I had this problem and it was caused by a hidden "enter memorized transaction" popup window, which was completely hijacking navigation within QB after entering the password.  Here's what worked for me:

* Closed QB using Windows Task Manager.

* Restarted QB but rather than entering the password for the usual company file, I clicked cancel.

At that point I was able to maximize the QB main window and then open the company file the "old fashioned" way.

This is my exact problem.  However my programs are Win7Pro and QB 2016 desktop. I did do any changes to my computer.  It opened last night normally, however today I have the problem you listed. I will try relocating the company file to another directory, however I don't see how that will work. Please post an update on your problem

Thank you this worked for me tonight.

Hover arrow over quickbooks in taskbar until you see the quickbooks icon, which might be blank, then move arrow over icon and right click.  Click maximize.

I know this thread is older, but I just encountered this issue.  Thanks for providing a solution!!  In the past, I have had issues with QB and my searches have lead me to this forum.  The trend I see is the moderators/pros just respond with garbage responses and it becomes a banter of trying to explain the issue over and over.  Then a user provides the solution.  I feel there is some incentive for QB moderators to post something even if it's crap information.  And in this particular case, the original responder didn't even come back to follow up.  Please quit wasting our time, read and understand the question and post something that gets us results.  I'd rather see a post that states "I'm researching this and will follow up".

Hi - I too am now having the problem all of you have experienced.  I have QB Pro 2020 desktop and payroll subscription. Cant get anyone to help at QB - in meetings or closed. The software starts to launch and then fails and locks up after I out y password in.... When I go to Task Manager and expand the QB file to close it, bring it forward, etc.  I have found an odd subset under my company file named "SQL Anywhere Personal Server". I suspect this is the problem but cant get anywhere. It s like a cat chasing it's tail.  I need assistance as I pay for a payroll service with QB.  Please respond ASAP.

Hi there, mauiislandgirl.

Welcome to the QuickBooks Community. I appreciate you for sharing detailed information about your concern. I'll make sure to provide details about the SQL Anywhere Network Server message and ensure you'll get running your QuickBooks software well.

The SQL Anywhere Network Server error is associated with the QBDBMgr.exe. This is the main executable file for the QuickBooks Database Manager which you can configure for multi-user access. To resolve this, I suggest using the Condense Data utility. This helps streamline your company data file that fixes any performance issues and cleared whatever errors existed.

Here's how:

1. Go to the File menu and select Utilities.
2.  Choose Condense Data.
3. Select the first option as shown below. Note that the system will advise you of the approximate reduction in your file.
4. Choose Next and the notice Working on your file now will appear. When complete. Then, a window opens advising you of the total reduction in your file size as well as the location of the backup prior to the file optimization.

For additional information, you can refer to this article: Use the Condense Data utility.

If you have already done all the troubleshooting steps and still having the same issue, I recommend you get in touch with our QuickBooks Desktop Support​. They have the tools to properly investigate this issue so they can come up with a permanent fix. Please note that our Support team is available from Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PT. Then, if you're using Enterprise, you can reach us any time, any day. Please call our support from the time stated.

Please refer to this article to see additional recommendations to resolve performance issues in thE QBDT: Resolve QuickBooks Desktop performance issues: Manage your data file.

Please update me as to how things go. Rest assured, we're all here to make sure you can use QuickBooks again to its full potential.

I opened task manager (Ctrl, Shift, Esc), right clicked and selected expand.  Right clicked on the expanded QB, then was able to selct bring to front.  QB then opened for me.  

I'm not an IT expert so can you explain exactly how you changed the location of the Company File and renamed it? 

Thanks

Kris

Thanks for joining us here, Kris.

I'll you change the name of the file and change the location as well. Here's  how:

1. Go to the File menu.
2. Select Open or Restore Company,
3. Click Open a company file. Then, click Next.
4. Within this window, navigate to the new location of your copied company file.
5. Select the file to highlight it and click Open. Your company file should now appear on the login screen.

Following the steps listed above should allow you to change the location where your Quickbooks company file is saved.

Once done, you can follow the steps in this article on how to change the name of the file: Rename Your QuickBooks Desktop Company File.

Let me also a couple more articles to give you more guidance and reference:

• Create and Open Portable Company Files in QuickBooks Desktop
• Create New Company Files From Existing Ones in QuickBooks Desktop

Please know that you can always count on us if you need anything else while working in QuickBooks. We'll make sure everything is sorted out. 

OMG!!!!!  thank you!!!!! that worked !

This solution worked for me.  Thank you very much for the suggestion and for teaching me a new trick in general.

Hi there, @webworkzdigital.

I'm happy to know that the solutions shared above worked for you.

Know that you can always visit the Community if you have any concerns with QuickBooks. We'll make sure you're taken care of.

Have a nice day! 

Thanks, rfun. I have been unable to use QB for the same reason. Today I tried to reboot my PC

---

@rfun wrote:

I had this problem and it was caused by a hidden "enter memorized transaction" popup window, which was completely hijacking navigation within QB after entering the password.  Here's what worked for me:

 

* Closed QB using Windows Task Manager.

* Restarted QB but rather than entering the password for the usual company file, I clicked cancel.

 

At that point I was able to maximize the QB main window and then open the company file the "old fashioned" way.

