How to Fix the QuickBooks Error 61696? A Complete Guide

Last Updated on February 16, 2026

The QuickBooks error 61696 is a company file error code that can appear on your screen when you try to open your company file in the QB Desktop application. You might encounter this error due to a damaged QBDT company file or the Firewall blocking the QB app. It can render you unable to open the company file in QBDT. This can hamper your workflow and have a negative impact on your accounting and bookkeeping processes, ultimately affecting your business progress. You can fix the 61696 error code in QuickBooks by verifying and rebuilding the company file data from the File menu in QB Desktop.

We’ll cover the steps you need to know to troubleshoot the company file error in QBDT in this blog. First, let’s start with the potential causes of the error code 61696 in QuickBooks Desktop.

Are you having trouble opening your company file in QuickBooks Desktop? Don’t waste time, ring our Accounting Helpline experts at 1.855.738.2784 today to resolve your issue at a moment’s notice!

What is the QuickBooks Company File Error 61696? A Short Explanation

The QuickBooks error 61696 is a company file error that occurs in the QB Desktop application if your company file is damaged or corrupted. It can also occur if you have program problems with the QBDT app, or if the Firewall is blocking it. It can make you unable to access your company file data and work on it.

Potential Causes of the QuickBooks Company File Corruption Error 61696

Given below are the potential factors that can trigger the issues of the QuickBooks error 61696 to appear on your screen:

1. The Firewall is blocking the QBDT software – prevents QuickBooks from working properly.
2. Program problems with the QB Desktop app – a damaged QB Desktop program might be unable to read the company file.
3. The company file is set to read only – you won’t be able to edit or open the company file.
4. A damaged or corrupted QB Desktop company file cannot be opened until it is repaired.
5. Inadequate folder permissions – you don’t have access to the folder your company file is stored in
6. Incorrect UAC settings.
7. Installation issues with the QB Desktop application – installation issues can cause trouble opening your company file.
8. An outdated QB Desktop application – an outdated QB app might cause incompatibility issues with your company file.

These are the causes of QuickBooks error code 61696.

What Users May Experience With the QuickBooks Error 61696

If you’re a small business owner or accountant, it can be difficult to deal with complex technical errors such as the QuickBooks Desktop company file error 61696. Some of the things you might experience while encountering the error 61696 are:

1. You might be unable to open your company file.
2. Your QuickBooks app might crash unexpectedly.
3. An error message may appear on your screen with a code 61696.
4. You won’t be able to access your accounting and bookkeeping data.

Now, let us take a look at how you can fix the QB Desktop error code 61696.

Methods to Resolve the QuickBooks Desktop Company File Error 61696

Listed below are the methods you should know to troubleshoot the QuickBooks Desktop error code 61696:

Update Your QB Desktop App

If your QB Desktop application is outdated, you might encounter the QuickBooks error code 61696. To patch this issue, you have to update the QuickBooks Desktop application with the steps given below:

1. Open the QuickBooks Desktop software.
2. Navigate to the Help menu.
3. Click on Update QuickBooks Desktop.
   
4. Then, select Update Now.
5. Click on the Get Updates option.
   
6. Close and reopen the QBDT app to install the updates.

This should patch the company file error 61696.

Check the Windows Permissions for QuickBooks

If your Windows permissions are set inadequately for the QuickBooks Desktop app, you can face the QB company file error 61696. You can resolve it by making sure the Windows permissions are set correctly with the steps given below:

1. Open the File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the Intuit folder’s location.
3. Right-click on the Intuit folder.
4. Select the Properties option.
5. Navigate to the Security tab.
6. Click on the Advanced button.
7. Then, in the Owner field, make sure the Users group is selected.
8. If you see System or something other than Users, perform these steps:
   • Go to Advanced Security Settings.
   • Click on Change in the Owner field.
   • Type in USERS.
   • Hit Enter.
   • Mark the Replace owner on sub-containers and objects checkbox.
   • Click on Users (YOUR COMPUTER NAME\Users) and mark Full Control.
   • Press OK.
9. Now, click on Edit in the Security tab.
10. Press Users (YOUR COMPUTER NAME\Users).
11. Mark the Full Control box.
12. Hit OK.

You should now be able to access your company file.

Make Sure that the File is Not Set to Read-Only

If your QB Desktop company file is set to read-only, you will have trouble opening it through the QBDT application, and trigger the QuickBooks error 61696. To resolve it, verify the read-only status with the steps given below:

1. Open the File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the folder where your company file is located.
3. Find your company file.
4. Right-click on your company file (.QBW).
5. Select Properties.
6. Navigate to the General tab.
7. Unmark Read Only if it is checked.
8. Press OK.

Now, the error you should be dealing with should be fixed.

Use the Quick Fix My Program Tool

You can use the Quick Fix My Program tool from the QB Tool Hub to mend the QuickBooks error 61696 with the following steps:

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

The tool would run and fix any program problems with QBDT.

Use the QB Install Diagnostic Tool

The QB Install Diagnostic Tool can be used to fix installation issues with the QB Desktop app using the steps given below:

1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub app.
2. Navigate to the Installation Issues tab.
3. Click on the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.
   
4. Let the tool run.
5. It can take up to 20 minutes to finish working.

The tool would fix any installation issues with your QB Desktop application.

Use the QB Desktop Application as an Admin

You can use the QB Desktop application as an administrator to check if it resolves the QuickBooks error 61696 with the steps given below:

1. Close the QB Desktop app.
2. Right-click on the QuickBooks icon.
3. Click on Run as Administrator.
   
4. Try to open your company file again.

You should now be able to open your company file in QuickBooks Desktop.

