How to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Error OL-202?

QuickBooks Desktop Error OL-202 typically appears when users attempt to download bank transactions or send payments through the Bank Feeds Center. This error usually shows up with messages like:

• “{Your financial institution} sent an error message. Check with {Your financial institution} before trying to resend your transactions.”
• “Your last online connection was not completed. QuickBooks is having a problem recovering from this condition.”

QuickBooks Error OL-202 is triggered due to temporary bank server outages, outdated login credentials, inactive online banking accounts, corrupted data files, misconfigured internet settings,  or software versions incompatible.  Before fixing QuickBooks OL-202 error,  always create a backup of your QuickBooks company file to avoid data loss. Check out these 2 highly-effectively solutions to fix QuickBooks Error Code OL-202 quickly and effectively. 

Solution 1: Clear Stuck Online Transactions

Sometimes a payment gets “stuck” in the queue and stops other transactions from going through. Here’s how to identify and clear it to fix OL-202 Error in QuickBooks:

Step 1: Identify the Stuck Payment

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to Banking > Bank Feeds > Bank Feeds Center.
3. Choose the account with pending transactions under Bank Accounts.
4. In the Send items to your bank section, uncheck all payments for now.
5. Select one payment at a time and click Send Items.

6. Repeat step 5 for each payment until you find the one that’s stuck.

Note: Try switching QuickBooks to register (classic) mode if you’re unable to do this.

Step 2: Clear the Stuck Payment

1. Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
2. While holding Ctrl, click Send/Receive or Sync Accounts.
3. Continue holding the Ctrl key during the entire session, except when entering login details.
4. When you see the message:
   “Your last online connection was not completed…”
   Keep holding Ctrl and click OK.
5. When prompted again:
   “Do you wish to resend this request again…”
   Still holding Ctrl, click OK.

Note: You may need to repeat this a few times for the transaction to completely clear and resend.

Solution 2: Remove a Stuck Payment Without Resending

In case the stuck transaction refuses to clear or you don’t want to risk sending it again, here’s how to remove it entirely:

1. Open the stuck payment in your account register.
2. Hold down the Ctrl key and click Pay Online or Online Bank Pmt to uncheck it.
3. In case a message pops up, keep holding Ctrl and click OK.
4. In case the payment still shows in Items to Send:
   • Select it and click Delete.
   • In case this doesn’t work:
     • Select the payment, hold Ctrl, and press Delete.
     • You’ll see a message saying it can’t be deleted. Keep holding Ctrl and click OK
     • A message will ask if you want to remove restrictions—click Yes.
     • Try deleting the payment again.

Note: You might have to repeat these steps several times to successfully remove the transaction.

Solution 3: Restore the Backup

As a final resort, you can also start by checking for a recent backup created before the issue occurred. 

Note: In case no backup is available, collect your Bank Feeds log files and contact QuickBooks support. Be aware that support may charge a fee.

Step 1: Restore from a Local Backup (.QBB file)

1. Launch QuickBooks Desktop on your system.
2. Click on the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
3. In the window that appears, choose Restore a backup copy and click Next.
4. Select Local Backup, then click Next again.
5. Browse your computer to find the .qbb backup file. It may be in the default QuickBooks backup folder or a location you previously set.
6. Choose a destination to save the restored file. Do not overwrite the current company file unless you’re sure. Use a new file name or a different folder.
7. Click Save and complete the prompts. Enter the password if one is required.
8. Open the restored company file to confirm the process was successful.

Step 2: Restore from an Online Backup (Intuit Data Protect)

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Access Intuit Data Protect from the Help menu or its system tray icon.
3. Select Restore from Backup.
4. Choose the desired backup date and time.
5. Set the destination folder to save the restored file.
6. Follow the prompts to finish restoring the file.

What are the Prerequisites to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Error OL-202?

Fulfill the requirements mentioned below to ensure smooth troubleshooting of error OL=202 in QuickBooks.

• Always back up your QuickBooks company file.
• Confirm payment status with your bank.
• Ensure you are using the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop.
• Check for active internet connectivity.
• Close all background programs.
• Disable any firewall or security software temporarily.

How to Identify QuickBooks Desktop Error Code OL-202?

Following are a few common signs that you will encounter when QuickBooks Error OL-202 occurs:

• You see an error message like: “Your financial institution sent an error message…” or “QuickBooks is having a problem recovering…”.
• Online payments remain stuck in the Bank Feeds Center and fail to send or sync.
• Frequent prompts to resend transactions, even after repeated attempts.
• You’re unable to download bank transactions or connect with your financial institution.
• The issue persists across sessions, especially after system restarts.
• QuickBooks may freeze or lag during Bank Feeds operations.
• You may receive multiple failure alerts in a single attempt, signaling an unresolved error.

How to Prevent QuickBooks Desktop Error OL-202?

Follow these steps to ensure that you do not face error OL-202 in the future:

• Regularly reconcile and clear sent payments to avoid transaction buildup in the queue.
• Maintain updated login credentials and verify them frequently with your bank.
• Avoid using inactive or closed bank accounts for online transactions.
• Stay informed about any changes in your bank’s service or software requirements.
• Periodically clean up your data file and remove duplicate or corrupted entries.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for QuickBooks Desktop Error OL-202?

In case you’ve tried the basic troubleshooting steps and the error still won’t go away, it’s time to seek professional help. You should also reach out if you’re unsure how to safely handle stuck payments, worried about damaging your financial data, or can’t find a recent backup.