How to Fix QuickBooks Unable to Backup Company File Error

Data is considered to be the most crucial aspect of a business and QuickBooks stores all this critical data on the local storage of your computer. Failure of the hardware device or attack of a malicious infection can damage data. Thus it is essential to regularly backup your data to avoid such troubles. QuickBooks provides a convenient way to back up the company file with a few clicks, and you can also set up automatic backups to automatically backup of your company file data at regular intervals, but problems arise when backing up data trigger errors in QuickBooks. If you find that your QuickBooks is unable to backup company file, then follow the steps mentioned in this article to quickly troubleshoot the error. If you are also getting “QuickBooks Unable to Backup Company File” or “QuickBooks backup failed” error, then follow the complete article until the end for complete troubleshooting info.

Are you Unable to Backup Company File because of error message stating “QuickBooks encountered a problem attempting to backup”? Call Direct Helpline Number 1.800.579.0391 and Get Help Resolving the Error from Certified Experts

A Quick Description of QuickBooks Company File Backup Error

If you are trying to backup multiple company files or the file you are trying to backup is large in size, then there are possibilities of getting errors during backup. One more instance when QuickBooks won’t backup is when you frequently switch the devices to store the backup. Once you encounter the error you might get one of the following error messages on your screen:

[Backup Failed: QuickBooks was unable to back up your company file.  QuickBooks could not create a disk image]

[Backup Failed: QuickBooks was unable to back up your company file. QuickBooks could not copy the company file]

You might also get the same back error while backing up your data using Intuit Data Protect. Follow our article for detailed instructions to fix Intuit Data Protect Backup Failed error.

Reasons that Cause Unable to Backup Company File Error

1. The primary cause of the error is the unavailability of the storage device that stores the backup file. For example, The external storage device where QuickBooks backup is created is no longer connected to the computer.
2. Damage in the company file data is also a reason that causes failure to back up the data in QuickBooks.
3. Setting up a wrong backup path can cause QuickBooks to freeze or display backup failed error to the user.
4. One more situation where QuickBooks cannot backup company file is not having enough storage available on the memory to store the backup file.

The Solution to Resolve QuickBooks Company File Backup Error

Solution 1: Verify and Rebuild QuickBooks Company File

1. Open QuickBooks and from the File menu go to the Utilities drop-down and select Verify Data.
2. If Verify Data tool found issues with the company file then go to the Utilities drop-down once again and click Rebuild Data.
3. Let the tool repair the damage in the company file and once done, try to backup the company file again and check if this resolves the “QuickBooks not backing up” error.

For more detailed instructions follow our article on how to run QuickBooks Verify and Rebuild Data Tool to resolve damage in the QuickBooks Company File Data.

You can also use QuickBooks File Doctor if you don’t get the desired results running the Verify/Rebuild Data Tool.

Solution 2: Verify the Backup Directory in QuickBooks

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop and navigate to the Preferences section.
2. Navigate to the Backup Options section.
3. Check the backup directory you have selected in QuickBooks under the Local Backup Only section.
4. Make sure QuickBooks has a valid path to create the backup file.
5. If you found the backup path to be incorrect or unavailable, then click Browse and select the right folder location where you want to save the backup of the company file.
6. You can also change the backup path before taking the backup of the company file from the Create Backup window.

Solution 3:  Rename QuickBooks Network Data (.ND) File

1. Exit QuickBooks Desktop software and open Windows File Manager.
2. Navigate to C:\ Users\ Public\ Public Documents\ Intuit\ QuickBooks \ and locate the network data file.
3. The file will have the same name as your company file but with .ND extension.
4. Right click the file and select Rename.
5. Add .OLDFILE at the end of the file name and save the file.
6. Try to create a backup of the company file once again.
7. If error “QuickBooks was unable to back up your company file” still appears, then follow the next troubleshooting method.

Solution 4: Verify Available Storage on the Backup Device

If you are getting an warning message “To backup your company file, there must be 645106849 bytes of space available on 192.168.0.243, but currently thee are only 31055872 bytes available. Please free up some space on this drive and try again“,

then this indicates low storage on the backup storage and you must consider deleting unnecessary files from the drive to provide sufficient space for QuickBooks to create a backup. Here is a detailed guide to free up space on your storage devices.

Solution 5: Reset QuickBooks Updates

1. Open QuickBooks and click the Help tab.
2. Select Update QuickBooks Desktop option and go to the Update Now tab.
3. Check-mark the Reset Updates option and click Get Updates.
4. Click OK to continue and when QuickBooks ask for permission to install updates click OK once again.
5. Exit Update QuickBooks window and restart QuickBooks Desktop.
6. Try to backup the company file once again.

If none of the solutions listed in this article helps you resolve the “QuickBooks unable to backup company file error”, then as a final troubleshooting step you can try running QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool, that will help resolve any installation errors that might be causing issues backing up the company file.

In case if you are still facing problem backing up QuickBooks Company file, then this indicates unrecoverable damage in the company file and you will require to restore the most recent backup of the company file before taking the backup. If you need help restoring your data or repairing the damaged company file or resolving “QuickBooks backup failed Mac” error, then you can get in touch with us at our Technical Helpline Number 1.800.579.0391.