Effortless Fixes to the QuickBooks Error 6138 105 – 6000 Series

Last Updated on September 24, 2025

Sometimes, you may get the QuickBooks error 6138 105 while they are trying to open a company file or restore a backup file. When this happens, it becomes difficult for you to open the company file on the shared network. This error is a part of the 6000 series that is categorized together based on company file issues. One of the primary reasons for this problem to occur is when the company file is hosted by a computer that’s not the server. In this guide, we have provided you with the top solutions for the QuickBooks Desktop error 6138 105 that you can easily perform.

The QuickBooks error 6138 105 can delay your tasks as you fail to access the company file. If you are looking for quick resolutions, dial 1.855.738.2784 to connect with our Accounting Helpline’s experts.

What are the Key Reasons Behind the QuickBooks Error Code 6138 105?

The following reasons are some of the key factors that cause the QuickBooks error 6138 105, which prevents you from opening the company file.

1. The company data file may have been damaged, so it is no longer accessible.
2. The company file may be getting hosted by a workstation.
3. Your company file is stored in a corrupted folder.
4. The QuickBooks Desktop application may not be up to date, or the update may be stuck and may lack new features.
5. Crucial system files such as the Network Data (.ND) and Transaction Log (.TLG) files may have been damaged or failed to operate correctly.
6. There may have been an improper installation of the application, or the installation files for QBDT might be damaged.
7. QuickBooks Enterprise might not have administrator permissions to access the files.
8. Your hosting setup may not have been set up correctly to share company files over a network.
9. A weak and poor internet connection can lead to QuickBooks error 6138 105 while opening a company file.
10. There may be a lack of folder permissions to access the QuickBooks company file.
11. Windows firewall or antivirus software might be misconfigured and cause disruption between QuickBooks and the Intuit server.
12. The company data file might be missing from the host server.
13. There may be some malware or a virus on your system that causes interference with QB Desktop.
14. The company file might be getting hosted by more than one workstation instead of a server system over a network.
15. The QuickBooks Database Server Manager may not be set up properly.

These are the main reasons for the QuickBooks error message 6138 105 to occur and lead to the company file not opening issue. Now, proceed to the following section to examine some effective resolutions for addressing this problem.

Working Solutions to Resolve the QuickBooks Error 6138 105

Here, we have listed some of the top methods to get rid of the QB error 6138 105 on your computer and seamlessly access the company data file. Follow these methods in the given order to not only solve this issue but also prevent it from occurring again.

Solution 1: Modify the Hosting Settings Across Computers

As discussed above, this error can occur when the company file is being hosted on one or more workstations rather than a host server system. Therefore, follow the steps outlined below to make sure that the host server is hosting the company file.

Steps to Take On a Host Server

The following steps must be completed on the host server system, which will be used to store the company data file. You can share the company file across workstations via the shared network to avoid QuickBooks error 6138 105.

1. Open and log in to the QuickBooks Desktop application.
2. Expand the File menu and click on Utilities.
3. Select ‘Host Multi-User Access’ from the panel.
   
4. If you are displayed the ‘Stop Hosting Multi-User Access’ option, then leave it as is.
   

If you find that the QuickBooks multi-user mode is not working, then fix it by referring to the given guide. Once you have shared the multi-user access through the host server, take the following steps on the workstations.

Steps to Take Across Workstations

The following steps are to be completed across all the workstations that will be used to access the company data file through the shared network.

1. Launch QuickBooks Enterprise and log in.
2. Open the File menu and tap on Utilities.
3. If you see the ‘Host Multi-User Access’ option, then leave it as is.
4. In case you get the ‘Stop Hosting Multi-User Access’ option, click it.

Repeat these steps across all workstations till you turn off the host multi-user access on them so that they don’t cause any interference with the host server and the company file on the shared network. If this does not resolve the QuickBooks error 6138 105, then move on to the following method and run the QB File Doctor tool.

Solution 2: Run the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

You can use the QB File Doctor tool from QuickBooks Tool Hub to repair any damage to the company file. To do so, you can take the following steps and ensure that QB error 6138 105 does not arise.

