Company file is missing or cannot be found

QuickBooksHelp · ‎December 10, 2018

Learn what to do if your company file is missing or can’t be found in QuickBooks Desktop.

If you try to open your company file and see the error:

Warning: The company file you selected could not be found. You can try one of the following:

Choose the 'Open or Restore Company...' command from the 'File' menu to look for this file in a different directory.

(or)

Use the 'Search' tool from the Windows 'Start Menu' to search for this file in your computer.

Don’t worry, it’s usually because your company file was moved or renamed. It can also happen if your computer is disconnected from the path where the QuickBooks file is located or your QuickBooks file has been deleted from your computer. To fix it, choose how you access your company file, then follow the steps.

Note: This article references the Accountant Copy File Transfer. Please be advised that this feature is only available in US and Canadian versions of QuickBooks Desktop.

If you are accessing your QuickBooks file over the network

Solution 1: Ping server to ensure you are connected to the network

By doing this, you’re checking if your computer is connected to your network. This is best done on a client workstation to make sure it can access the server.

Identify the name of your server computer.
1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo+R.
2. Enter CMD then click OK.
3. Enter ipconfig /all then press Enter.
4. Take note of the Host Name (servername).
Type ping [name of your server] then press Enter.
You should see a reply for each packet.
1. If you see a reply for each packet, it means your computer is connected to your network.
2. If you see a packet loss or a slow reply, your network should be checked out by a qualified IT professional.

If you’re connected to your network and still getting the same issue, proceed to solution 2.

Solution 2: Search for all company files

Go to your server computer and perform a wildcard search for all company files by typing one of the following into the search bar:

Note: Be sure to include the Asterisk (*) before the extension type to ensure the search works correctly.

*.qbw (Working Files)
*.qbb (Back Up Files)
*.qba (Accountants Copy Files)
*.qbx (Accountants Transfer Files)
*.qby (Accountants Change Files)

Once the file is found, make a note of the file's location and proceed to solution 3. If the file is not found, contact an IT professional to help locate the file.

Solution 3: Open your file in QuickBooks

Open the file depending on the type of your QuickBooks file.

Opening a company file (.qbw) or an accountant's copy (.qba)
1. From the File menu, select Open or Restore Company.
2. Select Open a Company File, then select Next.
3. Select the company file.
4. Select Open.
Restoring a Backup (.qbb)
1. From the File menu, select Open or Restore Company.
2. Select Restore a Backup File, then select Next.
3. Select Local backup.
4. Select the company file, then select Next.
5. Choose the location where you’d like to save the restored file (where you will be working with the file), then select Save.
Restore an Accountant's Copy Transfer file (.qbx)
1. From the File menu, select Open or Restore a company.
2. Select Convert and Accountant's Copy Transfer File, then select Next.
3. If the What the Accountant's Copy Can and Can't Do window is displayed, select Next.
4. Select the transfer file (.qbx), then select Open.
5. Choose the location where you’d like to save the Accountant's Copy File, then click Save.

If you are accessing your QuickBooks file saved locally on the same computer

Solution 1: Search for all company files

Go to your server computer and perform a wildcard search for all company files by typing one of the following into the search bar.

Note: Be sure to include the Asterisk (*) before the extension type to ensure the search works correctly.

*.qbw (Working Files)
*.qbb (Back Up Files)
*.qba (Accountants Copy Files)
*.qbx (Accountants Transfer Files)
*.qby (Accountants Change Files)

Once the file is found, make a note of the file's Location and proceed to solution 2. If the file is not found, contact an IT professional to help locate the file.

Solution 2: Open your file in QuickBooks

Open the file depending on the type of your QuickBooks file.

- Opening a company file (.qbw) or an accountant's copy (.qba)
  1. From the File menu, select Open or Restore Company.
  2. Select Open a Company File, then select Next.
  3. Select the company file.
  4. Select Open.
- Restoring a Backup (.qbb)
  1. From the File menu, select Open or Restore Company.
  2. Select Restore a Backup File, then select Next.
  3. Select a Local backup.
  4. Select the company file, then select Next.
  5. Select the location where you’d like to save the restored file (where you will be working with the file), then select Save.
- Restore an Accountant's Copy Transfer file (.qbx)
  1. From the File menu, select Open or Restore a company.
  2. Select Convert and Accountant's Copy Transfer File, then select Next.
  3. If the What the Accountant's Copy Can and Can't Do window is displayed, select Next.
  4. Select the transfer file (.qbx), then select Open.

Select the location where you’d like to save the Accountant's Copy File, then select Save.