Export Quickbooks Mac 2019 to Quickbooks for Windows (for accountant) - Unrecoverable Error on Restore

Hello there, @RSConsulting.

Welcome and thank you for posting here in the Community. I'm here to help fix the uncoverable error you're getting while working with QuickBooks.

Unrecoverable errors in QuickBooks Desktop are usually caused by various reasons such as an incomplete installation of an update (QuickBooks and/or Windows), data damage, the program code that needs repairing, or system or computer issues. 

Since you're done updating QuickBooks to the latest release and verifying and rebuilding data, I recommend getting in touch with QuickBooks Desktop Support to check and investigate this further for you.

For the support's contact information:

1. Go to: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact.
2. Choose your QuickBooks Product.
3. Select your QuickBooks version.
4. On the Contact Us page, click a topic.
5. Click on the Get Phone Number button to see the support number.

For additional reference, you can also check these articles:

• Fix unrecoverable error in QuickBooks Desktop
• Unrecoverable Error: General Troubleshooting Steps

Let me know if you have any other QuickBooks concerns by adding a comment below, I'd be glad to help. Wishing you the best!

There is a bug in the QuickBooks Windows side after their first release of 2019. Make sure you check for all updates on the QuickBooks Window side (I'm not sure if the fix has shipped there yet or not).

I am having the same problem!!!  Did you find a solution?

Hi there, @Melissa02575.

Thank you for reaching out to us. Allow me to join this thread and share some insights about the unrecoverable error you're experiencing.

I've checked my tools, and there have been some reports from other customer getting the same error message. As a workaround, we advise restoring the backup file in an older version. It allows you to step upgrade the file into the version needed.

While we are unable to tell when this issue will be resolved, I suggest contacting our phone support. They'll add you to the list of affected users and send you email notifications. They can also help you further in trying the workaround.

1. Visit this link: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contactus.
2. Select QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
3. Select the issue/topic.
4. Click the Get Phone Number button to see the support number.

Keep me posted on what's the result, Melissa02575. I'm still here to help you if there's anything else you need. Have a good one.

Thanks for your response.

I have tried this in both 2019 & 2017 QB for Windows - same error.  Have also tried this with a MUCH SMALLER company file (2MB vs 36MB) - with the same results.

While many of us use Macs for our workflow - most accountants use windows, so it is VITAL this issue gets resolved.

After supposedly dropping the Mac version, most of us were very happy that Intuit decided to release the 2019 version for Mac.

For better or worse - even if I WANTED TO migrate my workflow over to Windows - now it would be IMPOSSIBLE to do so, because I cannot get my data over to windows.

As elaborated in my original post, my 11/20/18 export worked fine - my year end (and taxes) had to be done from a G/L & P&L Detail report.  Not fair to either my accountant or myself.

Since this is a critical feature in the software, it would BEHOOVE Inuit to resolve it, as I'm sure it is especially frustrating happening in the middle of tax season.

Regards,

Rick

Hello there, RSConsulting.

Thank you for proactively getting back to us here in the Community. I want to make sure you'll get the support you need with the company file from QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

I've checked here and haven't found any open investigation from other users concerning the import issue. I've also reviewed the thread and found out what troubleshooting steps you've done so far.

Since all fails and this is a public forum, I recommend reaching out to our Phone Support Specialists. I want your private information to be secured and not posting it in this public forum.

One of them will be able to check your company file further using the tools they have. You can reach them through these steps:

1. Log into QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Click the Help tab at the top menu.
3. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
4. Select the QuickBooks support hyperlink.
5. Choose a topic.
6. Scroll down and choose the way you want to connect.

Please be sure to let me know if you have additional questions or concerns regarding your company file, and I'll be sure to get back to you.

Again - there was a bug introduced in one of the slipstream releases of QuickBooks Windows.  The bug would also prevent the upgrade of an older QB Win file (like from 2006).  I know the QB Win team was working on it and expect it is either in the latest slipstream or will be released soon.  Make sure you have updated the Windows version as much as possible.

