Resolving the QuickBooks Error 6144 and 103 With Guided Methods

Last Updated on November 4, 2025

The QuickBooks error 6144 and 103 is a company file error that can occur when you try to open the QB company file locally or over a shared network. This can be caused by a damaged ND file or a damaged Database Manager user account. It can hamper your workflow, ultimately halting your business progress. You can fix it by using the QB File Doctor tool from the QuickBooks Tool Hub. In this blog, we’ll cover the in-depth methods you need to fix the error codes 6144 and 103 in QuickBooks.

Are you struggling with opening your company file in the QB Desktop app? Contact our Accounting Helpline’s experts at 1.855.738.2784 today to fix your problem in no time!

What is the QuickBooks Error Code 6144 and 103?

The QuickBooks error 6144 103 usually represents a company file error. This issue can appear on your screen when you try to open your company file in the QB Desktop app. A damaged QB company file can be the culprit behind this issue; additionally, a damaged ND file can also result in this problem popping up on your screen. It is part of the 6XXX series of error codes, which are notorious company file errors that many people deal with. Now, let us see the potential causes of the error code 6144 in QuickBooks.

Factors that Can Cause the QuickBooks Error Message 6144 and 103

Given in the list below are the factors that can potentially trigger the QuickBooks error code 6144 and 103:

1. A damaged QB company file.
2. The ND file has an incorrect path to your company file.
3. A damaged QB Database Manager Windows user account.
4. A damaged TLG file can also cause this problem.
5. The QB Desktop app is outdated.
6. Program problems with the QBDT app.

These were the causes of the QBDT error 6144 and 103.

Methods to Resolve the QuickBooks Desktop Error 6144 and 103

Given below are the troubleshooting methods you can use to fix the QB error code 6144 and 103:

Use the QuickBooks File Doctor

You can use the QB File Doctor tool from the QB Tool Hub to patch the QuickBooks error code 6144 103 with the steps given below:

1. Download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
   
2. Open the Tool Hub app.
3. Navigate to the Company File Issues tab.
4. Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor:
   
   • If it doesn’t open, search for QuickBooks Desktop File Doc and open it manually.
5. Choose your company file from the dropdown menu:
   • If you don’t see your file, you can select Browse and search to find your file.
6. Click on the Check your file option.
7. Hit Continue.
8. Enter your QB admin password.
9. Hit Next.

This would resolve the QB error code 6144 and 103.

Verify and Rebuild Your QB Company Data

The verify and rebuild data utility can be used to fix a damaged company file with the steps given below:

1. Open the QB Desktop app.
2. Navigate to the File menu.
3. Click on Utilities.
4. Press the Verify Data option.
   
5. Then, open the File menu again.
6. Select Utilities.
7. Click on the Rebuild Data option.
   
8. QB will ask to make a backup before it rebuilds your company file.
9. Hit OK.
10. A backup is required to rebuild your data.
11. Choose where the backup would be saved.
12. Press OK.
13. Do not replace any existing backup files.
14. Enter a unique name in the File name field.
15. When you get the message Rebuild has completed, hit OK.

Now, the QuickBooks error 6144 and 103 should be fixed.

Update the QB Desktop App

An outdated QBDT app can result in your seeing the QuickBooks company file error 6144. Update the QB Desktop app to fix it with the following steps:

1. Open the QB Desktop application.
2. Go to the Help menu.
3. Click on Update QuickBooks Desktop.
   
4. Press Update Now.
5. Select Get Updates.
6. Close and reopen your QBDT app to install the updates.

If this doesn’t fix the QB error 6144 and 103, move to the next solution.

Use QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery

You can recover your company file using the QB Auto Data Recovery utility with the following steps:

1. Create a new folder on your PC’s desktop.
2. Name it QBTest.
3. Open the folder where your company file is stored.
4. Look for the .tlg file in the folder with the same name as your company file.
5. Copy the .tlg file.
6. Paste it in the QBTest folder.
7. Then, open the QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery folder:
   • Stored in the same location as your company file.
8. Copy the .QBW.adr file.
9. Paste it in the QBTest folder.
10. Open the QBTest folder.
11. Right-click on the .QBW.adr file.
12. Press Rename.
13. Delete .adr from the end of the file.
14. Open the QB Desktop app.
15. Open the company file you saved in the QBTest folder.
16. Use your account register to verify if all transactions are present.
17. Go to the File menu.
18. Press Utilities.
19. Click on Verify Data to check the integrity of the file.
20. If all is good, paste it in the original location of your company file.

Performing these steps would fix the QuickBooks error 6144 and 103.

Advanced Solutions if You Open the File Locally

Given below are some of the advanced troubleshooting methods to fix the QuickBooks error 6144 if you open your file locally:

Rename the.ND and TLG Files

You can rename the ND and TLG files to resolve the company file error with the steps given below:

1. Open the folder containing your company file.
2. Find the files with extensions ND and TLG, but have the same name as your company file, for example:
   • company_file.qbw.nd
   • company_file.qbw.tlg
3. Rename each file by right-clicking on it.
4. Add the word OLD at the end of the file name, for example:
   • company_file.qbw.nd.OLD

This would resolve the QuickBooks error code 6144 and 103.

