Ending balance in the check writing window doesn't match the check register or balance sheet

I hate to ask an obvious question, but the only explanation that comes to mind is that you have a different checking account selected on your Write Checks window. Do you have more than one checking account set up in QuickBooks?

If that's not the issue, I'm sure one of the QuickBooks staff will be along shortly to have you try to rebuild your company file.

Not an obvious question considering the clients I work with! Yes - there are multiple checking accounts, but I triple checked I had the right account and also shared my screen with a couple coworkers to make sure I'm not missing something else. Nobody could figure it out.

The Balance Sheet, check register, and writing check window should always have the same ending balance, Rachel. FishingForAnswers is correct. It could be that you accidentally select another checking account instead of choosing the appropriate one. 

I appreciate you for reviewing the name of your checking account and ensure you pick the right account on your Write Checks window. 

Since you're getting the same result, I recommend you manually update your QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. Then, run a rebuild data to fix this odd behavior and other issues in your company file.

1. Go to the File menu.
2. Select Utilities.
3. Click Verify Data then select OK to close all windows.
4. Then, go back to the File menu.
5. Select Rebuild Data under Utilities.
6. QuickBooks will ask to make a backup before rebuilding your company file, select OK.
7. Once the rebuild is done, click OK.
   

    

Here's an article for further guidance: Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop.

Let us know if you have more questions about viewing the correct balance and other data in QuickBooks Desktop. We're all right here to help in any way that we can. 

@RachelTSites How far off are the balances, anyway? Is the Write Checks window balance higher, or is the check register balance higher?

There are a few things that could be wrong, but I don't think any of them would actually resolve the problem, only satiate curiosity about what happened.

The first and easiest is to see if there is an item in the register for an amount equal to the difference between the two balances. If there is, than for some reason, QuickBooks isn't using that particular item in its calculations for the Write Checks balance.

The second doesn't have a way to verify; it could be that the Write Checks window has some errors in its internal math, since you already stated that the balance sheet had the correct balance.

The third is that it's just a visual bug, and I wouldn't know how to check that out at all; too far up the code monkey ladder for my understanding.

This is probably one of the few instances where rebuilding or otherwise repairing your QuickBooks file would actually help.

Thank you Sarah. I'll see if we can update and run the rebuild utility. Simple steps are sometimes difficult as we operate in a cloud environment. 

Thanks for your input! The balance is over $70k off. It actually reset to zero on a day we changed how our cloud hosted QuickBooks clients access their files. So I think you are correct where this is one of the few instances where rebuilding / repairing the file will be a necessity. 

You're welcome, @RachelTSites. We're glad to provide relevant information that help you fix your concern in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

Please know that, assisting and providing the right resolution for our valued customers is our top priority. If you have any questions about QuickBooks, you can always drop by and post your concerns. I’ll make sure to address that as soon as I can.
 

Also, I added this article to your reference when checking the latest updates about the product: The QuickBooks Blog.

I'm wishing you have a prosperous business! 

I'm experiencing a technical issue with QBO that you might be able to help with. When writing a check, the check-writing window shows a different balance in the checking account compared to the bank feed transactions tab in QBO. 

It's important to note that the balance in the bank feed transaction tab matches the balance in the external checking account.

Is there a way to resolve this? I am eager to align the check-writing window balance with what is available in the account, just as it does in the bank feed transaction tab.

We're glad to have you here in the Community space, @BTCPNC. I can explain why the QuickBooks balance doesn't match the bank balance.

Please note that the QuickBooks balance is impacted only by transactions in your Bank Register. The bank balance is based on your financial institution and includes transactions waiting to be reviewed in the Bank Transactions tab.

To identify this, consider categorizing and matching your downloaded transactions based on your bank statement. Then, compare it to the Bank Register. I also advise comparing your register from your Chart of Accounts to the transactions shown on your bank account to check what causes the discrepancy.

These are some reasons why QuickBooks balance is different from the bank balance:

• Duplicate or incorrectly entered transactions.
• The beginning balance in QuickBooks Online (QBO) is incorrect, or no opening balance has been created for the bank account.
• There are missing transactions that need to be recorded.
• Previously reconciled transactions were deleted or edited.

Moreover, this article can help you identify the problems for reconciled accounts: Fix issues for accounts you've reconciled in the past.

We're here to lend a hand if you require further help with QuickBooks or bank balances or any QuickBooks queries. Have a great day.