QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error: Fix with Expert Tips

Last Updated on September 25, 2024

The QuickBooks unrecoverable error has become a common issue affecting many users. Let us dive into a detailed guide to understand and resolve it effectively.

The error might arise when you are opening the file on a workstation, simply launching QB Desktop, registering QuickBooks for the first time, etc. In this blog, we will discuss the reasons why you encounter unrecoverable errors in QuickBooks and different instances of it. We will follow that up with the troubleshooting steps to eliminate the issue and get your application working smoothly.

Are you getting QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error when exporting to Excel or opening company file? Call a QB Expert at 1.855.738.2784 for immediate assistance!

Reasons for Unrecoverable Error in QuickBooks Desktop

If you receive a QuickBooks unrecoverable error when opening or working in your QB application, the following reasons might be responsible:

1. You may not have updated Windows and QuickBooks completely, leading to missed updates.
2. Your QuickBooks data may be damaged, triggering unrecoverable errors.
3. There may be computer issues causing a QB unrecoverable error.
4. Your program code may be corrupt, needing repair, and triggering an QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error.

General Troubleshooting for the QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error Codes

Here are the general troubleshooting solutions to fix the QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error:

Note: Before proceeding, it is always recommended that you create a backup of your company file and update your QB Desktop app.

Solution 1: Access QB after Closing all Windows

QuickBooks is designed to reopen any windows left open when you close your company file. However, if you have a large report or several windows set to open automatically, you may encounter an QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error upon startup.

To open your file with all windows closed, follow these steps:

1. Unlock QB Desktop.
2. Choose the required company file when the No Company Open window shows up.
3. As you hold the Alt key for a long time, select Open. Don’t release this key until the file launches.
4. If you are asked for login credentials, let go of the Alt key and perform as required.
5. Select OK, but press and hold the Alt key. The Alt key will be held until the desired company file opens up completely.

Solution 2: Open a Sample Company File

Know if the damaged or corrupted file is the reason for QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error. The damage might lie within the company file. At the same time, it might be rooted in the folder where the company file is stored. In such a case, copying the company file to a new location and then accessing it from the new location can let you know what caused QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error.

1. As you hold the Ctrl key, double-click on QuickBooks Program icon on the Windows Desktop.
2. The Ctrl key must be held till the No Company Open window appears.
3. In the No Company Open window, select Open a sample file option.
4. Click on any of the sample files from the list.

If the error persists, restore your file using a recent backup or ADR. If your backup or ADR is insufficient, perform basic data damage troubleshooting to get you back on track.

Solution 3: Move a Copy of the Company File to a Different Location

When you copy the company file to a different location, and it becomes accessible without error, this implies the folder is a damaged entity or the path is too long. Let us look at how to copy the company files to a new location.

When you copy the company file to a different location, and it becomes accessible without error, this implies the folder is a damaged entity or the path is too long. Let us look at how to copy the company files to a new location.

1. Right-click desktop > New > Create Folder, naming it QBTEST.
2. Next, open the folder with the company file and copy it from there.
3. Paste it in the QBTEST folder you have created.
4. Finally, try to access the company file from this new location.

If the file opens, you must create a new folder to locate your company file and fix the problem. However, if the error persists, follow other solutions.

Solution 4: Login to Windows with the new Windows Administrator

If the Windows user account is damaged, it can not only result in unrecoverable errors in QuickBooks but can also cause other programs to crash during operations. The following steps will help you create a new user account on your Windows PC that can help you rectify the QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error.

Create administrator for Windows 10

1. In the Start menu, select Settings and open Accounts. Click on Family & Other Users, and in the options under Other Users, select Add Someone else to this PC.
2. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account.
3. Please fill in the new account’s name and assign a password for security purposes. Finally, hit Finish.
4. Assig nadministrative rights to the newly created account using the Account Type option.
5. Hit on OK.

Managing Administration on Windows Servers

Note: Before implementing these steps, consult your IT team, as licensed computer technicians maintain the servers.

For Windows Server 2012

1. Go to the Server Manager> Tools > Computer Management.
2. Then, you must expand Local Users and Groups to select the Groups
3. Launch the Administrator properties window by double tapping on the Administrator Groups button > then the Add
4. Enter the account you wish to add to the local admins’ group by browsing through the select users, computers, service accounts, or groups window. Finish the process by pressing OK.

