Resolve errors when converting data or trying to open a company file

Find out how to resolve common errors you encounter when you’re upgrading your QuickBooks Point of Sale to a new version or simply opening a new company file.

You may receive any of the following:

• Error 181016 "Problem, could not open the QuickBooks Point of Sale data: [company name]"
• Error 181021 "QuickBooks POS Message: 181021"
• Problem, could not create company: [company name]
• Error: Could not connect to database
• Error: Could not load database

What causes these errors?

• The company name used on your network isn't unique.
• There is more than one version of QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale installed on your computer.
• You are not logged in Windows as an Admin.
• The QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale company data folder may be compromised.
• A firewall is blocking the ports that Quickbooks Desktop Point of Sale database manager is trying to access.
• TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) isn't installed, is disabled, or is not working.

Note: For each solution you try, attempt to open or convert your company file to check if the issue has been resolved.

Solution 1. Log in to Windows as an Admin

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key + R to open the Run window.
2. Enter "Control Panel" then select OK.
3. Select the View by drop-down menu, then select Small icons.
4. Select User Accounts.
5. Select Manage another account.
6. Make sure that the account type logged in is the Windows Administrator.

Solution 2. Verify there is only one company file that uses the name

1. Go to File, select Company Operations, then Open Existing Company.
2. If the same company name appears more than once on the Existing Company drop-down, rename the duplicate file.

To rename the file

1. Go to File then select Company Operations.
2. Select Rename company, then Next.
3. Enter a new company name.

Solution 3. Test for possible data problem

Create a test file

1. Go to File then select Company Operations.
2. Select Create new company, then Next.
3. Give the file a unique name. (Ex. ABC Test)
4. Select Create.
   Note: If the error doesn't appear in the test company file, restore the database file as a backup.

Restore the database file

1. Go to File, then select Company Operations.
2. Select Restore from backup, then Next.
3. Select Browse to alternate backup file, then Browse.
4. Go to C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks Point of Sale XX\Data\[your company name]
5. Select the qbpos.db file.
6. Select Open, then OK.
7. Enter a new and unique company file name.
8. Select OK.

Solution 4. Rename the company file

1. Browse to the location of your company file: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks POS XX\Data\[your company name].
2. Right-click your company name's folder, then select Rename.
3. Enter a new file name.
   Note: If you don't want to change your company name, you may just add a letter or a number. (Ex. Test New or Test 02)
4. Re-open your company file.

Solution 5. Use the QBPOS Troubleshoot Connection tool

Download and run the QBPOS Troubleshoot Connection tool.

• QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale 18.0
  Note: This tool is compatible with Windows 7 and higher.
• QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale 12.0

What does this tool do?

• It initializes the database manager properly.
• It installs QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale as Server.
• Makes sure that Firewalls aren't blocking database access.
• Enables TCP/IP protocol.