Use the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

The QuickBooks File Doctor Tool can be used from the QB Tool Hub application to fix a damaged or corrupted company file using the steps given below:

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

Now, the QuickBooks company file error 61696 should be resolved.

Verify and Rebuild the Company File Data

If your company file is damaged, you can use the Verify and Rebuild utility from the File menu in QuickBooks to fix it using the steps given to you below:

1. Open the QB Desktop app.
2. Navigate to the File menu.
3. Click on Utilities.
4. Select 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 create a backup file before it rebuilds your data.
9. Press OK.
10. A backup is required to rebuild your company file.
11. Choose where the file would be saved.
12. Hit OK.
13. Make sure not to replace an existing backup file.
14. Enter a unique name in the File name field.
15. Press Save.
16. You will get a message stating that Rebuild has completed.
17. Hit OK.

Now, you should be able to work on your company file again without any issues.

Turn the UAC Settings On and Off

The User Account Control (UAC) settings can be changed to resolve the QuickBooks error 61696 with the following steps:

1. Close the QB Desktop app.
2. Open the Start menu.
3. Search for and open the User Account Control.
4. Navigate to Settings.
5. Click on Change User Account Control Settings.
   
6. Move the slider to Always Notify.

This would patch the company file error.

Create Firewall Exclusions for the QB Desktop App

The QuickBooks Desktop’s executable files might be blocked by your Windows Firewall. This can give rise to the QB company file error code 61696. To resolve it, make Firewall exceptions for the executable files given to you in the table below:

Now, proceed to make Firewall exceptions for these executable files using the steps given below:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Search for the Windows Firewall.
3. Open the Windows Firewall.
4. Select the Advanced Settings option.
   
5. Then, right-click on Inbound Rules:
   
   • You will have to create Outbound Rules after creating Inbound Rules.
6. Click on New Rule.
7. Select Program.
8. Press Next.
9. Proceed to click on This Program Path.
   
10. Now, choose Browse.
11. Locate and select one of the executable files given in the table above.
12. Hit Next.
13. Click on the Allow the Connection option.
14. Press Next.
15. Ensure all profiles are marked if you are prompted.
16. Hit Next.
17. Create a rule.
18. Name it something like QBFirewallException(name.exe).
19. Repeat the steps for each executable file given in the table above.

Then, you should just repeat the steps again to create Outbound Rules. Just right-click on Outbound Rules instead of Inbound Rules after you select Advanced Settings and follow the rest of the steps as they are.

Restore Backup Copy of Your Company File

You can restore a previously made backup copy of your QuickBooks Desktop company file if your current one isn’t working with the steps given below:

1. Open the QB Desktop app.
2. Navigate to the File menu.
3. Click on Open or Restore Company.
   
4. Select the Restore a backup copy option.
   
5. Press Next.
6. Select Local Backup.
7. Hit Next.
8. Find the backup file on your PC.
9. The backup file looks like this: [Your company name].qbb.
10. Choose the folder where your restored file would be saved.
11. Select Open.
12. Hit Save.
13. If you see a warning about overwriting data, choose the option that best suits your needs.
14. Do not overwrite anything unless you wish to.

Now, the QuickBooks error 61696 should be patched.

Clean Install the QB Desktop App

You can clean install the QuickBooks Desktop application if you are facing the company file error 61696 with the steps given below:

Uninstall QB Desktop

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Search for and open the Control Panel.
3. Click on Uninstall a Program.
   
4. Choose QuickBooks Desktop from the list of programs you see.
5. Select Uninstall/Change.
6. Press Remove.
7. Click on Next.

Rename the QB Installation Folders

1. Open the File Explorer on your PC.
2. Go to the folder containing your QB Company file.
3. It’s usually in one of these locations:
   • C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
4. Right-click on the folder.
5. Press Rename.
6. Add the word old at the end of the folder name.

Install QBDT Again

1. Open the QuickBooks.exe file.
2. Choose between these two options:
   • Express Install
   • Custom and Network Options
3. Click on Next.
4. Hit Install.

Now, this problem will be resolved.

How to Prevent the QuickBooks Desktop Error Code 61696?

You can prevent the QB Desktop error code 61696 with the methods given below:

1. Make sure you keep your QB Desktop app updated.
2. Keep using the verify data tool to check the file integrity.
3. Use the Rebuild data tool to repair any file damage.
4. Ensure that there are no abrupt shutdowns or closures of the QB app.

These are the causes of the QuickBooks error 61696.

QuickBooks Error 61696 – A Quick View Table

In the table below is given a concise summary of this blog on the topic of the QuickBooks company file error 61696:

Conclusion

While trying to open your company file in the QB Desktop application, you can encounter the QuickBooks error 61696, which is a company file error. You may encounter this error due to a damaged QB Desktop company file or the Firewall blocking the QBDT app. It can render you unable to open the company file in QBDT. This can hamper your workflow and negatively impact your accounting and bookkeeping processes, ultimately stopping your business progress. You can fix the 61696 error code in QB by using the Verify and Rebuild Data utility to rebuild the company file data.

We have covered the potential factors that can trigger the QuickBooks Desktop company file corruption error code 61696 to appear on your screen, along with the methods you need to know to troubleshoot it, in this blog. If you are still unable to open your company file in the QB Desktop application and are facing the error code 61696, feel free to contact our Accounting Helpline experts at 1.855.738.2784 today, who can help resolve your issue at a moment’s notice!

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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.