Connection to QuickBooks company file is lost

Incorrect folder permissions, firewall configuration, or internet settings in Windows may give you the following errors when opening company files in Windows:

• -6000, -80
• -6000, -77
• -6176, 0
• Server Busy
• The file you specified cannot be opened make sure that it is not currently being used by another program or a read-only file. The Windows error was: The system cannot find the path specified

Intuit recommends more than one solution for this problem. The first solution may solve your problem, or you may need to try all of them to resolve the issue. For best results, perform the solutions in the order shown.

Solution 1: Open the file again

You may only see these errors the first time you attempt to open a company file and opening the file a second time results in success.

Solution 2: Update QuickBooks to the latest release

Make sure QuickBooks is updated to the latest release.

Solution 3: Run QuickBooks as Administrator

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Right-click the QuickBooks icon and choose Run As Administrator.
3. Try to open company file again.

Solution 4: Toggle the UAC setting

Windows 10

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. On your keyboard, press Windows logo and type User Account Control.
3. Go to Settings > Change User Account Control Settings.
4. Make note of the current level and then move the slider to the highest setting, Always notify.

Solution 5: Ensure that the file is not set as Read Only

1. Locate the file in Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click the company (.QBW) file.
3. On the General tab, ensure that Read Only is not checked. If it is checked, clear the checkbox and select OK.
4. Try opening the file again.

Solution 6: Ensure that your Internet Explorer settings are correct

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Select the gear icon located on the upper right corner.
3. Choose Internet Options.
4. Switch to the Advanced tab.
5. Scroll down to the Security section and make sure that the following options are checked:
   • Use SSL 2.0
   • Use SSL 3.0
   • Use TLS 1.0

Solution 7: Log in as Windows administrator

1. Select Start or Windows icon in the lower left corner.
2. Select Log off.
3. Choose the administrator account.
4. Enter the password (if there is one).
5. Try to open the company file.

Solution 8: Ensure Windows permissions are set correctly for QuickBooks to function

1. Ensure QuickBooks Desktop is closed.
2. Navigate to C:\Program Files\ through Windows Explorer.
   Note: If you see C:\Program Files (x86)\, go to that folder instead as that means you have a 64bit computer.
3. Right-click the Intuit folder.
4. Choose Properties.
5. Go to the Security tab then select the Advanced button.
6. In the Owner field up top, ensure the Users group is selected. If you see SYSTEM or something other than Users, you will need to take ownership of the Intuit folder.
   Take Ownership if you do not see USERS as the owner
   1. In the Advanced Security Settings for Intuit permissions window, select Change for the owner field.
   2. Type USERS and press Enter.
   3. Place a check mark in the Replace owner on sub-containers and objects box.
   4. Select Users (YOUR COMPUTER NAME\Users) Full Control and click Ok.
7. In the Intuit folder properties window, and on the security tab, now click the Edit button.
8. Select Users (YOUR COMPUTER NAME\Users) and make sure Full Control has a check mark in it. C
9. Select Ok to exit the Intuit folder properties window.
10. See if this resolves the issue you were experiencing. If not, you will need to repeat these steps above for these additional Intuit folder locations:
    • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit (Note: if you are on a 64bit computer, you will need to use C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Intuit)
    • C:\ProgramData\Intuit
    • C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Local\Intuit

Solution 9: Configure Firewall and Internet security settings for updates and network access

See Configure Firewall and Internet security settings for QuickBooks Desktop.