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If you're a business owner or accountant who relies on QuickBooks for daily financial management, encountering the QuickBooks H505 error can be frustrating. This error typically occurs when you attempt to access a company file located on another computer, and something goes wrong with the multi-user setup. Don’t worry — this issue is fairly common and can usually be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. If you want immediate support, don’t hesitate to call 1-855-526-5749 and speak to a QuickBooks expert.
"This company file is on another computer, and QuickBooks needs some help connecting."
You may also notice that:
What Is QuickBooks H505 Error?
The H505 error is part of the "H series" errors in QuickBooks, which are all related to hosting settings and connectivity issues in a multi-user environment. Specifically, QuickBooks H505 occurs when a user is trying to access a company file on another computer, but QuickBooks cannot communicate with the server.Common Causes of QuickBooks H505 Error
Understanding the root cause of the error is the first step toward fixing it. Here are some typical reasons why you might encounter this error:- Incorrect Hosting Configuration: The system hosting the company file isn’t set up correctly.
- Firewall Blocking Communication: Your firewall may be blocking QuickBooks from accessing the server.
- Damaged or Improper .ND File: The Network Data (.ND) file used to access company files may be corrupted.
- DNS Issues: Domain name system settings may not be correctly configured, leading to communication problems.
- QuickBooks Services Not Running: Essential services like QuickBooksDBXX or QBCFMonitor may not be active.
How to Identify QuickBooks H505 Error
You’ll typically see a message like:"This company file is on another computer, and QuickBooks needs some help connecting."
You may also notice that:
- QuickBooks fails to open a file in multi-user mode
- Your system runs slow or hangs
- You lose access to company files intermittently
How to Fix QuickBooks H505 Error
Here are several methods to resolve the issue. Try them in order and check after each step to see if the problem is resolved.1. Verify Hosting Settings
Make sure only the server computer is hosting the file:- Go to File > Utilities
- If you see Host Multi-User Access, it means hosting is off (which is fine on workstations)
- If you see Stop Hosting Multi-User Access, select it to disable hosting on workstations
2. Use QuickBooks File Doctor
QuickBooks provides a free tool called QuickBooks File Doctor, which can automatically diagnose and fix many issues:- Download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub
- Launch the Tool Hub and click on Company File Issues
- Run QuickBooks File Doctor and follow on-screen instructions
3. Configure Firewall and Antivirus Settings
Allow QuickBooks ports through your firewall:- Open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall
- Click on Advanced Settings
- Add inbound and outbound rules for QuickBooks ports (specific to your version)
- Make sure QuickBooks has full access
4. Rename the .ND File
The .ND file helps QuickBooks access company files over a network. Renaming it forces QuickBooks to recreate it:- Go to the folder containing your company file
- Find the file with the same name as your company file but ending in .ND
- Right-click and rename it to [filename].ND.old
5. Check QuickBooks Services
Make sure QuickBooks services are running:- Press Windows + R, type services.msc
- Find QuickBooksDBXX and QBCFMonitorService
- Ensure both are set to Automatic and are running
6. Edit Host File for Name Resolution
If DNS isn’t resolving the server name properly:- Open Notepad as Administrator
- Navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\hosts
- Add the server IP and computer name
Preventing the H505 Error in the Future
Once resolved, take these steps to avoid future occurrences:- Keep QuickBooks updated
- Regularly check firewall and antivirus settings
- Train staff on proper multi-user setup procedures
- Regularly back up your .ND and .TLG files