QuickBooks Error H202 (Multi-user Mode)

If you are experiencing QuickBooks error H202, this article is for you. It includes why this error occurs, its appearance, and the methods to fix it. Let’s dive in!

What does QuickBooks Error H202 mean?

QuickBooks includes single and multi-user modes that enable companies to involve their employees in action. QuickBooks error H202 occurs when you try to switch to the multi-user mode. This can usually be seen when QuickBooks Desktop tries to connect with a company file stored on another device.

The QuickBooks error occurs if the software fails to connect because of issues in the multi-user setup. In some cases, the error could occur due to disabled multi-user mode on the workstations and servers or due to incorrect hosting configuration settings.

The error appears on the screen as “This company file is on another computer, and QuickBooks needs some help connecting“.

What are the Symptoms of QuickBooks Error H202?

Error code H202 pops up when QuickBooks Desktop is attempting to connect to the company file but can’t communicate with the server. This issue typically arises due to one of several possible reasons.

• An issue with the hosting setup of multi-user mode
• Incorrect hosting configuration
• The server computer firewall is Blocking communication
• Conflict in the DNS server
• Some internal QuickBooks services, like QuickBooksDBXX or QBCFMonitor, aren’t running on the server computer.
• The network data file (.ND) is corrupted or damaged.

Now that you are aware of the reasons for the occurrence of QuickBooks error H202, let’s find out the solutions that can fix it.

Tips:

Host your Company Files?

Host your network

For each version of QuickBooks you use, follow the instructions to install QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your server if you haven’t previously. The computer that houses your company’s files is known as your server. Following Database Server Manager installation:

If you haven’t already, install QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your server by following the instructions for each version of QuickBooks that you use. Your server is the computer that hosts the files for your business. After installing Database Server Manager:

Setting up QuickBooks Database Server Manager can be done in two ways:

• The Full Program option: On your server computer you have to install the full version of QuickBooks Desktop and Database Server Manager.
• The Server Only option: On your server manager you can only install Database Server Manager.

How to Fix QuickBooks Error H202

Here are some of the steps to fix the QuickBooks error H202 automatically (tool hub) or manually.

Fix QuickBooks Error H202 Automatically?

Fix error code H202 automatically.

Step 1: Download and install the QuickBooks Tools Hub on your server

Common errors can be fixed with the QuickBooks Tool Hub. To use the tool hub, you must close QuickBooks. We advise you to use Tool Hub on Windows 10, 64-bit, for optimal results.

• You have to close QuickBooks.
• Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub latest version, which is 1.6.5. Save the file to a location where you can quickly find it, such as your Windows desktop or Downloads folder. Note: You can find the version of Tool Hub you have if you have already installed it. Click the Home tab. It will be the version at the bottom.
• Open the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file that you downloaded.
• To install and accept the terms and conditions, follow the on-screen instructions.

• Double-clicking the icon on your Windows desktop will open the tool hub after the installation is complete.

Step 2: From the Tool Hub, run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your server

The file(s) linked with your QuickBooks firm are stored on your server computer. Workstations are the other computers in your network that are connected to computers.

• You can select the Network Issues from the QuickBooks Tools Hub.
• Then you have to select QuickBooks Database Server Manager. QuickBooks will ask you to install it if it isn’t already installed on your server.
• If the QuickBooks Database Server Manager displays your firm file folder(s), choose Start Scan. If not, navigate to where your company file is located and choose Start Scan.
• The QuickBooks Database Server Manager automatically fixes the permissions on your firewall. After the scan is complete, you have to choose Close.
• On every workstation where Error H202 appears, open QuickBooks. To switch to multi-user mode, you have to select File. Be careful to check your server computer as well if you use it as a workstation.

Step 3: From the Tool Hub, Run the File Doctor

• You can select Company File Issues from the tool hub.
• Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor. It may open after a minute or so. Note: Try searching for QuickBooks Desktop File Doc and opening it manually if the QuickBooks File Doctor isn’t opening.
• Choose your company file from the dropdown menu in QuickBooks File Doctor. Choose Browse and look for your file if it’s not visible.
• Then you have to select Check your file and Network and then click on Continue.
• After entering your QuickBooks admin password, click the Next button.

