How to Fix “QuickBooks POS Client Cannot Connect to Server” Error

Considered to be an undoubted segment of QuickBooks, Point of Sale is an essential part and might have taken you for dizzy rides, where understanding the types of errors wasn’t easy enough. Speaking of which, QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server is one such cryptic error that you might have seen and tried to solve hard.

This article will be taking you through a detailed journey to help you understand about the QuickBooks POS error and tell you how to solve it.

What is QuickBooks POS Client Cannot Connect to Server Error?

If you still aren’t much clear about what exactly is a QuickBooks POS, this section is the one for you which will elucidate you on the same.

QuickBooks POS can be understood as a retail software that associates itself with a hardware application and permits you to bring along successful software integrations such as QuickBooks, Payroll, etc.

Jumping to the core discussion for this topic, the underlying reason of the QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error, let’s just understand how many versions does the software application brings along with it.

There are three known versions of QuickBooks POS, which are, Basic, Pro and Multi-Store. The QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error happens mostly because of the multi-user technical error.

Adding to this, there are more causes for the QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error to happen. The following section will further furbish on what might be the reasons for the QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error to happen.

Why QuickBooks POS Client Cannot Connect to Server Error Happens?

When you sit to dissect the causes for the QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error to happen, there might be surfacing more than you expected.

Here are the few ones listed below:

• The server that you are using might not be compatible with a multi-mode user.
• Your server is facing some network connection errors.
• There is a dynamic IP that is in current use.
• The configuration that has been done for Network sharing and folder permission has not been done correctly.

Thus, now it’s time to know how to fix the QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error.

Solutions to Fix QuickBooks POS Unable to Connect to Server

There is not just one solution to fix the QuickBooks POS Unable to Connect to Server error but multiple ways can be tried out to resolve the same.

Since one of the primary causes for the QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error to happen is because of working on a server that is not compatible with a multi-use mode, the first solution is to set your server for the optimal use of a multi-user mode. By following the solutions mentioned below, you can easily fix the server connection issues in QuickBooks Point of Sale:

Solution 1: Switch Company File to Multi-User Mode

You are required to enable the multi-user mode in your QuickBooks POS to be able to connect it to the server. Following this process will improve effectiveness and increase productivity. Follow the steps mentioned below:

• Step 1: Open the File menu bar from the QuickBooks POS dashboard.
• Step 2: Under the drop-down, press Switch Company File to Multi-User Mode.

• Step 3: Now, you must close all the programs and restart your computer system.
• Step 4: Open QuickBooks POS, and try connecting it to the server.

In case you’re unable to connect QuickBooks POS to the server by following the given steps, move on to other solutions.

Solution 2: Change Advanced Sharing Setting

• Go to your Control Panel.
• Visit Network and Sharing Center.
• Tap on Change advanced sharing setting.
• Maximize network profile and hit Turn on from the Network Discovery.
• Under the setting option, click All Networks.
• Scroll to the Protected Sharing pan and tap on the Turn off Protected Sharing.
• Once you are done, restart your system.

Solution 3: Change the WSActivity file Name

• Find the folder in which you would locate the stored WSActivity file.
• Do a right-click on the file and change the name to OLDWSActivity.
• Once you are done, close all running applications including QuickBooks and reopen it again.

Now when you face the QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error, you know what to do exactly!

Related Article: Fix QuickBooks POS Failed to Open Company File Error

Solution 4: Reinstallation of QuickBooks Software

If no solution helps to resolve this error related to QuickBooks POS Unable to Connect to Server, you must try to uninstall QuickBooks, and then install it again. Before you follow the steps given below, make sure you create a backup copy to prevent data loss.

• Step 1: Go to the Downloads Folder, and right-click on the installed QuickBooks Desktop Software File.
• Step 2: From the options given in the drop-down, click on Delete. The software will be uninstalled after the deletion.
• Step 3: Now, Download QuickBooks Desktop Software from the official website.
• Step 4: Follow the prompts given below on the screen to reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.
• Step 5: Also, Install the QuickBooks Tool Hub link and Run it to troubleshoot any potential risks.

Solution 5: Configure Firewall Settings Connection of QuickBooks POS to the Server

By modifying the firewall settings, you can guarantee QuickBooks Point of Sale has uninterrupted network connectivity. In order to carry out these actions, the required port will be opened, which will successfully resolve connectivity issues.

• Step 1: Click on Window+R keys one by one to display the Run command.
• Step 2: Open the Control Panel.
• Step 3: Select the Windows Firewall by selecting tiny icons under the “View by” option.
• Step 4: Now, you must choose the “Inbound” option from the Advanced choices.

• Step 5: From the menu options displayed, click on “New Rule“.
• Step 6: After choosing the port, click the Next button.
• Step 7: Reopen QuickBooks to make sure the issue has been resolved.

Related Post: QuickBooks Unable to Connect to Remote Server

Solution 6: Install Server Workstation

POS Merchant Account Services for versions 3 and 4 can fix this issue by installing the workstation. If the issue is fixed following this solution, this problem will be caused by the expiration of the Security Certificate.

• Step 1: Disable the point-of-sale software on every desktop.
• Step 2: Next, obtain a fresh security certificate from the authorized provider.
• Step 3: Click Open as soon as a prompt appears.
• Step 4: Opt for “Run” option.
• Step 5: Now, select “Overwrite files automatically“.
• Step 6: Choose the option to Unzip.
• Step 7: Hit the OK button
• Step 8: Once you finish, try to launch the QB POS software again.

If the solution doesn’t help, move on to another solution provided below.

Solution 7: Security Certificate Must be Downloaded

Those who are facing this issue related to the usage of QuickBooks POS Merchant Account Services should follow the given steps:

• Step 1:Turn off the Point of Sale on each workstation.
• Step 2: You can download a fresh security certificate from the official website.
• Step 3: When prompted, click “Open” and then “Run.”
• Step 4: You should choose “Overwrite files without prompting.”
• Step 5: Once you’ve chosen “Unzip,” and then click on the “OK” and “Close” buttons.
• Step 6: Reopen the sales point.

Click here: Download QuickBooks Desktop 2024

To help you with resolving the QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to server error, there are multiple ways listed in this article and shall resolve the issue in the least time.

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