Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error Code H202 {Multi-User Switching}

It can be very frustrating to encounter issues such as QuickBooks error H202, particularly when the error prevents you from completing an important operation or interferes with its proper execution. When a user tries to switch into multi-user mode, QuickBooks problem H202 is a frequently observed and reported error. When QuickBooks is unable to open a company file that is kept on a different system, a H series error occurs. Usually, QuickBooks fails to connect to the company file because it is kept on a different system, and a warning message is displayed on the screen.

QuickBooks Error H202 occurs when we try to use QuickBooks in multi-user mode or the QuickBooks fails to open a company file that is stored on another system.

This article is intended to assist you in determining the root causes of QuickBooks Error H202. The resolution methods are further simplified with simple steps to fix QuickBooks H202 Error when opening the company file from a workstation.

What is QuickBooks Error H202 and Why it occurs?

When you try to open your company file in multi-user mode QuickBooks error H202 may appear on the desktop screen. This error can stop QuickBooks from performing the given task. Most of the users have faced this error when they are trying to switch to multi-user mode from single-user mode. Simply you can experience this issue when you are trying to access a company file that is stored on another system. The following error that is displayed on the screen when QuickBooks error H202 occurs:

Problem: This copy of QuickBooks cannot connect to the server on the computer you are attempting to work with because the company file is on a different computer. (H202)

Problem with multi-user Hosting Setup: In multi-user mode (H202) QuickBooks could not open the file.

Reasons Behind QuickBooks Error Code H202

When you open a Company file, QuickBooks attempts to connect to the QuickBooks Server. QuickBooks Error H202 occurs when QuickBooks is unable to connect to the remote server due to Incorrect hosting configuration settings and is unable to open the company file.

• QuickBooks Desktop does not have access to the Host’s or Server’s IP address.
• .Nd the file has been corrupted or damaged.
• DNS settings are not configured incorrectly.
• Services such as QBCFMonitor and QuickBooksDBXX are not operational.
• The hosting settings are incorrectly configured.
• The system firewall prevents the exchange of company data between QuickBooks and the server.
• There is a issues with QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

Symptoms of QuickBooks Error H202: Multi-user Mode

The following are the symptoms of QuickBooks Error H202 (Multi-user Mode):

• QuickBooks has become slow and occasionally freezes or stops working for a few seconds while in use.
• You are unable to enter multiple-user mode.
• The message QuickBooks error code H202 appears on your computer screen.
• You are unable to enter multiple-user mode.
• QuickBooks has become slow and occasionally freezes or stops working for a few seconds while in use.

Ways to Resolve QuickBooks Error Code H202 Like a Professional

Method 1: Check Network Connectivity

• In the system where you received the error, H202 opens the Run window by pressing (Windows+R keys).
• Enter CMD into the box and press the OK button.
• Ping your server from your computer now.
• Then, type ping server name and press the Enter key.
• You can carry out the steps outlined above on all systems that are experiencing the same error.
• If the response you receive is slow or you have lost a packet, there may be a problem with the network that requires repair.

Method 2: Make use of the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

QuickBooks File Doctor is a dependable troubleshooting tool developed by Intuit to diagnose and resolve various types of QuickBooks errors such as Error Codes H101, H202, H303, and H505. In order to use this tool, you must first download it from Intuit’s official website and run it. Follow the given steps:

• First and foremost, you must download and install the QuickBooks file doctor tool.
• Then, from the QuickBooks tool hub, select the company file issues and launch the tool.

• Select the company file from the drop down menu. If you can’t find the file, click Browse and search.

• When you’re finished, check the box next to your file and then press the Continue button.
• The final step is to enter your QuickBooks admin password and then click the Next button.

Method 3: Install and Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager

• Go to the Windows Start menu on your computer.
• In the search field, type in the word database.
• From the list, choose QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

• Look for the folder containing the company’s files. You can also use the browse feature to locate this folder.
• Press the Start Scan button to start scanning.
• QBDBSM can be used to modify the system firewall settings.
• When the scan is complete, click the Close button.
• QuickBooks must be launched on each workstation where the error appears.
• Now, go to the File menu and select it.
• Switch to multi-user mode by clicking the button.

Method 4: Verify QuickBooks Services

If the server is running a full version of QuickBooks, you can begin multi-user hosting mode by following the steps below:

• Open QuickBooks while on the server.
• Select File, followed by Utilities.

• Select the host with multi-user access.

Follow the steps below to check the status of QuickbooksDBXX and QBCFMonitorService on the server:

• Launch the Run dialogue box.
• In the text field, type services.msc and press the OK button.

