Error Message: QuickBooks was unable to back up your company file. QuickBooks could not copy the company file.

Welcome to the Community space, @Webbersco.

Let’s resolve the error you have with QB for Mac. First, make sure that your QuickBooks for Mac 2019 is updated to its latest release. This is to make sure that you have the latest features and fixes. See this update QuickBooks for Mac to the latest release article for more information.

Then, run the Verify and Rebuild Utility tool can help you fix this. The Verify Data can initially identify any data issues within your company file. Then, the Rebuild tool will self-resolve it.

1. Go to the File menu.

2. Select Utilities and Verify Data.

3. Click OK if you see QuickBooks detected no problem with your data and continue using your file.

4. If Verify finds an issue with your data, you’ll be prompted to Rebuild Now or View Errors.

5. Hit Close.

Once done, run the Rebuild Data utility tool to make sure there is no problem with your file. To do that, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the File menu.

2. Select Utilities, then Rebuild Data.

3. Click OK on the QuickBooks Information window. 

4. Follow the prompt to save a backup.

5. Hit OK when you see Rebuild has completed.

For detailed steps, visit this article: Verify and rebuild data in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

However, if the issue persists I recommend reaching out to our Customer Support, as they have the tools to pull up your account in a secure environment and to determine what causes this error. 

Also, you can visit this user guide for additional reference while working on your QuickBooks Account: QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2020 User’s Guide. 

That should get you pointed in the right direction. Please touch base with me here if you need anything else, I’ll be more than happy to help you out. Thanks for dropping by, I’ll keep an eye out for your response.

I have the exact same problem, also just started a few days ago. I'm using the most updated version and have followed the rebuild instructions.  The issue still occurs. 

I have the exact same problem, and it also just started out of the blue a few days ago.  I have followed the rebuild and verify steps and the issue persists.  

Thanks for joining this thread and for following the recommended troubleshooting steps provided above, @mdg3.

Since the issue persists after using the verify and rebuild tool, I recommend contacting our Customer Support Team. Currently, there's a specific issue for macOS Big Sur. 

As far as I want to call you, the QuickBooks Community has limited tools. They can further investigate the root cause of your issue and provide a fix.

If you can't get into your product, simply click Contact Us to reach us. For more info, feel free to view this resource: Contact QuickBooks Desktop support.

I've also included this link to guide you on how to fix data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment below if you have other QuickBooks concerns. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Keep safe always.

I tried these steps and it did not work because to get started I have to begin by backing up the file and that is the exact step that cannot be performed. 

Clearly something has changed in the program somewhere since there are a slew of us who have suddenly all experienced this failure on the same timeframe - within the last few weeks.

How do we escalate this internally at QB?

-Scott

No luck. To perform the steps suggested I have to back up the file - and that step cannot be performed. I'll reach out to support since there are a few of experiencing the same issue in the same timeframe. Something has changed with QB.

-Scott

I talked to the support team. We downloaded the QB log and then downloaded the latest update for BigSur. After that I was able to back up and the bug seems solved. Thank you.

I Hope, You have fix error with above solutions. If you still facing error message unable to backup company file, so i highly recommended to you perform troubleshoot with guidance of an expert

I just recently began receiving the same error message reported at the beginning of this thread. QB does not backup my file although the file seems to be working properly.

Some information: QB V18.0.13 R14, macOS Big Sur 11.2.3, iMac 2020

I have tried many things:

One thing I have found is that when I locate the company file in the Finder and duplicate it, it works just fine in QB. So I can make a manual backup.

Another, I created a new simple company file with just a standard chart of accounts with no data and got the same backup error message when attempting to backup.

I have an older Powerbook running QB V18.0.9 R10, opening the same data file (stored in the cloud), and backup works as always.

I deleted and reinstalled QB on my iMac - same error message.

My conclusion is that the most recent update of QB is what is causing the problem. I'm certainly not going to upgrade my Powerbook until this issue is rectified. Can anyone else confirm my experience?

Thanks for becoming part of the Community, oldspiker. I appreciate you sharing what you've tried so far.
 

Since you're still receiving an error message when attempting to back up your company file, I'd recommend getting in touch with our Customer Care team. They'll be able to pull up the account in a secure environment, conduct further research, and create an investigation ticket if necessary.
 

They can be reached while you're using QuickBooks.
 

Here's how:

1. In your top menu bar, go to Help, then QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. Click Contact Us.
   
3. Enter a brief description of the issue in our Ask a question (or tell us what's wrong) field.
   
4. Hit Continue.
   
5. Select We’ll contact you for a callback or Message Us to start an instant messaging session.

Be sure to review their support hours so you'll know when agents are available.
 