I've had this same problem and wanted to say my best luck was with QB 2015; I've also had limited success with 2018. 

The main problem I am having is that after conversion, the file produced is a QBB file and then once I'm out of the restored file the first time, it will not work for me or anyone else. Changing the file extension to QBW seemed to fix that problem, but it's been amazingly frustrating to get to that step. 

Hello there, @Karen_21.

I'd be glad to help share additional information about restoring QuickBooks Desktop for Windows compatible backup from QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

As of now, we have several reports received by other users experiencing the same performance issue. A ticket was already submitted about the issue and our engineers are currently working to get this resolved as quickly as possible. Until then, we will need to send your Mac company file to our Data Services department, so they can provide you a working QuickBooks Windows company file.

As a workaround, you can try restoring the QBB file in an older version like QB 2007 which will allow you to step upgrade the file into the version needed. 

To receive resolution updates and to be added to the list of affected users, I recommend getting in touch with our Support Team. For the support's contact information, you may check on the steps provided by my colleague AlcaeusF.

To learn more about converting Mac file to Windows, you can read this article: Convert a QuickBooks Mac file to QuickBooks Windows and back again.

Keep posted if you have any other QuickBooks questions. I'll be happy to help you!

Has there been any progress made on this issue? I'm dealing with it, yet again, trying to get a file to our accountant this tax season, and it's incredibly frustrating.

I'm here to help you get back to work, PNWMicealc.

I've thoroughly checked our records here and found that this issue has been resolved in all three (2017, 2018, and 2019) supported years of QuickBooks Desktop Windows. Our engineers had already performed system patches. They recommend updating your QuickBooks Desktop Windows to the latest release to eliminate this error:

You can follow the steps below in updating it:

1. Select Help from the top menu bar.
2. Choose Update QuickBooks.
3. Go to the Update Now tab.
4. Select Get Updates to start the download.
5. When the download finishes, restart QuickBooks.
6. When prompted, accept the option to install the new release.

For more information about this process, you can visit this link: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. It also contains information about how to manually update your Quickbooks and schedule future automatic updates.

You can refer to this article in converting Mac file to Windows: Convert a QuickBooks Mac file to QuickBooks Windows and back again.

Please let me know how it goes in the comment section, as I want to ensure that you can successfully convert your Mac file.

My export to my accountant back in October 2020 worked fine (going from Mac QB 2019 to windows QB 2017). I have the latest update on Mac and we have tried it 3 times. Now it's not working. 

Does anyone have a solution for a sudden issue with QB Mac 2019 going to Windows QB 2017? It worked fine back in October, but I went to send my accountant the file and it is now NOT working. We both have the latest updates on each version. I have tried rebuilding the file, even though the verify says the file is fine. HELP!

Hello, @emotpix.

Let me share some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the unexpected behavior you've receive.

When sending an accountant's copy from QuickBooks Mac 2019, you'd want to convert your file to QuickBooks Desktop for Windows. Also, you'd want to make sure that your accountant's QuickBooks software is updated to the latest version. Currently, QuickBooks Desktop 2017 is no longer a supported version.

On the other hand, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling your Desktop for Mac. This way, we can isolate the error you've received and fix any damaged functionalities on the program. Here's how:

1. Close the program.
2. On your computer, go to the Finder menu and select Go.
3. Choose Applications.
4. Click the QuickBooks icon and drag it to the Trash.

Once done, remove the QuickBooks PLIST files to revert all preferences back to its default settings. Let me show you how:

1. From the Finder menu, select Go.
2. Choose Library while holding down the Option key.
3. Look for PLIST files on the Preferences folder that contains com.intuit.QuickBooks20xx.
4. Drag it to the Trash and empty the bin.

Now, you can press the Cmd+1 to verify the update. For more information, check out this article: Reinstall QuickBooks for Mac using a clean install.

Lastly, I'm adding these articles as additional reference in maintaining the accountant's copy, updated notes for Mac, and other related topics:

• Use the Accountant's Copy
• Resolve errors when creating or working on an accountant's copy

Leave a comment if you have any other questions or concerns. I’m always here to help.