Copy the QB File to the Desktop

If there’s a problem with the location where your company file is stored, you can paste it to the desktop with the steps given below:

1. Open the folder containing your company file.
2. Find the file with a .QBW extension.
3. Right-click on the file.
4. Select Copy.
5. Go to your desktop.
6. Right-click on an empty area.
7. Press Paste.
8. Tap and hold the Ctrl key while opening QBDT.
9. The No Company Open window would appear.
10. Press Open or restore an existing company.
    
11. Find your company file on the desktop and open it.

This would resolve the QuickBooks error 6144 and 103.

Advanced Solutions if You Open the File Over a Network

Listed below are some advanced solutions for the QuickBooks Desktop error code 6144 and 103 if you open the company file over a network:

Run the QB Database Server Manager

First, rename the ND and TLG files from the steps given above, then use the QB Database Server Manager with the steps given below:

1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. Navigate to the Network Issues tab.
3. Click on QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
   
4. Press Start Scan if you see your company file:
   • If you don’t see your company file, click on Browse to find your company file.
   • After finding your company file, press Start Scan.
5. Let the tool run.

After the tool has finished working, you will be able to open your company file without any issues.

Close All QB Desktop Processes

You might have to close all running QBDT processes to solve the QB company file error 6144 with the following steps:

1. Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. The Task Manager would open.
3. Show processes for all users:
   • Select Users
4. Select each QuickBooks process:
   • QBW32.EXE
   • qbupdate.exe
   • QBDBMgr.exe
5. Press End Task.

This would help in patching QBDT error 6144 and 103.

Verify the Folder Permissions Manually

Verify that the folder permissions for sharing your file over a network have been set up correctly with the following steps:

1. Open the File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the folder containing your company file.
3. Press Properties.
4. Go to the Security tab.
5. Press Advanced.
6. Click on QBDataServiceUserXX.
7. Hit Edit.
8. Set the following settings to Allowed:
   • Traverse Folder/Execute File
   • List Folder/Read Data
   • Read Attributes
   • Read Extended Attributes
   • Create Files/Write Data
   • Create Folders/Append Data
   • Write Attributes
   • Write Extended Attributes
   • Read Permissions

This would mend the QuickBooks error 6144 and 103.

Make Firewall Port Exceptions

Making Firewall port exclusions for QBDT is necessary to share your company file over a network. You can make Firewall exceptions for the QB Desktop app with the steps given below:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Search for and open the Windows Firewall.
3. Select Advanced Settings.
4. Then, right-click on Inbound Rules:
   
   • Create Outbound  Rules later on.
5. Press New Rule.
   
6. Click on Port.
7. Hit Next.
8. Ensure that TCP is selected.
9. Go to the Specific Local Ports field.
   
10. Enter the specific port for your QBDT version:
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2020: 8019, XXXXX
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377
11. Press Next.
12. Click on Allow the Connection.
13. Hit Next.
14. Make sure all profiles are marked if you’re prompted.
15. Press Next.
16. Create a rule.
17. Name it something like QBPorts(year).
18. Hit Finish.

Now, you should be able to open your company file without any issues.

Use Quick Fix My Program

You can use the Quick Fix My Program tool from the QB Tool Hub to fix the QuickBooks error 6144 and 103 with these steps:

1. Open the QB Tool Hub app.
2. Navigate to the Program Problems tab.
3. Click on Quick Fix My program.
   
4. Let the tool run.

Now, the issue should be fixed.

Utilize the QB Install Diagnostic Tool

The QB Install Diagnostic Tool can be used to fix the QuickBooks error code 6144 and 103 with the steps given below:

1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. Navigate to the Installation Issues tab.
3. Click on the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.
   
4. Let the tool run.

This would let you open your company file again.

QuickBooks Error 6144 and 103 – A Quick View

Given in the table below is a concise summary of this blog on the topic of the QuickBooks company file error 6144 and 103:

Conclusion

The QuickBooks error 6144 and 103 is a company file error that might occur when you try to open your company file locally or on a shared network. We have discussed the potential factors that can cause this issue, along with the steps needed to troubleshoot it in this blog. If you are still unable to open your company file in QuickBooks, feel free to contact our Accounting Helpline’s experts at 1.855.738.2784 today!

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Edward Martin

Edward Martin is a Technical Content Writer for our leading Accounting firm. He has over 10 years of experience in QuickBooks and Xero. He has also worked with Sage, FreshBooks, and many other software platforms. Edward’s passion for clarity, accuracy, and innovation is evident in his writing. He is well versed in how to simplify complex technical concepts and turn them into easy-to-understand content for our readers.