---

and saw a message that a window something like "QB auto entry" was still open and preventing shutdown. So it seems the "Enter Automatic Transactions" window was probably hidden behind some other QB window. QB wouldn't respond to me until I clicked on that window. But I couldn't click on it since it was hidden. I let the reboot shut down that window, and when I restarted QB selected cancel as you say and then opened the Company File. QB still asked for a password of course, but after I entered the password, the "Enter Automatic Transactions" window appeared, not hidden this time.

This seems to be a bug in QB. Sometimes when QB opens it seems frozen, because it is waiting for the impossible: for me to click on the hidden "Enter Automatic Transactions" window. I can't consistently duplicate the problem because it seems random (but frequent). I am using QB Accountant Desktop 2020 Release R13P.

@radiodave18 

How big is your file size?

Hello there, @radiodave18. I want to help you access your company file without issues.

I appreciate you for providing further details of your concern. As Fiat Lux - ASIA's follow-up question, you can provide here the details of your file size. This also helps us to provide more resources about the issue.

For now, if you haven't tried performing the steps below, we can download and install the QuickBooks Tools Hub. This fixes issues when you can't open QuickBooks or experience issues when opening your company file. Here's how:

1. Close your QuickBooks.
2. Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub file.
3. Open the QuickBookstoolhub.exe file. It gets saved in the download folder.
4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions. Then, click Finish.
5. Double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.

Once done, let's run the Quick Fix my Program tool from the Tool Hub. Follow these steps:

1. In the QuickBooks Tool Hub, select Program Problems.
2. Select Quick Fix my Program.
3. Retry installing QuickBooks.

Also, you can follow the other solutions from this article: QuickBooks Desktop doesn't start or won't open. These are the options you can follow in case the QuickBooks Tools Hub won't work on your end.

If the same thing happens, you can contact our support team by utilizing the Help menu within your company file. They can check your account securely and figure out why it's still happening on your end.
 

You can go back here anytime to inform us how it goes. We'll be around if you need more assistance, radiodave18.

I had the same problem.  What happened is that the program was minimized.  You need to do is open up with another company file or start a new one.  Once you click OK, a small window opens up.  Click to maximize the window and you'll see the Quickbooks window.  Then you can open your company file.

For starters, I've noticed that this problem only happens to me when I log in remotely using Teamviewer and Quickbooks was already running on the computer prior to remotely logging in. It is obvious to me that Quickbooks is running, as I can see it in the taskbar, but I cannot access the window or maximize it. When I am sitting in front of the computer working directly on it, I have never experienced this issue.

Here is how I fixed it:

1) Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC which will bring up the Task Manager. You can also reach the Task Manager by pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE and then clicking on Task Manager.

2) Locate "Quickbooks (32 Bit)" on the list. Right click on it and select "End Task". This will close Quickbooks completely. (See picture below)

3) Leaving the Task Manager open, Re-open Quickbooks. You should see "Quickbooks (32 Bit)" reappear in the Task Manger. (See picture below)

4) Locate the little arrow to the left of "Quickbooks (32 Bit)" which will expand when single-clicking on it. (See picture above). Once expanded, you will see "Intuit Quickbooks (Your Version)". Right click on "Intuit Quickbooks (Your Version)" and select "Bring To Front". Then right click on "Intuit Quickbooks (Your Version)" again and select "Maximize". This will resolve the issue. Now you can close the Task Manager and work in Quickbooks.

Good luck!

.

Oh my goodness this actually worked! Of course, chat was unavailable as usual, but definitely a way to get to chat without desktop opening. I will say I signed up for Accountant's account and that's how i was able to access this online. So, if you're having problems with Desktop and can't get to chat online, start an Accountant's profile. It's free. Then do as this person said. Finally a real answer!!! Thank you!

EDIT: This was in regards to @ReyJohn_D post. I can't tell if my reply is tied to his response. 

I try to open my quick books, and request an update, then start update, after done, i am try to open, but is not open 

Let's get your QuickBooks company file open successfully, lucy53

I appreciate the effort you put forth to carry out some of the suggestions made above. I have more troubleshooting that you can attempt because you're still unable to open your QuickBooks account.

I advise trying to locate your firm file if you haven't already. By doing so, we can determine if the QuickBooks software is the root of the problem.

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Type “File Explorer” into the search and open File Explorer.
3. Search for and find the QuickBooks.exe file. It’s usually in your QuickBooks folder.
4. Hold down CTRL on your keyboard and double-click QuickBooks.exe. Don’t let go of CTRL until QuickBooks opens.

After QuickBooks opens, open your company file. If you can't, try a second test. Open QuickBooks but don't open your company file. Instead, select Open a sample file.

If QuickBooks or the sample file don't open, or you see an error, the program is causing the issue and not your company file. Here's how to fix QuickBooks if it doesn’t open.

For more troubleshooting options, check out this article and proceed to Step 4: What to do if you can't open your company file in QuickBooks Desktop.

If you encountered an error message when trying to open your company file, please let me know the exact message. This way, I can check if there is an ongoing investigation for it.

Keep me posted on how this goes. I'll be here until this gets resolved. Have a good one!

@lucy53 

Which QB Desktop year version and Windows OS do you run?

This happened to me 2 years after this post and it was a life saver today! Thank you for you help!