• Then, choose QuickBooksDBXX.
• Check the Startup type to see if it is Automatic.
• Do it if the Startup type is not set to Automatic.
• Check the status of the service and make sure it is running.

• Select it from the Recovery tab.
• Then, select Restart the service of all these failures from the drop-down menus for the first, second, and subsequent failures.
• Now, click the Apply and then OK buttons.
• Complete all of the preceding steps for QBCFMonitorService.

Method 5: Add the QuickBooksDBXX and Services to the Admin Group

Allow QuickBooksDBXX and QBCFMonitorService to access the server as Windows administrators. If these services do not already have admin permission, grant it to them as this may also resolve QuickBooks Error Code H202. Check to see if the accounting software can be used in multi-user mode. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

Method 6: Customize the System Firewall Settings

Your system firewall may occasionally prevent data transfer between QuickBooks and the server. In that case, follow the steps below to configure QuickBooks firewall settings to ensure uninterrupted communication between QuickBooks and the server.

• Add exceptions to the system firewall settings.
• Change the system firewall permissions and then launch QuickBooks on all computers.
• Under the File menu, choose Switch to multi-user mode.

Method 7: Add the Server to the Windows Host File

• To begin, close all QuickBooks windows.
• On the server, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc or C:\Windows\Syswow64\Drivers\Etc on the server.
• When prompted for a programme, double-click the hosts file and select Notepad.
• Manually enter the IP address and then the computer’s name.
• Enter the IP address and computer name for the server. In the case of a computer, enter the server’s IP address and the computer’s name. To separate the computer name and IP address, use the Tab key on your keyboard instead of the Space bar.
• Attempt to open QuickBooks in multi-user mode to see if QuickBooks error code H202 has been resolved.

Method 8: Create a New Folder for the QuickBooks Company File

• Create a new server folder.
• Change the permissions for this new folder and the QuickBooks company files that will be shared.
• Now, copy the qbw file (CTRL+C) to the new folder.
• Open your company file in multi-user mode now.

Method 9: Use of the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

• This step requires you to download and install the QuickBooks install diagnostic tool.
• Scanning the folder where the data file is located is the next step.
• After that, you must record the number of IP addresses and network interfaces.
• If the firewall status section includes an Open ports tab, enable the QuickBooks ports.
• Continue by testing the data file connectivity.
• Open the company data file to see if the problem has been resolved.

Method 10: Using the QuickBooks Connection Diagnostic Tool to Resolve Network Problems

• The initial step is to download and install the QuickBooks connection diagnostic tool on the hosting system.
• Scanning the folder containing the QuickBooks company files comes next.
• Take note of the IP address displayed when the QuickBooks connection diagnostic tool is launched.
• The next step is to configure the firewall ports according to the diagnostic toc’s instructions.
• Follow the connection diagnostic tool’s additional instructions as well.
• Finally, on the system where the H202 error occurred, try opening QuickBooks company files.

Method 11: Configure Hosting to use Local Files

You must make certain that no other client system is attempting to host the same company file. The following are the steps involved in this process:

• Start QuickBooks software, then press the F2 key to access the product information screen.
• Next, in the lower left corner, under local server information, select hosting to reflect only local files.

Method 12: QuickBooks Firewall Port Information

• QuickBooks 2016 Firewall Ports are 8019, 56726, 55368-55372.
• Firewall Ports in QuickBooks 2017: 8019, 56727, and 55373-55377.
• QuickBooks Firewall Ports: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
• There are no Static Firewall Ports in QuickBooks 2019: Once you can run the company file in Database Server Manager, the ports are automatically renewed.

Method 13: On the Fedora Linux Server, Edit the QBGlobalAppConfig.ini File

• To begin, open the Linux Terminal Window and the QBGlobalAppConfig.ini file.
• Examine the default port range and remove any spaces before and after the (=) equal sign.
• Install Linux Database Server Manager now includes a complete list of ports.
• Save the QBGlobalAppConfig.ini file as well.
• Finally, restart the QBDBFILEMON and QBDBMGRN services.

Method 14: Modifying the Location of the Company’s Files

• To store the company file, create a new folder, preferably on Drive C: on the system.
• After that, select the company file and the appropriate. TLG file from the existing company file folder, then copy with Ctrl + C keys.
• Then, navigate to the new company file folder and paste the company file using the Ctrl+V keys.
• Examine whether the file can be opened in multi-user mode.

QuickBooks Error Code H202 appears when the QuickBooks Desktop attempts to connect to the company file but is unable to communicate with the server. This occurs as a result of incorrect configuration settings and firewall blockage.

We hope now you have enough information about the error and hopefully the above mentioned steps will help you to fix the error.

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