Desktop login issues

Thank you for sharing your experience while hosting your company data in multi-user mode, @OXUSA.

Allow me to help you rectify your hosting setup in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT). I can see that your company is currently using the Peer to peer hosting. This setup requires the host computer to have the QBDT installed along with the company file in it. With this, workstations are set up to connect to the host computer. The problem with this type of hosting is the same as your situation. While the admin uses the hosted QBDT where the company file is saved, other workstations can't access it or vice versa.

In your case, I recommend resetting your hosting setup and utilize Dedicated hosting. By storing your company file on a server with QBDT or Database Manager installed, the system allows the four users to directly open the company file from the server when running QBDT. You'll have to connect the four Workstations directly to the server while each has QuickBooks installed and hosting is off. Feel free to check this article for the setup details: Install QuickBooks Desktop on a server.

In addition, make sure to set up folder permissions on your server computer to allow workstations to access the company file from the server.

You can reference this article for insights: Hosting your company data in multi-user mode in QuickBooks Desktop.

Furthermore, if you're having a trouble with QBDT trying to communicate with the server, refer to this resource: Fix errors when opening your company file.

Please let me know if you need other information about QuickBooks hosting environment. I'm always here to help. Stay safe and well.

 The system worked fine for many years, probably 8-9 years. Then one day it didn't maybe after an update, I don't really know exactly when. Rearranging and installing a complete server system doesn't seem like a reasonable option for a fix. There has to be a system setting somehow causing this whether its QB or Microsoft. 

It sounds like the person who logs into that particular workstation 'sets' it to single user mode. Check when logging in to quickbooks if the system is in single or multi user mode: File -> Switch to Multi User Mode (or Single User Mode). Many times the system 'remembers' the way you logged in last time.

I wish it were that simple. I've been using QuickBooks a long time and I'm a fairly advanced user by now. I've had some fairly high level techs from QuickBooks trying to help me out on this. I don't think this is going to be something simple. I actually believe it to be more a Microsoft network setting then a quick books issue, but I'm not sure. I've been through every single setting possible in all of the QuickBooks database manager and QuickBooks itself. I can't find anything that will fix it.

Hi, OXUSA! We hear your sentiments and understand how this problem affects your business operations within QuickBooks. Please know that experiencing difficulties isn't what we want you to encounter. 

We appreciate your efforts in rectifying your concern and seeking help from the high-level techs from QuickBooks. Considering this type of issue, it would be best to contact our Support Team again so they can investigate your account further and escalate this issue. You can also reach out to the Microsoft team or IT experts to determine if this is due to Microsoft-related concerns.

You'll want to manage your QuickBooks Desktop account. feel free to refer to the following articles:

• Reset your password for QuickBooks Desktop
• Welcome to Customer Account Management Portal
• Upgrade QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, or Enterprise

The Community forum is always available to provide you with information. Please drop by again if you have other QuickBooks-related matters. We're rooting for your successful and productive year. Keep safe, OXUSA!

did you ever get this fixed?  i have 6 users and two of the users can not be logged on first.  If so, then the others can't log in.  They have to close and wait for the the other users and then they log in.  This also started out of the blue.

Thank you for joining the thread, @lg180.

There are several reasons for QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) multi-user login issues that are worth checking. These include QBDT not being installed on the server, incorrect hosting settings, firewall or antivirus software blocking communication between user computers, the database server being unable to open the company file, or Windows file permissions not being set up correctly. To resolve QBDT multi-user login issues, here are the steps we can take: 

First, we'll have to ensure that the folder holding your company files has permission to access your network. Please see this article for a detailed guide: Set up a folder and Windows access permissions to share company files.

After this, we'll also have to ensure that your QuickBooks Database Server Manager is correctly set up since this allows your company files to be shared with other computers over your network. Check out this article for the detailed steps: Use QuickBooks Database Server Manager. 

Next, it's worth reviewing your Windows admin rights since when you use QuickBooks Desktop in a multi-user mode, you need to sign in to Windows as a user with admin rights. Then, you scan your folder using the Database Server Manager to access your file over the network. You can then turn on multi-user hosting again on your server computer. Here's how:

1. Go to the File menu and hover over Utilities.
2. Select Host Multi-User Access. Then click Yes to confirm.

When this is resolved, let me add this guide should you encounter data problems in QBDT: Repair your QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.

Let us know on the situation if the QBDT login issues persist on your end. We'll do our best to assist. Take care.