QuickBooks HelpQuickBooksHelpIntuit

Crash: Com Error in QuickBooks Desktop

by Intuit Updated 5 months ago

Learn how to fix Crash: Com error in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.

While you open, work, or send forms in your QuickBooks, you may get this error message: Crash: Com Error. Don't worry, we can help. Try these solutions in order. If the error still occurs, follow the next one.

In this article, you'll learn how to:

  • Update QuickBooks
  • Update Microsoft Outlook
  • Set up Microsoft Outlook as the default mail app
  • Add an email account to Microsoft Outlook
  • Toggle mail settings
  • Create a new Microsoft Outlook email profile
  • Run QuickBooks in compatibility mode
  • Add Windows admin user


Solution 1: Update QuickBooks

This issue has been resolved in the latest release of QuickBooks. Update to the latest release.



Solution 2: Update Microsoft Outlook

  1. In Microsoft Outlook, go to File.
  2. Select Office Account, then Update Options.
  3. Select Update Now.


Solution 3: Set up Microsoft Outlook as the default mail app

  1. Go to Control Panel, then Programs.
  2. Select Default Programs.
  3. Select Set your default programs, then Mail.
  4. Select Outlook.


Solution 4: Add an email account to Microsoft Outlook

  1. In Microsoft Outlook, go to File.
  2. Select Info, then Add Account to start setup.
  3. Enter the email address you want to add, then Next.
  4. Wait for Microsoft Outlook to select the server, then Connect.
  5. Enter the password you use for the email address and then OK.
  6. Select OK to complete the setup.

If QuickBooks is unable to find Microsoft Outlook, follow these to see if it's one of the email options:

  1. Open QuickBooks.
  2. Go to Edit, then Preferences.
  3. Select Send Forms.
  4. Select My Preferences.

Note: If you can't see Microsoft Outlook, you may need to restart your computer and repair QuickBooks. You may also need to create a new Windows user profile.



Solution 5: Toggle mail settings

  1. Go to Control panel, then User Account.
  2. Select Mail, then Microsoft Outlook.
  3. Under Profile, select Show Profile.
  4. Select Outlook.
  5. If Always use this profile is already selected, select Prompt for a profile to be used, then Apply.
  6. Select Always use this profile.
  7. Select Apply, then OK.


Solution 6: Create a new Microsoft Outlook email profile

  1. Close Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Go to Control Panel, then User Account.
  3. Select Mail.
  4. In the Mail Setup window, select Show Profiles, then Add.
  5. In the Profile Name field, enter the name.
  6. Select OK.
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to add an email account.
  8. Select Apply, then OK.

Note: This doesn’t delete the existing Outlook Profile.



Solution 7: Run QuickBooks in compatibility mode

  1. Right-click QuickBooks on your desktop, select Properties.
  2. On the Compatibility tab, select Run this program in compatibility mode for.
  3. From the dropdown, select Windows 7.
  4. Select the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.
  5. Select Apply, then OK.


Solution 8: Add a Windows admin user

  1. Create Windows user with Administrator rights.
  2. Log on to Windows with the new user.
  3. Re-open QuickBooks.

Sign in now for personalized help

See articles customized for your product and join our large community of QuickBooks users.