1. Head to the official Intuit website and download the QB Tool Hub.
2. Install the QuickBooks Tool Hub on your system and open it.
   
3. Navigate to the Company File Issues section from the left panel.
4. There, you will find the ‘Run QuickBooks File Doctor’ button.
   
5. Choose the Browse option and use Search to locate your company file.
6. Once you have selected your company file, tap on Check your File and then hit Continue.
7. You may be asked to enter your admin password to proceed with this tool.
8. Hit Next and wait for the tool to complete the repair process.
9. It may take a while for the tool to run the process, depending on the size of your company file.

Is the QuickBooks File Doctor not working? You can check out this guide to resolve it. Once you are done with this process, exit the QB Tool Hub. Now, open QuickBooks Enterprise and verify whether you are still getting the company file not opening issue. If the issue continues to persist, then move on to the following method for changing the names of the .ND and the.TLG files to get rid of QuickBooks error 6138 105.

Solution 3: Renaming the.ND and TLG Files

Crucial QuickBooks files, such as the Network Data and Transaction Log files, are required to access the company file. The.ND is necessary for accessing the company file on a shared network or through multi-user mode. Moreover,.TLG files are essential to keep records of any changes that are made to the company file after the last backup.

If these files get corrupted or damaged, then opening the company file can lead to QuickBooks error 6138 105. To resolve this issue, follow these steps to rename these files on your system.

1. Open QuickBooks Enterprise and hit the F2 key.
2. You will see the Product Information window on your screen.
3. Click on the File Information tab and note down the company file location.
4. Now, press Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
5. Locate the company file there using the path that you noted down.
6. After that, find the files with the.ND and TLG extensions.
7. These files may appear as the following:
   • company_file.qbw.nd
   • company_file.qbw.tlg
8. In case you fail to locate these files, then update the Windows Files and Folder settings.
9. Click on View from the top bar in File Explorer.
10. On the right side of the panel, tap on the Options button.
11. Tap on View from the top bar in the Folder Options window.
12. Tick ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives‘ under the Advanced settings.
    
13. Press OK to save the changes, then locate the.ND and TLG files.
14. Once you find these files, right-click on them and choose Rename.
15. Add ‘.OLD’ after the name of both files, in the following manner.
    • company_file.qbw.nd.OLD
    • company_file.qbw.tlg.OLD
16. After you have completed this process, sign back in to QuickBooks.
17. New files will be created once you log in, and then try to open the company file now.

You will be required to scan the new files using the QB database server manager, which has been covered in solution 6. Verify whether the QuickBooks error 6138 105 occurs again or not. If it does, then you can try the following method for restoring a backup of the company file to resolve this issue.

Solution 4: Restore a Backup of the Company File

The company file that was being hosted over a shared network on the server system might have been damaged or corrupted. This can also lead to the QuickBooks Desktop error 6138 105 and cause the company file to not open. You can follow the method below to restore the backup file in case you fail to troubleshoot the error.

1. Make sure that the backup company file is stored in the local drive of your computer.
2. Transfer it to your computer if it’s stored on an external device like a USB drive.
3. Now, open QuickBooks Desktop and click on the File menu.
4. Then, select the ‘Open or Restore Company…’ option.
5. From the next window, choose ‘Restore a Backup Company’ and hit Next.
   
6. After that, click on Local Backup and proceed with Next.
7. Now, find the backup company file on your system, with the following name:
   • [Your company name].qbb
8. Then, choose a folder to save the restored company file in.
9. Once done, press OK and hit the Save button.

If your QuickBooks restore fails, then refer to this blog for guidance on resolving the issue. Make sure that you store the backup in a separate folder and not with the current company file; otherwise, there is a risk of the existing data getting overwritten. Alternatively, you can write a different name for the backup file or the current company file. You can also create a new folder to save the backup data file separately. If the QuickBooks error 6138 105 persists, then refer to the following procedure for updating your QB Desktop.

Solution 5: Update the QuickBooks Desktop Application

If you are using an outdated version of QB Desktop, then it can lead to errors due to a lack of new features and updates. The QuickBooks error code 6138 105 could possibly occur because of that as well. In order to resolve it, you can check out this blog to update QuickBooks across the host system and all workstations.

