QuickBooks Desktop won't open

Learn how to fix issues when you can't open QuickBooks.

If QuickBooks won't respond or you get an error that says it stopped working, follow these steps.

In this article, you'll learn how to:

• Run Quick Fix my Program from the QuickBooks Tools Hub
• Check if the issue is with your file or the program
• Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool from the Tools Hub
• Repair your QuickBooks Desktop installation
• Check the date format on your Windows desktop
• Re-install QuickBooks Desktop

Tip: If you select your QuickBooks Desktop icon multiple times, sometimes, it won't open. Allow QuickBooks enough time to load before you continue.

Note: If you see the message, QuickBooks needs a subscription, you're either in an unsupported version of QuickBooks Desktop or your subscription has expired. You can download a supported version or check out your subscription status from your Customer Account Management Portal.

Solution 1: Run Quick Fix my Program from the QuickBooks Tools Hub

Step 1: Download and install the QuickBooks Tools Hub

The QuickBooks Tool Hub helps fix common errors. You'll need to close QuickBooks to use the tool hub. For the best experience, we recommend you use Tool Hub on Windows 10, 64-bit.

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Download the most recent version (1.6.0.3) of the QuickBooks Tool Hub. Save the file somewhere you can easily find it (like your Downloads folder or your Windows desktop). Note: If you've installed Tool Hub before, you can find out which version you have. Select the Home tab. The version will be on the bottom.
3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. When the install finishes, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.

Note: If you can't find the icon, do a search in Windows for QuickBooks Tool Hub and select the program.

Step 2: From the Tools Hub, run Quick Fix my Program

Quick Fix will close any open background processes QuickBooks uses. It'll run a quick repair on your program.

1. In the QuickBooks Tools Hub, select Program Problems.
2. Select Quick Fix my Program.
3. Start QuickBooks Desktop and open your data file.

If you still see the error, continue to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Check if the issue is with your file or the program

There might be damage to your company file. You'll want to figure out if the issue is with QuickBooks or your data file. QuickBooks might try to open your previous company.

Step 1: Open your file with all windows closed

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop
2. In No Company Open, select your company file.
3. Press and hold ALT on your keyboard then select Open. Don't let go of ALT until the file opens.
   If you're ask ed to sign in, release ALT, enter your password, then press and hold ALT and select OK.

If you still see the error continue to step 2.

Step 2: Suppress the QuickBooks application

1. Press and hold the Ctrl key, then double-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon.
   Important: Don't release the Ctrl key until you see the No Company Open window, QuickBooks freezes, or gives you an error.
2. Select a company file, then choose Open.

If you still see the error, continue to Solution 3.

Solution 3: Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool from the Tools Hub

1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. In the tools hub, select Installation Issues.
3. Select QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. Let the tool run. It can take up to 20 minutes.
4. When the tool finishes, restart your computer.
5. Start QuickBooks Desktop and open your data file.

If you still see the error, continue to Solution 4.

Solution 4: Repair your QuickBooks Desktop installation

1. Run a repair to replace all damaged installation files.
2. Start QuickBooks Desktop and open your data file.

If you still see the error, continue to Solution 5.

Solution 5: Check the date format on your Windows desktop

QuickBooks Desktop is known to work when the Short date format is set to MM/dd/yyyy. To set it from your Windows desktop:

1. Go to Control Panel and select Clock and Region.
2. Select Region.
3. Verify the Short date format and change it, if required.
4. Select Apply, then OK to close the window.

If you still see the error, continue to Solution 6.

Solution 6: Re-install QuickBooks Desktop

Re-install QuickBooks Desktop.