QuickBooks File Doctor – Fix Your Damaged Company File or Network (US, CA and UK)

If you run into an error message when opening your QuickBooks Desktop file or see corrupt or damaged list data while working in the program, stop, take a moment and a deep breath. Don’t worry -- we will get you up and running again in no time!

QuickBooks File Doctor is a tool we’ve developed to handle issues including:

• Trouble opening company files (as well as error 6150, error 6000 -82, error 6000 -305, error 6000 -301, error 6147 or error 6130)
  
  
• Missing or blank lists for your customers, vendors or employees
  
  
• Networking errors when opening QuickBooks over a network or multi-user set up (H101, H202, H303, or H505 error)
  
  

• Severely damaged company files that will not open, but you are able to open sample company files (or other files)
  
  

If you are experiencing any of these issues, follow the link to download the QuickBooks File Doctor to your computer. After a quick installation, the tool will automatically repair the damage. 

Key points to consider before you start

• If you already have an existing version of File Doctor on your system, uninstall the previous File Doctor and download the latest version to ensure you have the most up-to-date release.
  
  
• Newer versions of QuickBooks Desktop, from the 2015 release onward, have an internal QuickBooks File Doctor built into the program. If you are prompted to run this tool, cancel out of the workflow.
  
  We recommend using the external QuickBooks File Doctor (what we’re referencing in this article) and not the internal tool since the prior is always the most up-to-date version.
  
  
• The Internal QuickBooks File Doctor works well for resolving -6000 errors and damage that is preventing you from opening your company file. The use-case for the internal tool is more specific. If the external File Doctor tool doesn’t repair the damage, we recommend reading the full article on when to use the Internal File Doctor and to understand compatibility and system requirements, limitations and how to use the built-in tool.
  
  
• If you use Windows 10 and have trouble installing File Doctor, follow these instructions to enable Microsoft .Net 3.5.
  
  
• QuickBooks File Doctor only works in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows. It is not compatible with QuickBooks for Mac.
  
  

Using the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

1. Once the program downloads, open the “qbfd.exe” file (most likely on your desktop or “Downloads” folder) and follow the on-screen instructions to install File Doctor.

2. Once the installation is complete, QuickBooks File Doctor will automatically open. You can also open the program from Start or clicking the icon.

3. Use the drop-down list to find your company file, or click browse to manually locate it on your hard drive. 

4. As a first pass, select “Check file damage only” and click “Diagnose file” to apply the basic fix.

• If you suspect your company file is damaged or you see a 6xxx error (such as -6150, -6000 -82, -6000 -305, -6000 -301, -6147, or -6130), select check your file and network
  
  
• If you’re using QuickBooks in a multi-user setup and get an H202, H303 or H505 error (network errors) in Multi-User mode, select check your network
  
  
  

5. When prompted, enter the Admin password for your company file to continue. At the next step, if you're using an older version of QuickBooks (2011 and before), you will be given the option to upgrade your file to the newest version.

Upgrading your company file is optional. You can click “Next” and proceed with the repair at this point. 

For your first attempt, we recommend not upgrading your version and attempting the fix with your existing file version. It’s wise to wait to update your files until after the repair is complete. Once you update your QuickBooks files to the latest version, you will be unable to open the file in older versions of QuickBooks.

6. Let the File Doctor work its magic! This might take a little while, so feel free to get up, stretch and then work on something else.

7.  If the repair is successful, you’ll be given the option to open your repaired file directly from the tool.  If you have more than one version of QuickBooks on your computer, File Doctor will ask you which version of the software you want to open.

8. Success!

Note - Even if the tool says the repair was unsuccessful after QuickBooks File Doctor completes its diagnosis, try opening your QuickBooks file to see if your issue is resolved.

My file is repaired! What’s next?

Take this opportunity to back up your files

Now that your file is repaired, we strongly recommend making a backup company file (you’ll find a step-by-step guide here) from the in-product workflow.

In addition, we highly recommend saving your company file and the generated backup file (.QBB*) to a removable hard drive. Since this is a manual process, plan to do this backup periodically – I do backups at the end of every month, right before with my bank reconciliations, and I save each as a date-specific version (example – "QB Backup April 2018 Backup").

Update QuickBooks Desktop

We also encourage you to navigate to the Help drop-down menu and Updating QuickBooks Desktop at least once or twice a week. Doing this on a regular basis will help you get ahead of potential errors or compatibility issues.

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