Deactivating Accounts Code 400 Error

We can perform some troubleshooting steps to resolve the error message you've encountered while deactivating accounts in QuickBooks, OfficeWASCD. Let’s collaborate to find a solution together.

The prompt will indicate if the accounts you're deactivating doesn't the meet the requirements. If there's a non-zero balance, it's not a default account in the Chart of Accounts, and it's not in an automated workflow, we can proceed with the following additional information:

• If products or services use the account, change the account they're linked to. Or you can make products and services that use the account inactive.
• If you want to delete an income account with pending charges, invoice your customers for the billable expenses, time, or charges. Then, you can make the account inactive.
• If you have recurring transactions linked to an account, you need to unlink them.
• You can't deactivate accounts with subaccounts until you move the subaccounts.

For more details, about deactivating accounts in QuickBooks, see this article: Make an account inactive on your chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online.

Also, the outdated stored cache can affect the program's performance. I suggest you log into your account using a private window. It will help us see if the problem is related to the browser cache.  

Here are the keyboard shortcuts:

• Safari: Command + Shift + N
• Google Chrome: CTRL + Shift + N
• Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge: CTRL + Shift + N

If you can deactivate the accounts, clear the browser's cache. Doing so deletes all the data from your browser and optimizes its performance. You may also use other supported browsers as an alternative.

However, if the issue persists, I'd recommend contacting our Customer Support team. They have tools that can look into this further and create an investigation ticket if necessary.

I'll be adding these articles that will guide you in customizing your reports to hide inactive accounts and finding transactions in your account registers so you can review or edit them:

• Customize reports in QuickBooks Online
• Find, review, and edit transactions in account registers in QuickBooks Online

If you have questions about deactivating accounts or encountering issues with your QuickBooks Online (QBO) account, I’m here to assist. Feel free to reach out for help. Take care!

I have tried all of your suggestions and still get the same error code.

Tried private browsing

Deleted products and services

Deleted recurring transactions

Tried deactivating sub-accounts first

Hello OfficeWASCD,

Thank you for following those steps! At this point, I think it is best that you connect with the Support Team as my colleague mentioned above. They can do a screen share to further investigation and possibly escalate this case. 

Let me know how the conversation goes! My team and I are here to help. Take care

This was probably the most unpleasant customer service experience I have ever had. QB cannot tell me how to get around this error message. BUT for a small fee of $500 their bookkeeper can deactivate my accounts. NO, the customer should be able to deactivate the accounts for their company for FREE. This is a QB problem. Not a me problem. I will just have a bazillion accounts that do nothing in my chart of accounts. The burden is less than a $500 fix that only THEY can do.

I had the same problem on a closed checking account and my problem was that I had 1 recurring transaction that was set to use that checking account.  It would have been a lot easier to find if they showed which account the transaction would be paid from but I could not find any way to show that.  I had to look at each recurring transaction.  

I had the same problem deactivating a closed checking account.  My problem was that I had 1 recurring transaction that was set to use that account.  I changed the bank on that recurring transaction and was able to deactivate the account.  Run a report on your reminder list and see if your recurring transactions are set to use any of those accounts.