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Fix QBwin.log encryption errors
Learn how to fix the following errors in the QBWin.log after the Verify Data utility fails in QuickBooks Desktop.
LVL_SEVERE_ERROR--GetDecryptedCreditCardNumber Failed: The decryption has failed. CHECKPOINT: Failed to decrypt customer's credit card number. Customer ID: nnnn
LVL_ERROR--Unable to decrypt social security number/Social Security number
These errors come from damaged encryption of sensitive fields such as credit card, Social Security, and bank account numbers. Here’s how you can fix them.
Note: Before troubleshooting, update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest version and create a backup or a portable company file.
Check the QuickBooks admin user for damage
Sign in to your company file as an admin.
Change the admin password, and QuickBooks will re-encrypt your file.
Important: If QuickBooks crashes while encrypting, contact us. We may need to send your file to Data Services to remove sensitive information.Go to File, then select Close Company.
Close QuickBooks.
Open QuickBooks, then sign in as an admin.
Check if the re-encryption is successful
Run the Verify Data utility.
If you see these errors, contact us to fix your file.
LVL_SEVERE_ERROR--GetMasterKey Failed: The decryption has failed.
LVL_SEVERE_ERROR--GetDataAccessKey Failed: The decryption has failed.
Important: Send your file to Data Services only for admin master key errors. For non-admin errors, delete and recreate the users.
Repair damaged encrypted fields
Follow these steps to fix missing or damaged encrypted fields. These steps apply to credit card numbers, vendor tax IDs, and employee SSNs.
Run the Verify Data utility
Check for possible data damage using the Verify Data utility.
Look for the error message in QBWin.log
Locate the QBWin.log file and save it to your desktop or any easy-to-access location.
Right-click the QBWin.log file.
Select Open with, then select Notepad.
Note customer names and IDs in QBWin.log.
Edit the credit card number of the affected customer
Editing the credit card number fixes the damaged data. If many customers are affected, use advanced imports to override.
Go to the Customers tab, then select the Customer Center.
Select the Active Customer filter ▼ dropdown, then select All Customers.
Locate the names of the customers or jobs you noted. If not on the list:
Right-click on the IIF file.
Select Open With, then select Microsoft Excel.
Match the customer ID from the log note to the IDs in the REFNUM column.
Select the customer or job, then select the Edit
icon.Go to the Payment Settings tab.
Enter dummy credit card information, then select Ok.
Go back to the Payment Settings tab.
Enter the correct credit card information, then select Ok.
Note: Edit the credit card number for each affected customer or job in the QBWin log file.
Verify if the data has no more errors
Run Verify Data to check if the issue is fixed.
If no problem is found, the issue is fixed.
If verification fails, check QBwin.log for errors. If customers still appear, edit the affected customer's credit card number again.
Note: If you see "Verify Error: QuickBooks found a problem with the Acct #/Card #/Note field for other asset," check for a damaged admin user or edit the information manually.
Reenter encrypted data
When we fix your company file, some encrypted data might be removed. Don't worry, you can usually restore it from an older backup (.qbb or .qbw) and paste it into the fixed file.
Note: These steps won't recover employee bank accounts or routing numbers for accounts.
Recover employee SSNs and dates of birth
Go to the Reports tab.
Select List, then Employee Contact List.
Select Customize Report.
Select these columns on the Display tab:
Active Status
Employee
SS No.
Date of Birth
Note: Uncheck everything else.
Go to the Filters tab, then select Active Status, then set it to All.
Select OK, then select Refresh.
Select the Excel ▼ dropdown, then select Create New Worksheet.
Select Export, then select a location on your desktop, then select Save.
Copy the data to the fixed file
Open the Excel file you exported.
Copy the SSN and the date of birth for each employee.
Go to the Employees tab, then select the Employee Center.
Select the employee, then select the Edit
icon.Enter the correct SS No. and date of birth in the Personal tab.
Select OK to save, then set up the employees’ direct deposit.
If an employee uses direct deposit, turn off the direct deposit before you enter their SSN. Here’s how:
Go to the Employees tab, select the Employee Center.
Select the employee, then select the Edit
icon.Select the Payroll Info tab, then select Direct Deposit.
Uncheck the box for Use Direct Deposit, then select OK.
Note: Once done with entering the employee SSNs and dates of birth, you can set up the employees’ direct deposit again.
Recover vendor tax IDs
Select the Reports tab, then select List.
Select Vendor Contact List.
Select Customize Report.
Select these columns on the Display tab:
Active Status
Vendor
Tax ID
Note: Uncheck everything else.
Go to the Filters tab, then select Active Status, then set it to All.
Select OK, then select Refresh.
Select the Excel ▼ dropdown, then select Create New Worksheet.
Select Export, then select a location on your desktop, then select Save.
Copy the data to the fixed file
Open the Excel file you exported.
Copy the tax ID for each vendor.
Go to the Vendors tab, select Vendor Center.
Select the vendor, then select the Edit
icon.Select the Tax Settings tab.
Enter the tax ID in the Vendor tax ID field.
Select OK to save.
Recover account numbers
Select the Reports tab.
Select List, then Account Listing.
Select Customize Report.
Select these columns on the Display tab:
Active Status
Account
Bank No./Note
Note: Uncheck everything else
Go to the Filters tab, then select Active Status, then set it to All.
Select OK, then select Refresh.
Select the Excel ▼ dropdown, then select Create New Worksheet.
Select Export, then select a location on your desktop, then select Save.
Copy the data to the fixed file
Open the Excel file you exported.
Copy the account number.
Go to the Lists tab, then select Chart of Accounts.
Select the account, then select the Account ▼ dropdown.
Select Edit Account, then update the Bank Acct. No. field.
Select Save & Close.
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