The QuickBooks H202 error message mainly occurs while switching from QuickBooks single-user mode to multi-user mode.
This error message indicates a connection loss between the Server and QuickBooks, preventing you from accessing the QuickBooks company file.
The below post will present the causes and resolutions to resolve the H202 error code in QuickBooks.
It also explains using a QuickBooks repair tool to fix the H202 error in QuickBooks.
What Is QuickBooks Error H202?
The QuickBooks error H202 is a multi-user mode error that may occur when you try to open the company file stored on another system. It often happens due to a connection error, incorrect hosting settings, damaged .nd file, etc.
This error message appears like “QuickBooks could not open the file in multi-user mode (H202)” or “This company file is on another computer, and QuickBooks needs some help connecting.
What Are the Causes of the H202 Error in QuickBooks?
The common QuickBooks error H202 occurs when QuickBooks tries to establish a connection to the company file but fails to communicate with the server. This communication fails due to the below reasons:
- Wrong Hosting configuration settings
- Incorrect DNS server settings
- The Network data file (.ND) is damaged or corrupted
- The internal QuickBooks services such as QBCFMonitor or QuickBooksDBXX are not running on the server
- The QuickBooks Desktop is failed to get the IP address of the system hosting the company file
- If there are errors in QuickBooks Database Server Manager
Here are a few methods you can try to fix the Error-
Step 1: Test network connectivity
Ping your Server from the workstation to verify the connection. Follow the steps to ping the network:
- Click the Windows Start menu on the system.
- Enter Run into the search box to open the Run window.
- Type “CMD” into the Run window and hit Enter key.
Write Ping [server name] to ping the server name from your
workstation.
(Tips: Type “This PC” in the search box, right-click on it, select Properties to find the name of the listed computer) - Press Enter key.
If you find any packet loss or get a slow reply, it indicates a network error; follow the next resolution.
Step 2: Verify the services on the Server
- First, make sure you have enabled multi-user hosting. Tip: (Go to File menu > Utilities > Host Multi-User Access and then select Yes.)
- Open the QuickBooks on your server system.
- Check the QuickBooks services (QuickbooksDBXX & QBCFMonitorService) running on the system using the below steps:
- Click on the Windows start menu and type Run into the search bar to open Run Window.
- Enter **“services.msc” **in the Run window, hit the Enter key.
- Search and double-click QuickBooksDBXX on the list.
- Choose the Automatic tab for the Startup type.
- Ensure that the Service status is “Running”. If it is not found, then click Start.
- Choose the Recovery option.
- Click Restart the Service from the drop-down menus: First Failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures, as shown in the figure.
- Choose Apply and then click OK to save the applied changes.
- Repeat the same above-mentioned steps for QBCFMonitorService.
Step 3: Add your server to the Windows hosts file
Sometimes, an incorrect host file configuration causes the QuickBooks error H202 on the screen. So you need to edit the Windows hosts file to resolve the issue using the below steps:
Note: The Server system hosts the company file, and the workstations are the other system that accesses that company file in the Server.
- Open the Run window using a short key (Windows+R).
- Enter “cmd” into the Run box, hit the Enter key.
- Write “ipconfig/all” then press Enter.
- Note down the Hostname and the IP Address.
- Repeat the same steps for other workstations too.
- Follow the steps to make changes on the Windows hosts file:
- Open the Windows start menu in the server system
- Choose the Computer tab.
- Follow either path:
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc
C:\Windows\Syswow64\Drivers\Etc
4. Go to the **host file** and double-click on it.
5. Choose **Notepad.**
6. Write the **IP address** with the **computer name.** You can use the Tab key for a space.
**Note:** The server system should have the workstation’s IP and Computer name and the workstation should have the Server’s IP and computer name.
7. Once you are done with updating the * *IP address* in the Notepad on both **Server and workstations** , save the file. Here are the steps:
8. In Notepad, click the File menu, and choose **Save.**
9. Fill the **file name** as **hosts** with quotation marks.
10. Choose **Desktop** and click **Save.**
11. Now search for the **saved file,** right-click on it, and choose **Copy.**
12. Browse to the file location used earlier, search the host’s file, right-click on it and click Rename.
13. Rename the **host file** to **host old.**
14. Click **Continue** tab.
15. Press **Ctrl+V** and click **Continue.**
16. Once you are done, open QuickBooks and check if everything works correctly. If not, follow the next solution
### Step 4: Run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager Using the QuickBooks Tool Hub
If the H202 error is due to the error in the **QuickBooks database server manager,** then running the QuickBooks database server manager using the QuickBooks Tool hub fixes the error. Follow the steps to use the **QuickBooks Tool hub on Windows:**
* Close **QuickBooks Desktop.**
* Download and install the **QuickBooks Tool Hub software** .
* Once the installation completes, double-click the tool hub icon on the Desktop.
* Follow the steps to run the **QuickBooks Database Server Manager** on the **QuickBooks Tools Hub:**
* Select the **Network Issues** tab.
* Choose **QuickBooks Database Server Manager.**
* Click **Start Scan** to view the **company file folders.**
* The QuickBooks Database Server Manager will start fixing the firewall permissions automatically.
* When the scan is completed, click **Close.**
* Next, Open QuickBooks on the system showing the H202 error message.
* Click the **File** button and select **Switch to Multi-user Mode.**
* Open **Tool Hub** , choose **Company File issues.**
* Click **Run QuickBooks File Doctor.**
* Select **Company File Issues** from the tool hub.
* Choose **“Check your file.”**
* Click the **Continue tab.**
* Fill out the QuickBooks admin credentials.
* Click the **Next** button.
If you still face the QuickBooks H202 error, then Run QuickBooks File
Doctor tool to fix network issues preventing multiple connections to the Server.
After performing the above resolutions, if the error persists, it might be because of a corrupted company file. Make sure you have created the company file backup to restore the QuickBooks data.
But, sometimes, while trying a backup restore, the system displays an error it might be due to your QuickBooks Company file being severely corrupted. Try the professional-recommended Repair for QuickBooks.
This tool will help you fix the H202 error if it is due to a damaged company file and also helps recover the company file data without making changes to the original file.
Here are the steps to use this utility:
* **Download, install** and **launch** Repair for QuickBooks
* Choose and find the corrupted Company file
* Click **Open** .
* Click on the **Next** tab.
* Choose the **file path** in the text field
* Click **Next.**
* The **Review and Scan** window gets displayed.
* Click the Scan tab to begin the process.
* After a scan completes, a Scan summary window with Scan details will appear.
* Click **OK** to preview the scanned data.
* The preview window will display all the recoverable QuickBooks data.
* Click **Save** to save the repaired file.
* Once the repair completes, it will display a dialog box with the message “repair process completed successfully”.
* Click **OK.**
Follow the above resolutions to resolve QuickBooks error H202.
In addition, make sure you have created the company file backup and keep **Repair for QuickBooks software** handy with you for repairing of the QuickBooks Company file and its components.
If nothing works, you can contact the Intuit support team for professional assistance.