If the QB Desktop won’t update, then resolve it by following this article. Once you have updated to the latest version of QB across all computers, proceed to open the company file. If you still face the QuickBooks error message 6138 105, then run the QuickBooks database server manager to scan the company file for any issues. Make sure that you update the QBDSM before using it.

Solution 6: Run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager

The QB database server manager is necessary to host the company file. If the QuickBooks error 6138 105 did not get resolved even after changing the name.ND and TLG files, then follow this method. Learn how to restart and run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager from the QB Tool Hub to get rid of the company file not opening issue.

Restart the QB Database Server Manager

Follow the outlined steps to restart the QuickBooks Database Server Manager through the QB Desktop application.

1. Launch QuickBooks and tap on the File menu.
2. Click on the Open or Restore Company option.
3. Then, choose Open a company file and hit Next to open your company file.
4. Tick the Open file in multi-user mode checkbox and press Open.
5. If asked, then enter the admin user ID and password to sign in.
6. Then, expand the File menu and select Close Company/ Log Off.
7. Doing so will close the company file on the server.

Once you have completed these steps, move to the next process for running a scan after installing the QB database server manager on QuickBooks Desktop.

Scan the Folders through QBDSM

Make sure that you scan the folders that store the files before you share the company data files. You can scan them on the host computer by following the process below.

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Search for QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
   
3. Head to the Scan Folders tab.
4. Tap Browse and choose the folder containing your company file (.QBW).
5. Then, hit OK and press Start Scan when you’re ready.

Once the scan has been completed, you can find the folders in the QuickBooks company files found section. These folders can be used to access the company file over a shared network through workstations. If you are still running into the QuickBooks error 6138 105, then open a sample company file with the following method.

QuickBooks Database Server Manager network diagnostics failed? Then, you can refer to the given article to troubleshoot the issue.

Solution 7: Open a Sample Company File on a Workstation

In order to confirm whether you are getting this issue because of the company file or the QuickBooks Enterprise or Desktop, you can open a sample company file. Take the steps below to complete this process.

1. Right-click the QB Desktop icon on the home screen.
2. Select the ‘Run as administrator’ option.
   
3. The No Company Open window will appear on your screen.
4. Click on the Open a sample file option.
   
5. You will get a list of sample company files; choose any of them.
6. Wait and see whether the file opens or not.

If the sample company file fails to open, then the QuickBooks error 6138 105 has likely occurred due to an installation issue of QB. In order to fix that, you can refer to solution 8 to run the Quick Fix My Program and the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.

Solution 8: Repair QuickBooks Installation

If the QB Desktop program or the installation files have any issues, then it can lead to other problems as well. The QuickBooks error message 6138 105 may also be a result of this. You can use QB Tool Hub to run many utilities, such as the Quick Fix my Program and the QB install diagnostic tool, or the QuickBooks Clean Install tool. Moreover, you can repair the program file by using the repair feature that is built into Windows. To complete these troubleshooting methods, you can refer to the repair QuickBooks article and follow the solutions in the given order.

Make sure that you verify that the issue does not occur any longer after each method. By doing so, you won’t have to perform all these methods and risk losing your data. If you still see the QuickBooks error 6138 105, then you can move or copy the company file to the desktop.

Solution 9: Copy the Company File to the Desktop

You can move or copy the QuickBooks company file to the desktop to avoid using its original location folder. By doing so, you can check whether the QB error 6138 105 is occurring due to the location of the company file being damaged. Follow along with the given steps in the procedure below to move or copy the company file.

1. Press Windows and E keys to open the File Explorer.
2. Locate the folder that contains the company file (.QBW).
3. Right-click the company file and tap Copy.
4. Now, head to the desktop and right-tap on the screen.
5. Choose Paste from the menu.
6. Hold the Ctrl key.
7. Double-tap on the QuickBooks Desktop icon.
8. The No Company Open window will appear on your screen.
9. Click on Open or Restore an existing company option and select the file from the Desktop.
   

