The unrecoverable errors can occur while updating QuickBooks payroll, opening/closing QuickBooks company file, saving the backup (.QBB) file, or opening the QBW file on a workstation in multi-user environment. When this error occurs, you may fail to access your company file data, view the reconciliation forms and reports, save the estimates or invoices, etc. The complete error message would look like this:
The error message displays a 10-digit error code (e.g., 13730 84631), which can help identify the specific cause of the unrecoverable error. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes behind the unrecoverable error in QuickBooks and the troubleshooting solutions to resolve it.
Causes behind QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error
Below are some of the reasons why you might be facing the unrecoverable error in QuickBooks:
- QBCF monitor service is running on a workstation
- QuickBooks application is missing the latest updates
- Important Windows files are missing or damaged
- The program code is corrupted/damaged
- Data damage/corruption in company file
- Using incorrect path to access the company file
Ways to Fix QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error
You can follow the below-given solutions to resolve the QuickBooks unrecoverable errors. First, let’s start with some basic troubleshooting methods.
- Stop QuickBooks from Opening All Windows at Startup: If you’re encountering this error on startup, then this might happen due to large-sized reports or if multiple startup applications are opened on your system. So, you can try opening your file with all windows closed. This will reload the company file without reloading any previous reports or active tasks. To do this, open QuickBooks, select your company file from No Company Open, press and hold the ALT key, and then click Open. Alternatively, you can close conflicting startup programs on your system.
- Use a Different QuickBooks User: You can create a new user profile and use it to access the company file. For this, go to Setup Users and Passwords, and add a new user. Once the new user profile is created, log in using the new credentials. This workaround helps prevent issues caused by corrupted user profiles.
- Move Company File to a Different Folder: The unrecoverable error may also occur due to incorrect company file path or damaged folder in which the file is stored. You can move your company file to a different folder. To create a new folder, right-click anywhere on your Desktop and then select New > Folder. Next, go to the company file folder, copy the company file, and paste it into the new folder.
If the above workarounds fail to fix the QuickBooks unrecoverable error, then follow the below methods.
Method 1: Check and Update QuickBooks Desktop Application
The unrecoverable errors in QuickBooks can occur if the version of your QuickBooks application is not updated. You can open the product Information window to get the information related to the current version and release of your QuickBooks. To open this window, press F2/Ctrl+1. If the QuickBooks is not updated, then follow the below steps to update it:
- Close your company files and exit the QuickBooks.
- Again, open the QuickBooks (Right-click the application icon and click Run as administrator).
- In the No Company Open window, click on the Help menu, and then select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
- Click Update Now and select the checkbox labeled Reset Update.
- Once you’re ready, click Get Updates.
- When the update process is complete, reopen your QuickBooks and check if the error is fixed.
Method 2: Prevent QBCF Monitor Service from Restarting
When opening the company file over the network on a workstation, you may get the unrecoverable error. It usually occurs when the QBCF Monitor Service runs on the workstation system that is not hosting the company file. In such a case, you can prevent the QBCF Monitor Service from restarting by following the below steps:
- Open the Run window.
- Type services.msc and press the Enter key.
- In the Services window, search and double-click QBCFMonitorService to open Properties.
- Select Disabled as the Startup type.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Note: Ensure that workstation is not hosting the QuickBooks company file. To check and change this settings, in QuickBooks, go to File > Utilities, select Stop Hosting Multi-User Access, and click Yes.
Method 3: Repair your Company File
The QuickBooks unrecoverable error may occur if your company file is corrupted. To check if your company file is corrupted, you can try to open a sample file. Follow these steps:
- Press the Ctrl key while double-clicking the QuickBooks application icon.
- Continue pressing the Ctrl key until the application displays ‘No Company Open.’
- Click ‘Open a sample file’.
- Select one of the sample files and open it.
If you are able to open the sample company file without any error, then it means the problem exists in the current company file, which you’re trying to open. If your company file is corrupted or damaged, then you can restore the company file using the QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery tool or follow the given manual backup restore process:
Note: Before restoring, make sure to move the backup file to your local hard drive, if it is stored on an external device.
- Open your QuickBooks application.
- Click the File menu and then click Open or Restore Company.
- Click Restore a backup copy and click the Next option.
- Click on the option labeled “Local Backup” and then click Next.
- Browse your system for your backup company file (with extension .qbb).
- Select a location where you want to save the restored company file and then click Open.
- Click Save.
Note: Make sure the QBW file folder and the folder in which you’re saving the restored file are different to prevent overwriting.
You may encounter the QuickBooks restore failed error if your QBB file is corrupted or due to other reasons. If the QBB file is corrupted or you have no backup file, then you can repair the QBW file using the Rebuild Data tool in QuickBooks. This tool can help you fix minor company file issues. Alternatively, you can use the QuickBooks file doctor tool, recommended by Intuit, to repair the company file and other issues. Following are the steps to use this tool:
- Download, install, and launch the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- On the QuickBooks tool hub, click Company File Issues.
- Click Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
- Once the tool starts, choose the damaged company file from the dropdown menu.
- Click the option labeled Check your file and then click Continue.
- In the window that opens, fill in the required credentials and click Next.
- The tool may take some time to scan the company file, depending on the file size.
- Once the scan is complete, open the QBW file to check whether the error is fixed or not.
This tool may fail to repair the QuickBooks company file, if it is too large (more than 2 GB in size) or is severely corrupted. If the QuickBooks File Doctor tool stops responding or fails to repair the company file, then use Stellar Repair for QuickBooks. It is a professional QuickBooks repair tool that can repair severely corrupted company (QBW) file of any size and recover all its components. It can help fix QuickBooks unrecoverable errors and other corruption-related errors.
Conclusion
By following the instructions in this article, you should be able to resolve the QuickBooks unrecoverable error caused by startup application conflicts, outdated QuickBooks Desktop versions, etc. If it is caused by severe corruption in the QuickBooks company file, you can repair the corrupted file using Stellar Repair for QuickBooks. It recovers all the information of Customers, Company, Vendors, and Employees saved in QBW file without hampering the file components. The tool has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that lets you resolve all the complex corruption-related errors, including QuickBooks unrecoverable errors, quickly and without data loss.
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