How can I change the time-out feature, from timing me out at 30 minutes? I'm an "admin".

Hi there, gailbest1930.

I'd like to help and share what I know about the log-out time feature.

QuickBooks has a timeout feature for additional security. This helps prevent any unauthorized access if you're away from your computer.

However, you can only change the default time-out duration from 1 hour to 3 hours. 

Here's how you can change it in QuickBooks Online:

1. Go to the Gear ⚙️ icon.
2. Select Account and Settings.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. On the Other preferences section, click on Edit ✎.
5. Choose 1, 2, or 3 hours from the Sign me out if inactive ▼ drop-down menu.
6. Select Save and click Done.

Here's a link in case you'll have issues signing in to your account: Get help if you can't sign in to your account

Let me know if you have further questions. I'll be in touch. Have a nice day!

Recently following an update, my QB Desktop version began timing out every 15mins.

How do I change my time out time for QuickBooks desk top version?   

I searched in preferences and cannot find any settings for this.

Thank you!

Hi there, earthdogmom.

Thank you for visiting the QuickBooks Community. I'm happy to provide you the detailed steps on how to set the timeout duration in QuickBooks Desktop so you'll remain logged in and avoid timing out every 15mins.

The login option is not on by default and needs to be set in your login settings or company preferences. Only the Company File's Administrator can enable the option and it applies to all users of the Company File. The Admin chooses how long users can remain logged in with a maximum of 90 days (default is 2 days). That said, I suggest going to the Company section to start changing your login settings.

Here's how: 

1. Go to the Company located at the top of the page. 
2. Select Users, then choose to Manage Login Settings. 
3. Hit the General tab on the left side. 
4. Under Manage Login Settings, pick the Keep user logged in for and specify the login period.  
5. Hit OK.

Once done, users will be automatically logged out of QuickBooks at the end of the login period you configured under this preference. For more information, check out this article: Stay logged in to QuickBooks company file (sign in without entering your password).

I've included an article that you might use in the future about how to reset your QuickBooks Admin password: Use the Automated Password Reset Tool for QuickBooks Desktop.

Please feel free to get me in the loop if you have any more questions about your QuickBooks account. It's my pleasure to help. Take care!

This is the absolute most ridiculous feature yet. All of our workers now have to sign in before they can clock in and out now. It's costing our company more because of how long it takes. There should be a way to disable this ridiculous feature.

If this issue doesn't get resolved soon we'll be swapping to another software all together.

I have that set for 3 hours and it logs me out BEFORE 3 hours has expired

Hello, jamesl007.

The most common reason this happened is sometimes caused by having too much cache in the browser. Let's do some troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. 

Let's start by clicking the Reload icon or hitting F5 on your keyboard to refresh your browser. If the problem persists, try logging in through an incognito window. Here are the shortcut keys:

• Google Chrome: press Ctrl + Shift + N 
• Mozilla Firefox: press Ctrl + Shift + P
• Safari: press Command + Shift + N

Return to your regular browser and clear the cache if it signs you out for 3 hours. It helps remove any browser-related issues and refreshes your browser's settings. Also, you can use other supported browsers.

In addition, you can check out this article in case you experience an issue when signing in to your account: Get help if you can't sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.

You can always post here if you have further questions about the time-off feature. We're all right here to help anytime.

We have quickbooks desktop enterprise with 5 users.  only one user is being timed out after 30 min of inactivity.  Any suggestions?

I'm here to help set the timeout duration in QuickBooks Desktop so one user will remain logged in and avoid timing out, @primeic.

To begin, let's set in your login settings or company preferences. Make sure you're the Company File's Administrator to enable the option. The Admin also decides how long users can remain logged in.

Here's how: 

1. Proceed to the Company located at the top of the page. 
2. Choose Users, then select Manage Login Settings. 
3. Click the General tab on the left side. 
4. Under Manage Login Settings, select the Keep user logged in for and specify the login period.  
5. Choose OK.

Then, users will be logged out of QuickBooks at the end of the login period you configured under this preference. For more insights, you can review this article: Stay logged in to the QuickBooks company file (sign in without entering your password).

If the issue persists, update your software to the latest release. This helps keep your software up-to-date so you always have the latest features and fixes. You can also use the verify and rebuild tool to self identifies and resolve data issues within a company file.

I've included an article that you might use in the future about how to create and manage users and roles: Create and manage users and roles in QuickBooks Desktop.

Fill me in if you have additional concern about managing your users in QuickBooks. I'll be happy to help you. Keep safe!

3 hours is not enough.  What happened to the 90 day option?