Please feel welcome to send a reply if there's any additional questions. Have an awesome day!

Thanks for the response.

Yesterday I spent probably 45 minutes on the phone with a QB representative. I gave him access to my screen. He did all the things I’d already tried (verify data, compact data) and then concluded that the case needed to be escalated. He kept cautioning me that my data was corrupted. 

His solution was for me to pay $350 to have my data file fixed, I’d also get a 60 day warranty. 

From what I’ve done (see my original post), I’m pretty well convinced that my data file is not a problem, and that there is an incompatibility with my version of QB and my Mac operating system. I am hoping that someone can verify this conclusion. 

Thanks for joining this thread, oldspiker.

I recognize that time is essential when running a business. This allows you to perform other tasks including your accounting activities. I’m here to help and guide you on how to get past the error.

When using QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) for Mac, make sure it meets the system requirements. This way, it’s compatible with your setup and avoids any issues when using it. You can refer to this article for more details: System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and Enterprise Solutions 20.0

To get you back on track, download the maintenance release for your QuickBooks. Performing this process will help you get the latest features and fixes. Then run QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) for Mac as admin.

To update:

1. Open your company file and navigate to the top menu bar.
2. Click the QuickBooks drop-down to select Check for QuickBooks Updates.
3. If there’s a newer version available, choose Install Update.
4. Press the Install and Relaunch button when prompted.
5. Once completed, QuickBooks for Mac automatically opens.

About the fee, we offer Care plans to get unlimited access to support and other services. To get the complete details, check this article: Care Plans for QuickBooks Desktop.

I’m adding some links below for additional resources. These articles contain information on which QuickBooks for Mac works with macOS Big Sur. You’ll also learn about the changes, improvements, and fixes were made to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2020.

• Intuit’s support policy for QuickBooks for Mac running on macOS Big Sur
• Release notes for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2020

Reach out to me again if you have any questions about data issues and charges. I’m always ready to lend a helping hand. Have a good one.

@oldspiker 

Try opening the sample file. Are you able to create the backup file of it?

No, that was the important point I was trying to make; that even a clean, new file with no data would return the same error message as my business file.

If you look at my original post you will see that (1) I am using QB Desktop Mac 2019 (not 2020), and (2) that I reinstalled the application yesterday with a download from the QB download site. So I am using the most recent revision; which, by the way, I believe is the problem.

Hi Christopher8,

Thanks for joining in on the thread. I'll help you look into the cause and resolve the error you received when backing up your company file.

There are a few reasons why you received the aforementioned error when backing up your company file. It could be because the backup folder is inaccessible, there is damaged data on your file, your storage drive doesn't have enough space, or your firewall or antivirus program is blocking the process. We'll take some steps based on these factors to fix the issue.

Step 1: Make sure that the destination folder or location path is correct.

To do this, you can create a backup like you did one for the first time, where you select a destination folder. Some users forget that they selected an external drive for backups. As a result, they receive the same error when QuickBooks creates a backup when they close their file, assuming the drive is disconnected.

1. Go to the File menu and select Back Up.
2. Choose a folder to store your backup.
3. Select Start Backup.

Step 2: Fix the data issue by running the Verify and Rebuild data utilities.

You can skip these processes since you're done with them, but I'm just including them for the benefit of other uses in this thread. These built-in utilities will check for damage data, like broken transaction links, and fix them.

Step 3: Check the available space of your storage drive.

If you're using an external storage or a drive partition, make sure it still has at least 1 GB of available space or more, depending on the size of your company file.

Step 4: Disable your firewall or antivirus program for a moment.

You can skip step this since you were able to back up your other files. However, for other users, they can do this while their computers are disconnected or not accessing anything on the internet while their firewall or antivirus program is turned off temporarily. If the said security features or programs are the cause of the issue, they can change their settings to allow QuickBooks activities.

Feel free to comment below if you need help along the way. We're always available to continue assisting you here in the Community. Take good care always.

I am encountering a similar issue while using QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022 on a Windows 11 operating system. I am in urgent need of resolving the problem where QuickBooks fails to back up my company file, displaying an error message stating "QuickBooks was unable to back up your company file. QuickBooks could not copy the company file." I attempted to fix the issue by performing a complete rebuild and verify process, but regrettably, I am still unable to generate a backup file.

@EasyLeadz 

How big is your file size?

Try opening the sample file. Can you create the backup file?

I was having same issue. I made a portable file and save it in different drive. Then opened that portable file and made backup file. This problem was resolved for me