Once you’ve configured the new admin account, follow these steps to troubleshoot:

1. Log out of your current Windows user account.
2. Log back into Windows.
3. Open QuickBooks.

If you don’t encounter the error when using the new admin account, it’s possible that your original Windows user account either lacks the necessary access rights or is corrupted. In this case, you should seek assistance from your IT professional to either repair or replace your windows user account for a resolution.

Solution 5: Opt for a Different QB User

You can try opening your company file with a different QuickBooks user to troubleshoot further. Follow these steps:

1. In QuickBooks, go to “Company,” then opt for “Set Up Users and Passwords,” and pick “Set Up Users.”
   Note: Enterprise users: Navigate to the “Company” menu, then select “Users,” and choose “Set Up Users and Roles.”
2. Select “Add User,” then enter a username and password (do not use the problematic username).
3. Customize the new user as necessary, and select “Finish.”
4. Go to “File,” then choose “Close Company/Logoff.”
5. Sign in to the company file through the new login credentials.

If the new user can access the file without encountering the error, it may indicate an issue with the previous user. In that case, consider deleting the problematic user and recreating them.

Note: If you experience the error when opening the file as the admin user, run the QuickBooks File Doctor for further diagnosis.

By following these steps, you can determine if the issue is specific to the user or a more general problem with the QuickBooks file.

Solution 6: Run Quick Fix My Program from the Tool Hub

Several utilities are available in QuickBooks Desktop to fix unrecoverable errors. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: QB Tool Hub- Download and Install

The QB Tool Hub is a helpful tool for resolving common errors. To use it, close QuickBooks. Using the Tool Hub on a Windows 10, 64-bit system is recommended.

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Download the newest QB Tool Hub version (6.0.3). Keep the file in an accessible location, like your Downloads folder or the Windows desktop.
   Note: If you’ve used the Tool Hub before, you can verify the version by selecting the Home tab; the version number is at the bottom.
3. Open the downloaded file (exe).
4. Carry the on-screen instructions to install the tool and accept the terms and conditions.
5. After installation, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the Tool Hub. If you can’t find the icon, search Windows for “QuickBooks Tool Hub” and opt for the program.

Step 2: Run the Quick Fix My Program from the Tool Hub

The Quick Fix My Program option will close any background processes related to QuickBooks and perform a quick repair on your program.

1. In the QuickBooks Tool Hub, tap “Program Problems.”
2. Click “Quick Fix My Program.”
3. Unlock QuickBooks Desktop and access your data file.

Step 3: Employ the QB Install Diagnostic Tool from the Tool Hub

The QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool automatically analyzes and fixes issues with Microsoft components that the QuickBooks program relies on.

1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub if it’s not already open.
2. In the Tool Hub, select “Program Problems.”
3. Choose “QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool” and let the tool run. This process can take up to 20 minutes.
4. When the tool completes its diagnosis, restart your computer and then relaunch QuickBooks.

By following these steps, you can utilize the QuickBooks Tool Hub to diagnose and resolve issues related to your QuickBooks program.

Solution 7: Reinstall QuickBooks

When no other solution works for QuickBooks unrecoverable errors, try reinstalling the application for relief.

Various Instances of QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error & How to Fix Them

QuickBooks unrecoverable error may arise in the following scenarios and require specific troubleshooting after the general solutions don’t work:

Case 1: When Opening the QB Desktop File on Workstation

Follow these troubleshooting procedures if you encounter an Unrecoverable error when opening a company file over the network using a workstation. This issue may arise when the QBCF monitor service is active on a workstation that does not serve as the company file’s host.

Please note:

1. Before following the steps, ensure your QuickBooks Desktop software is up-to-date.
2. Suppose you operate QuickBooks in a multi-user environment and have a dedicated server or primary storage machine for your company files. In that case, enabling server or central computer hosting is essential.
3. Prevent the recurrence of this issue by turning off hosting on all workstations except for the server.

