Cant create a bank file for bill payment: "Something you're trying to use has been made inactive. Check the fields with accounts, customers, items, vendors or employees"

Let's work together, Kate. I'm here to ensure everything goes smoothly.

The error you receive indicates that something you are trying to use has been made inactive. To resolve this, check the fields related to accounts, customers, items, vendors, or employees for any inactive entries. 
 

To check if the vendor or supplier you have selected is inactive, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Expenses menu, then Suppliers.
2. Look for the person you're trying to send a remittance.
3. If they are not on the list, click the small Gear icon.
4. Tick the Include Inactive option.
5. Scroll down and find your supplier.
6. Hit Make active.

Now, let's confirm that the account you've chosen is active.

1. Hover to the Transactions menu. Click the Chart of Accounts tab.
2. Locate the account. If it's not on the list, press the small Gear icon.
3. Tick the Include Inactive option.
4. Find the account and select Make active.

Meanwhile, make sure that you have enable batch payments feature first when you create a bank file. Please follow these steps if you haven't done this.

1. On the Chart of Accounts page, locate your bank.
2. In the Action column dropdown, select Edit.
3. Tick the box I create batch payments for this account.
4. Fill in the relevant information for your bank. Save and Close.

Refer to this article for more details: How to enable batch payments or create ABA Files. 

If the issue remains after confirming that the suppliers and accounts are active, I suggest contacting our customer care team. Our experts can further diagnose this matter. 

You might want to learn how to manage your vendors or suppliers including your chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online. See these articles for more reference: 
 

• Handle supplier refunds and credits. 
• Run a report with supplier totals. 
• Learn about the chart of accounts. 
   

After you've followed the recommended steps, I hope everything works out smoothly. I'm committed to making sure you have the support you need so tell me how it goes. 

Thanks,  I've tried all of the above, and still get the same error.

Your feedback on the troubleshooting steps is appreciated, kate100. We'll ensure you reach the right support team to fix the error so you can generate a bank file for your bill payment.
 

Since you still encounter an error, it's a good idea to contact our QuickBooks Online (QBO) Care Team for further investigation. Once they identify the issue, our specialists will help you implement a permanent solution. This will allow you to create a bank file for the bill payment.
 

Here's how to contact us:
 

1. In your company, go to the Help icon in the upper left to see more details
2. Go to the Assistant tab and enter a brief description of your concern in the Type or ask something box.
3. Click the Contact us link to view the support options.
4. Select Callback to speak with our phone agents or Chat to initiate a conversation.
   
   

Also, we're open Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-6:30 PM AET. Refer to this article for more details: Contacting QuickBooks Support.

Feel free to check out each link below for helpful tips on managing supplier expenses, bills, and payments:

• Enter and manage bills and bill payments in QuickBooks Online
• Learn the difference between bills, cheques, and expenses in QuickBooks Online
   

Furthermore, refer to these resources for assistance on assigning a preferred supplier to particular inventory items and generating a monthly expense report:
 

• How to run and save a monthly expense report by supplier
• How to add a preferred supplier and create a purchase order using that preferred supplier in QuickBo...
  
  

Stay in touch if you need assistance navigating QBO or have other supplier-related concerns or questions. The Community is always available to lend a hand.