How to Fix QuickBooks Abort Error – A Step by Step Guide

The QuickBooks abort error usually occurs in multi-user environments when working on or opening a company file. When it appears, it crashes the application suddenly, closes the program, or prevents you from accessing the company file. This sudden shutdown can also damage the QBWUSER.ini file.

The error usually appears with the following message:

“The connection to the company file has been lost. QuickBooks must close immediately. Any unsaved data will need to be re-entered.”

The error often appears when the system remains idle and goes into sleep mode, causing Windows to disable the Network Interface Card (NIC) to save power and drop the connection to the host server. It can also occur due to incorrect network setup or when multiple users access the same file simultaneously. In this guide, we will learn more about this error and the solutions to fix it. 

Possible Causes of QuickBooks Abort Error

You can experience the QuickBooks abort error due to one or more of the following reasons:

• Damaged or missing QBWUSER.INI files.
• Firewall and antivirus installed on your system is clashing with the QuickBooks processes.
• Hardware issues or corrupted system files on the system where your QuickBooks application is installed.
• Running different QuickBooks versions or mismatched updates across workstations in multi-user mode can cause file conflicts. To prevent data corruption during simultaneous access, the system safely aborts the connection and shuts down.
• Multiple computers hosting the QuickBooks company file.
• The computer goes to sleep or hibernation mode while saving the company files.
• Disruption in the flow of data between devices storing the company files. (When the files are saved and stored on different devices whereas your computer is on the network.)
• Hosting settings are turned off.
• Power-saving mode is enabled on your system. This allows your Windows to automatically turn off and network card or hard drive goes to sleep to save power.
• Unstable Internet connection. For example: Sudden connection loss between the workstations and server system.
• Company file you are trying to access or open lacks required permissions.
• QuickBooks company file is corrupted.
• Damaged operating system files.
• Company name is too lengthy.
• Lack of permissions to access the folder where the company file is saved.
• QuickBooks automatically logs the user out when it detects no mouse or keyboard activity to prevent unauthorized access to financial data.
• Windows turned off the network card during sleep mode.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix QuickBooks Abort Error

To fix the QuickBooks abort error, first try some basic steps,

• Check company file name. It should not contain special characters.
• Restart your QuickBooks and close unwanted applications.
• Make sure you’re logging into QuickBooks with administrative rights.
• Ensure your QuickBooks version is up-to-date by installing the latest application updates.
• If you encounter the error while accessing company file in a multi-user environment,  make sure your portable drive is connected correctly, working properly, and has enough available space.

If these do not work, then follow the below solutions to fix the abort error in QuickBooks.

Solution 1: Adjust Login Session Settings If QuickBooks Aborts when Idle

You may experience the abort error when a workstation went idle. It usually happens due to automated security timeout settings in QuickBooks Desktop. The application automatically signs you out when your computer is idle for too long to keep your data safe. If your network fails while QuickBooks is trying to sign you out, the workstation drops the connection to the host system completely, resulting in the abort error.

To resolve this, you can stop QuickBooks from disconnecting during periods of inactivity by extending the login session. Follow the given steps:

• In QuickBooks, go to Edit and then click Preferences.
• Select General and then Company Preferences.
• In Manage Login Settings, select Keep user logged in for.
• Select 1, 2, 7, 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on how long you need to stay signed in. Then, select OK.

Alternatively, go to Company > Users > Manage Login Settings > General and Set preferences.

Solution 2: Turn Off System Power Management Settings

The abort error can occur if the system remains idle or due to login locks. To fix this, you can disable your power management settings. This ensures the system’s hardware components remain responsive during QuickBooks login sessions. You can disable the power management settings by following the steps below:

• Go to the search field of the system on which your company file is stored.
• Click Power Options.
• Under Settings, turn off the power options such as sleep mode and standby option.

Solution 3: Check and Change Hosting Settings on the Server System

You can encounter the abort error due to incorrect Hosting Settings in QuickBooks. You can check and enable the multi-user hosting settings on the system hosting the company file. Here are the steps to do so:

• Open the QuickBooks on the server (system hosting company file).
• Navigate to File and then click the Utilities option.
• Click Host Multi-user Access. Click OK.

Solution 4: Check and Grant Folder Permissions

The QuickBooks abort error can appear if you don’t have permissions to access the folder containing the company file. So, verify the permissions and change them if required. To do this, follow the below steps:

• Open the File Explorer window (by pressing Windows + E keys).
• Go to the Folder (where your company file is saved), right-click on it, and then click Properties.
• On the Properties window, click the Security tab, select the user name, and then check whether all permissions are allowed.
• If not, then click Edit and enable the following:
• Full Control
• Read
• Write
• List folder contents
• Read & execute
• Modify
• Once you applied all the changes, click OK.

Solution 5: Check and Grant QBDataServiceUserXX Account Permissions

QuickBooks automatically creates a QuickBooks Data Service User Account (QBDataServiceUserXX) to manage database access and network connections. This local Windows account controls how the QuickBooks Database Server Manager (QBDBMgrN.exe) reads, writes, and communicates with your company file over the network.

Sometimes, after downloading software updates, upgrading to a new version, or due to any other changes (such as Windows security updates, antivirus changes, etc.), this account loses its folder permissions. When this happens, it interrupts the background connection between the workstations and the host system, leading to the “Abort error: Connection has been lost. QuickBooks must shut down immediately” message while accessing the data.

Because QBDataServiceUserXX is a background Windows service account, you cannot log into it directly. Instead, you must use your primary Windows Administrator account to grant it proper NTFS and Sharing permissions.

According to Intuit QuickBooks document, to check and grant permissions for the QBDataServiceUserXX account, follow the steps below:

• From your Windows Start menu, open File Explorer.

