. In such cases, you are supposed to perform the following steps to configure QuickBooks firewall settings to ensure unhindered communication between QB and the server.

1. At first, You need to create exceptions in the settings of your system firewall.

2. Now, set up the system firewall permissions and then open QuickBooks on all of your workstations. 

3. When you’re ready, head to the file menu and then choose Switch to multi-user mode.

Method 3: Ping the Server from a Workstation 

Step 1: Enable Network Discovery on your server computer 

1. The very first step is to open the Windows Start menu on your server and workstations.

2. Next, type Network into the search bar and open Network and Sharing Center.

3. You must choose Change Advanced sharing settings.

4. Be sure that Turn on network discovery is chosen in the Network Discovery and File and Printer sharing sections.

Step 2: Find your server name from your server

1. In the first place, head to the Windows Start menu on your server computer.

2. Now, enter Run into the search and open Run.

3. You need to type CMD into the Run window and then hit the Enter tab.

4. In the CMD window, you are supposed to enter ipconfig/all and then click Enter.

5. Locate the Host Name in the Windows IP Configuration section. Your server name is on your right.

6. Once you’re able to get it, write down the hostname, or copy it to a Word document so you can access it easily.

Method 4: Test Network Connectivity 

1. In the inception, hold and press Windows + R keys to open the Run window in the system where you receive QuickBooks error code H202.

2. After this, enter CMD in the box and press the OK button.

3. Now, you have to ping your server from your computer.

4. Simply, type ping_server name and click the Enter key. It is to be noted that you need to keep space between ping and your server name as well as avoid including the brackets around the server name when you perform the steps. 

5. If the response you receive is slow or you lost a packet, then there is a possibility to get issues with the network, and a quick repair is needed.

Method 5: Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

1. In this section, you are required to download and install QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. 

2. Now, scan the folder where the data file is located. 

3. Once done, write down the number of IP addresses and network interfaces. 

4. Turn on the QuickBooks ports if the firewall status section has an Open Ports tab. 

5. Proceed to Test the data file connectivity.

6. To finish, try opening the data file and verify whether the issue has been fixed or not. 

Method 6: Add your Server to Windows Hosts File

1. To begin with, close all Windows on your system.

2. After that, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc or C:\Windows\Syswow64\Drivers\Etc on the server.

3. You need to click twice on the Hosts file and choose Notepad If prompted for a program. 

4. Manually enter your IP address and then the name of your computer. For the server: you need to type the IP and name of the computer. For a computer: must type the IP of the server and the computer name. 

5. To separate the computer name and IP address, hit click on the Tab key on your keyboard instead of the Space bar.

6. At last, try opening QuickBooks in multi-user mode and check if QuickBooks error H202 still stands on its ground or not. 

Method 7:  Create a New Folder for Your QBW File

1. First of all, make a new folder on the server computer.

2. Next, you need to make changes in the permissions for this new folder and QuickBooks company files to be shared and set up. 

3. Afterward, press CTRL + C to copy the QuickBooks Database (QBW) file to the new folder.

4. Finally, open your company file in multi-user mode again so that you can see the error status.

Method 8: Install and Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your server

1. The initial step is to head to the Windows Start menu on your system. 

2. Now, type the word Database in the search field. 

3. In the list, double-tap on the QuickBooks Database Server Manager icon to access it. 

4. When you’re inside the Database server manager, look for the folder that has company files stored. You can also try the Browse feature to locate this folder. 

5. The next step is to click the Start Scan button. 

6. To repair the system firewall settings automatically, you can use QuickBooks Database Server Manager. 

7. Once the scan is over, hit the Close tab. 

8. Open the QuickBooks Desktop on each workstation where the error displays. 

9. Furthermore, hover over the File menu and Switch to multi-user mode. 

10. If you’re using your server computer as a workstation make sure to check it too. 

Method 9: Make use of the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

1. In the beginning, you must download and install the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool. 

2. Now, choose Company File Issues from the tool hub. 

3. Select Run QuickBooks File Doctor. It may take a while to open. Always remember that if it doesn’t open, look for QuickBooks Desktop File Doc and open it manually. 

4. Under QuickBooks File Doctor, click on your company file from the dropdown menu. If you’re unable to view your file, tap on Browse and search your file. 

5. You must select Check your file and then hit the Continue tab.

6. And lastly, enter your QuickBooks admin password and then press Next.

Method 10: Change the location of your company file

1. Firstly, create a new folder to store the company file, preferably in Drive C: on the system.

2. Thereafter, select the Company file and the .TLG file from the Existing company file folder and then press the Ctrl + C keys to copy.

3. Navigate to the New company file folder and click the Ctrl+V keys to paste the company file.

4. In the end, check if you’re able to open the file in the Multi-user mode or not. 

Last Words!

Still, experiencing several hindrances while switching to multi-user mode and unable to repair QuickBooks Error H202? It’s alright as our QuickBooks Support Team is here to clear all your doubts in one go. So if, you find this issue so annoying or frustrating and need some professional assistance then feel free to share your concern with us. We’ll give our best to resolve your problem without any further complications.