Solution 1: Use Quick Fix My Program and restrict QBCF from restarting

The steps to download and use Quick Fix My Program are given above. Use them to fix the unrecoverable error, then see below to stop QBCF Monitor Service from starting on the workstations:

1. Simultaneously press the Windows and the ‘R‘ key on your keyboard to access the Run window.
2. Type in “msc” and then click “OK.”
3. Scroll through the services and double-click “QBCFMonitorService” to open its Properties.
4. In the Properties window, choose “Disabled” as the Startup type.
5. Tap “Apply” and “OK” to save your changes.

Solution 2: Repair QB through Install Diagnostic Tool

Run the Install Diagnostic Tool from the QB Tool Hub to fix the program installation problems.

Case 2: PDF & Printing Problems in QBDT

If an QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error emerges while printing and generating PDFs, follow our article on fixing PDF and Printing problems in QuickBooks Desktop. Use the PDF & Print repair tool from the tool hub and other steps to fix this issue.

Case 3: Target Chaining Errors when using Rebuild Utility

When your company file contains these chaining errors, bills (or sometimes invoices) and payments are unlinked, leading to unassigned names. You may also notice “Version 2.0” in the Entered/Last Modified column instead of the transaction date in Audit Trail or Transaction Detail reports.

These errors may be attributed to insufficient memory (RAM) allocation during the Verify/Rebuild process. If your company file exceeds 2GB, don’t hesitate to contact professionals for assistance in resolving this issue.

For company files under 2GB, follow these steps:

1. Run the Rebuild function.
   Note: Do not run Rebuild over a network. Ensure you run Rebuild from the location of the company file or copy the file to another location to run Rebuild locally.
2. Restart your workstation or server before initiating Rebuild to free up memory.
3. Run Rebuild on the device with the most available physical RAM.
4. Navigate to the QuickBooks File menu, select Utilities, and choose Rebuild Data.
5. Select OK and wait for the Rebuild process to complete.
   Note: Sometimes, the View Results screen following the Rebuild may show inaccurate results in the “Errors we couldn’t fix” section. Please disregard these.
6. Run Verify Data tool to confirm the absence of additional errors.
7. Go to the QuickBooks File menu, select Utilities, and then Verify Data.
8. Select OK and wait for the verification process to finish.

If these steps do not fix the issue, you must restore a backup created before the Rebuild that triggered the Target Chaining error. If unsure which backup to restore, access the company file and press the keyboard’s F2 (or Ctrl+1) keys to access the Product Information screen. Check the “RB date” in the “Versions used on File” section.

On the restored company file:

1. Press the keyboard’s F2(or Ctrl+1) to check the Product Information page. Ensure the RB date is not close to the day the problem initially occurred.
2. Run the Rebuild utility, followed by a Verify. If it fails, and you continue to experience bills, invoices, and payments issues, or if you keep noticing “Version 2.0” in Transaction Detail reports, search for another backup.

If a viable backup is unavailable, you must generate a new company file and re-enter your transactions.

Case 4: Undertaking Bank Reconciliation or Seeing Previous Reports

You may follow these steps if QB Desktop crashes with an QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error when launching a PDF file or reconciling utilizing an older Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat version.

Errors often occur when Adobe Reader 10.0, 9.0, or 8.0 is installed and the “Display PDF in Browser” preference is selected.

Adobe 11.0 (XI) and later versions don’t have the option to show PDFs in the browser and instead show them outside the browser by default, resolving the issue.

Important: If you have Adobe Acrobat 10.0, 9.0, or 8.0, you’ll need to purchase a new version because it is a paid program (unlike Adobe Reader, which is free). If you don’t wish to upgrade your Adobe Acrobat version, follow the steps in Solution 2.

Solution 1: Update Adobe Reader to the Latest Version

1. Open Adobe Reader, go to Help, then select About Adobe Reader. 
2. If you see versions 0, 9.0, or 10.0, update to 24.002 by downloading Adobe Reader 24.002 from the official website. 
3. Follow the installation instructions for Adobe Reader 24.002 and restart your computer after the update. Try opening your previous bank reconciliation report again. 

Solution 2: Change the “Display PDF in Browser” Preference (Adobe 10.0, 9.0, 8.0 Only)

1. Unlock the Windows Start menu and select Programs/All Programs to view the list of installed programs.
2. Choose Adobe Reader or Acrobat.