Everything is fixed if your workstations can operate in multi-user mode without any problems.

Fix QuickBooks Error H202 Manually?

Some of the effective methods to troubleshoot QuickBooks error H202 are given below. Before performing any of the solutions, make sure that you have backup company files. This is to prevent loss of data while fixing the error.

Step 1: Ping Your Server from a Workstation

Ping your server from a workstation to check the connection. Ping your server from each workstation getting Error H202.

Follow these steps to ping your server:

• Open the Run window by pressing the Windows+R keys together.
• Type CMD in the search box, and then click on Enter.

• In the command window, Enter ping [servername] to ping the server name from your workstation, and press the Enter key.

Note: Check if you lost a packet or if the response is slow. If so, then the network needs to be repaired.

Step 2: Verification of QuickBooks Services

If QuickBooks is running on the server, you can initiate multi-user hosting mode.

• Open the QuickBooks software on your system.
• Move to the File tab and press the Utilities option.
• From the dropdown menu, select the Host Multi-user Access option.
• You need to check the status of both QuickBooksDBXX and QBCFMonitorService. To do so, follow the steps below after step 3 above.
  • Open the Run Window as mentioned above.
  • Type down service.msc in the blank space in the text box and click Enter.
• Select QuickBooksDBXX and check the setup of the Startup type, Select Automatic for the Startup Type. (Example: QuickBooks 2023 is QuickBooksDB33.)

Note: Be aware of making the startup type automatic and check the service status to make sure it is running.

• In the Recovery tab, Select the Recovery option.
• Select Restart the Service for the First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures that can be found under the drop-down menu of the failures.

• Click on the Apply and OK buttons one after the other.
• Follow all the above steps to check the status of QBCFMonitorService.

Step 3: Add Services to Your Windows Admin group on Your Server

• To include QBCFMonitorService and QuickBooksDBXX, allow Windows admin access to these on the system.
• Be vigilant in providing Admin Permission to these services to fix the error code H202.
• Note if the Accounting Software can be used in the multi-user mode.

Read more: How to Fix QuickBooks Error H505

Step 4: Configure Your Firewall Settings on Your Server

• Create Windows firewall exceptions for system firewalls in your computer system.
• Alter the system Firewall Permissions and install QuickBooks on all the devices.
• From the File menu dropdowns, select the Switch to Multi-user Mode option.

You might not know the way to create a firewall exception. Check the steps below to create it.
Create firewall exceptions for QuickBooks.

• Enter Windows Firewall in the search box of the Windows Start menu.
• Launch Windows Firewall and visit the Advanced Settings.
• Right-click on the Inbound Rules option, and then select New Rule.
• Choose Program, followed by Next.
• Click on the This Program Path, select Browse, and search for the executable files.
• Click Next, Allow the Connection, and then Next again.
• Upon prompted, mark all the profiles and click Next.
• Create a rule, give it a name, and continue all the steps for Outbound Rules.

Step 5: Navigating and Adding Windows Hosts file on the Server

• Close all the Running QuickBooks Windows.
• Follow the mentioned path:
  • C:\Windows\Syswow64\Drivers\Etc
  • C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc on the server.
• Double-click on the host file and choose Notepad from the list provided.
• Enter the IP address and the Name of the Computer for the Server. You can separate computer names using the Tab key instead of the Space key.
• Check if the error persists after launching QuickBooks in multi-user mode.

Step 6: Setting the Hosting Tool to Local Files

Make sure that no other client’s system is trying to host the company file.

• In QuickBooks, open the product information screen by pressing the F2 key on your keyboard.
• Under the Local Server Information tab, choose local files only for hosting.

Despite all these methods implemented, if the problem persists, it is recommended that you contact a QuickBooks professional for better results.

Conclusion

This article includes several solutions to fix QuickBooks error H202 to restore multi-user connectivity in company files. The methods are easy to understand but if you have any doubts regarding the process of execution, feel free to contact our professionals. You will receive personalized help and support from the experts.

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