Once you have completed this process, you will be in one of the following scenarios:

• If the company file opens from the desktop, then the QuickBooks error 6138 105 was because of the folder location. The folder that stores the company file is damaged and corrupted.
• On the other hand, if you still fail to open the company file even after moving it to the desktop, then the file is likely damaged.

If you can now access the company file, then the folder containing it must have been damaged. In case you still face the issue, then move to the following method to close all the ongoing processes of QuickBooks Enterprise.

Solution 10: Close Ongoing QuickBooks Processes

Are there multiple processes of QB Desktop that are running in the background? These can cause interference with the application and possibly prevent the company file from opening. Make sure that you close these processes to avoid the QuickBooks error 6138 105 from taking place.

1. Sign in as a Windows admin.
2. Press Ctrl, Shift, and Esc keys 
3. The Task Manager will open.
   
4. Locate the following processes from the list:
   • QBW32.EXE
   • Qbupdate.exe
   • QBDBMgr.exe
5. Right-click on each of these processes and hit the End task button from the menu.

Once you close all the QB-related processes, try to open the company file in multi-user mode now. If the QuickBooks error 6138 105 still occurs, then read the following method to review the Windows and folder permissions.

Solution 11: Check the Windows and Folder Permissions Manually

If you do not have the necessary permissions, or the company file lacks required permissions, then you can run into such errors. To ensure sufficient permissions, you can manually verify them. Review the folder permissions on Windows and change them to set them correctly. Moreover, you can configure the Windows access permissions to share the company files across different operating systems. Additionally, you can also create a user with admin permissions to access the files.

After you are done setting the permissions to open the company file through the shared network, the QuickBooks error 6138 105 should not occur anymore. In case it does, you should modify the firewall ports and the antivirus software to avoid any disruption.

Solution 12: Modify the Firewall Ports and Antivirus Software

Sometimes, you may not be able to access the company file because the Windows firewall is blocking QuickBooks Enterprise. This can disrupt the internet connection between QB and the Intuit software and lead to the company file not opening issue. In order to get rid of this, you will be required to configure the firewall and antivirus software settings and ensure that inbound and outbound rules are set correctly. 

Lastly, go through the procedure below to make sure that the path to your company file does not exceed the character limit in QuickBooks Desktop.

Solution 13: Verify the Character Limit for Company File Path

This may not be the plausible cause for this error, but sometimes, issues like QuickBooks error 6138 105 can occur due to a character limit. The path of the company file must not exceed the limit of 210 characters. In order to check the characters used in the path, take the following steps.

1. Tap the Windows and X keys together.
2. Select File Explorer from the menu.
3. Navigate to the folder that stores the company file.
4. See the path to the file in the address bar.
5. Copy the path for the company file.
6. Paste the path into Notepad on your system.
7. Count the number of characters in the path.
8. Make sure it is under 210 characters.
9. For example, the following path is 126 characters.
   • C: Documents and Settings/ All Users/ Documents/Intuit/QuickBooks/Sample Company Files/QuickBooks 2025/Sample_company_file.qbw
10. Restore the backup file when the path crosses the limit.
11. Characters should remain under the 210 limit.

Once you have completed this process, verify whether you can open the company file now. We hope that you understood all the resolutions laid above and could easily resolve the QuickBooks error 6138 105. 

A QuickView Table for QuickBooks Desktop error 6138 105 of 6000 Series

In this segment, we have provided you with a tabulated overview of the QuickBooks error code 6138 105, which is a part of the 6000 series. These errors occur when you are unable to open the company file or when the company file is hosted by a computer that’s not the server.

The Bottom Line

The QuickBooks error 6138 105 can occur due to many reasons, making it impossible for users to open the company file. It is part of the error 6000 series, which occurs when the company file is hosted by a computer that’s not the server. In this article, we have discussed all the potential causes that can lead to this error. Along with that, a list of resolutions is provided in great detail to help you get rid of this error easily. Are you experiencing technical issues while fixing the QuickBooks error 6138 105? Our specialists are here to guide you. Dial 1.855.738.2784 and speak with an Accounting Helpline’s expert to get back on track.

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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.