Note: Adobe XI (11.0) and later versions no longer display PDFs in the browser by default, so updating will resolve the issue.

3. Choose Edit, then select Preferences.
4. In the Preferences window, from the Categories list, select Internet.
5. De-select the “Display PDF in Browser” preference in the Web Browser Options section.
6. Select OK.

Case 5: QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error when Selecting a Transaction for Reconciliation

If a damaged Primary Name List and/or Chart of Accounts results in an Unrecoverable error when reconciling transactions, consider the following solutions:

1. Perform Basic Data Damage Troubleshooting
2. Restore Your Company File Using a Recent Backup or Auto Data Recovery (ADR)

Case 6: Data Damage on Company File

If your QB Desktop company file has data damage, do as follows:

1. Repair the company file with the rebuild data tool
2. Employ QB File Doctor
3. Use Rebuild Data manually

Case 7: Importing Data Changes

Several unrecoverable errors may arise while importing an accountant’s changes to a client’s company file. The import process resolves most of these errors automatically and completes the import. Once finished, QuickBooks Desktop generates a report listing the changes that couldn’t be imported and potential reasons why. The unapplied modifications can then be manually entered into the client’s company file.

Solution 1: Continue the Import Process

1. Choose ‘Send’ when the error message appears.
2. Select ‘OK’ to resume the import.
3. If changes aren’t applied to the client’s file, a list will be displayed. Manually enter these changes.

Solution 2: Verify Data and Recreate Change File

1. Restore a recent backup or the backup created during the accountant’s changes import.
2. Run a verify and rebuild data process on the client’s file.
3. Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.
4. Recreate the change file in the Accountant’s copy in QuickBooks Desktop.

Solution 3: Abandon Changes

1. Remove the accountant’s copy restriction in the client file.
2. Address data damage issues through basic troubleshooting.
3. Create an accountant’s copy to recreate the changes.

Case 8: QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error When Registering or Activating QB Desktop

In the process of registering or Activating QuickBooks Desktop application user might encounter an error that might say:

“QuickBooks Desktop Unrecoverable Error (error code) Microsoft .NET Framework is corrupted and needs to be repaired”

or

“Unrecoverable error: QBGDS plug-in has encountered a problem and needs to close.”

For detailed and step-by-step troubleshooting instructions, continue reading.

Solution 1: Repair Microsoft .NET Framework Manually

Microsoft .NET Framework is required to run QuickBooks Desktop application, and if this Windows component is not installed correctly or updated to the latest version, it can cause QuickBooks to commit errors. Try updating or reinstalling Microsoft .Net Framework to resolve QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error.

Solution 2: Check If QB Desktop Can Use SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0

1. Look for QuickBooks Help menu and click Internet Connection Setup.
2. Check-mark the option that says “Use my computer’s Internet connection settings to establish a connection when this application accesses the Internet” and then click Next.
3. Now go under Advanced Connection Settings and click Advanced tab at the top.
4. Under the Advanced Settings check if SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0 are selected, if not then choose both of these options.

Solution 3: Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

Running this tool will diagnose all the installation errors automatically in QuickBooks Desktop.

1. Close all the programs, open windows, and reboot your computer.
2. Download and run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool- Download Now.
3. Open QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool and follow the steps to repair the install.
4. After the repair process is complete, restart your computer and run the QuickBooks application.

Solution 4: Reinstall QuickBooks Using the QuickBooks Clean Install Tool

Solution 4: Reinstall QuickBooks Using the QuickBooks Clean Install Tool

If none of the above-mentioned troubleshooting steps works for you, then try reinstalling the QB Desktop application with the help of QuickBooks Clean Install Tool. Reinstalling will completely remove the app and rename all the installation folders for a fresh new installation of QuickBooks Desktop application.

This will resolve unrecoverable error when registering or activating QuickBooks Desktop.

Wrapping Up

The blog has listed the best steps for QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error to give you a sure-shot solution. The error has been reported in multiple QuickBooks versions, and the reasons for its occurrence might vary. Get the issue resolved with the technical team of QuickBooks to avoid hampering internal data by calling us at 1.855.738.2784.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.