• Right-click the folder that contains the company file. Then, select Properties.
• On the Security tab, select Advanced.
• Select QBDataServiceUserXXand check the following settings:
• Traverse Folder/Execute File
• List Folder/Read Data
• Read Attributes
• Read Extended Attributes
• Create Files/Write Data
• Create Folders/Append Data
• Write Attributes
• Write Extended Attributes
• Read Permissions

Note: The “XX” in QBDataServiceUserXX indicates your version of QuickBooks. For example, QuickBooks Desktop 2019 uses QBDataServiceUser29, and QuickBooks Desktop 2018 uses QBDataServiceUser28.”

• If the permissions aren’t allowed, click Edit.
• Choose QBDataServiceUserXX, select Full Control, and then Allow.
• Select Apply > OK.

Solution 6: Check the Network Connection

The QuickBooks abort error can also occur if you have an unstable network connection. It usually occurs when you try to open the company file stored on another system and there is connectivity problems between QuickBooks and company file or incorrect network configuration setting. To troubleshoot this issue, reconfigure the settings and fix the network-related issues.

Solution 7: Check the Exceptions in Firewall Settings

If you haven’t provided exceptions for QuickBooks files in Firewall Settings, then it may block access to company files in a multi-user environment. You can check the Firewall Settings and make sure exception for QBW32.exe, QBUpdate.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, and QBDBMgrN.exe files are allowed. Here’s how to do so:

• In your system’s start menu, type Windows Firewall, and press the Enter key.
• In Windows Firewall, click the Advanced Settings option.
• Next, right-click on the Inbound Rules and then click on New Rule.
• Click the Program option and then click Next.
• Click This Program Path and then click Browse.
• Search and select QBW32.exe.
• Click Next and click Allow the connection.
• Make sure all profiles are marked and then click Next.
• Create a rule and give a name.

Note: Repeat the same steps for outbound rules (select Outbound Rules, instead of inbound rules) and create exceptions for QBUpdate.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, and QBDBMgrN.exe.

Solution 8: Rename QBWUSER.ini file on your System

The aborting issue in QuickBooks can occur if the QBWUSER.ini file is damaged or corrupted. This file contains critical QuickBooks application-related settings. Renaming this file re-generates it and helps to resolve the issue. To rename the QBWUSER.ini file, follow these steps:

• Open the folder containing the QBWUSER.ini file. Generally, this folder is located at:

Users[Your user name]AppDataLocalIntuitQuickBooks [year].

• Once located, right-click on the QBWUSER.ini file and then click the Rename option.
• Next, add .old at the end of the file name. For instance, QBWUSER.ini.old.
• Now, open the company file to check whether the error is fixed or not.

Solution 9: Run QuickBooks Tool Hub

The abort error in QuickBooks may also arise when the application fails to run its background processes properly. It usually happens when the connection gets interrupted due to damaged setup files or Windows components. You can download, install, and launch the latest version of the QuickBooks Tool Hub to resolve the issues. In the Tool Hub, you can run the following utilities:

• QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool: Fixes issues in setup files and damaged Windows operating system components. To run this, in Tool Hub, click Installation issues and then click QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool.

• Quick Fix My Program: It shuts down the background processes and refreshes the application. To use it, in your Tool hub, select Program files and then click Quick Fix My Program.
• QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool: This tool scans and repairs Microsoft components (.Net Framework, MSXML, and Visual C++ Redistributable packages) that are required by the application. To run it, in tool hub, select Program files and then click QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool.

Solution 10: Repair your Company File

The QuickBooks abort error can also occur due to issues within the company (QBW) file. The file may be damaged or corrupted. To check whether the file is corrupted or not, you can run Verify Data tool in QuickBooks and then Rebuild Data tool to repair the corrupt company file. But it works only when you are able to access your company file. If you fail to access the company file, then you can use QuickBooks File Doctor. This tool is also component of QuickBooks Tool Hub. You can use it to find and fix the company file issues. Here are the steps to use this tool:

• On the QuickBooks tool hub, click Company File Issues.
• Click Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
• Once the tool starts, choose the damaged company file from the dropdown menu.
• Click the option labeled – Check your file and then click Continue.
• In the displayed window, fill in the required credentials and click Next.
• The tool may take some time to scan, depending on the size of company file.
• Once the scan is complete, open the QBW file to check whether the error is fixed.

The QuickBooks File Doctor tool can help you repair company file, but it often fails on large-sized or severely corrupted company file. It also requires administrator credentials. Many accounting professionals and users in the QuickBooks support community have reported that the tool sometimes fails to recognize valid admin credentials, incorrectly displaying an error that the username or password is incorrect.

Repair your Company file using Stellar Repair for QuickBooks

If the above tool fails to repair or recognize your company file, then you can use Stellar Repair for QuickBooks. It can repair severely corrupted company files. You don’t require the backup file (.QBB) or admin credentials to use the tool to repair the file. It can help you recover all the data from the damaged company file. Also, there is no file size limitations. It has a simple UI that makes the repair process easy and quick. The tool supports company files of all QuickBooks editions, including Pro, Premier, and Enterprise solutions.

Conclusion

The abort error forces the QuickBooks application to close unexpectedly. It is unpredictable and can occur for a variety of reasons. It usually happens when the application fails to access the company file due to network issues, damaged QBWUSER.INI file, or Windows Power Saving mode settings. You can follow the troubleshooting solutions discussed in this guide to resolve the QuickBooks abort error. If file corruption is the cause, first try the QuickBooks File Doctor tool. If it fails or displays an error, use Stellar Repair for QuickBooks to quickly repair the QBW file and recover the data.

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