Multi User Mode keeps switching to SIngle User without us knowing

Thank you so much for the insanely quick response. I will be honest it’s not fixed although I am sure what you told me will work. I went to the IT Dept and now they are kicking around upgrading and the computer where QB is stored is our server so they did t want me messing with that. I must say that was a good move on their part.  Ha ha thank you so much. I think you gave me something even better and that’s finally updating our system. 

Hello!

I am having some trouble with the MUM and SUM. When I sign in QB automatically signs me in under Multi-User Mode. I think during set up I got to pick and I just chose that one, but now if I am in MUM I can't import time sheets, modify customer names, etc. So then I have to sign off and switch to SUM, but once I close QB and open it back up next time I'm back in MUM. Help Please!

Hello @Willis Sinclair,

Let's download and run the QuickBooks tool to fix the issues with accessing your company data.

1. Download the QuickBooks Tool hub.
2. Open and install the downloaded file.
3. On the QuickBooks Tool app, select Program Problems.
4. Click Quick Fix my Program.

But if you already perform these steps with the same results, you'll want to repair the QuickBooks itself.

1. Go to Start.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Under Program and Features, select Uninstall a Program.
4. From the list of applications, select QuickBooks.
5. Select Uninstall/Change.
6. Click Repair.

Here's an article you can read to learn more about how you can repair QuickBooks: Repair your QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.

I've got you this helpful article in case you need some ideas about how you can restore a copy of your company data: How do I?

Keep me posted in the comments if you need more help.

Having the same issue and we've tried everything that was suggested in this post. It's to the point where we now have to run a scan in the Database Manager every morning just to get QB out of Single User Mode.

Thanks for joining us here, @majorc3rd.

I'd appreciate performing the steps outlined by my colleague. Since the issue persists, I recommend running the repair tool for QuickBooks Desktop. This tool can help fix common errors that can affect the performance of the software.

Here's how:

1. Back up your company file.
2. Restart your computer. To ensure there are no programs that may affect the repair.
3. Open the Windows Start menu, then select Control Panel.

   Note: If you're using Windows 8 or 8.1, search "Control Panel" in the Windows Start menu.

4. Select Programs and Features then Uninstall a Program.

   Note: If you don't see Programs and Features, select Programs instead. Then select Program and Features.

5. Select QuickBooks from the list of Programs, then Uninstall/Change.
6. Select Continue, or Next.
7. Select Repair, then Next.

   Note: The repair should start right away, but it may take a while to finish. You can leave it running, and come back once it's done.

8. Once done, select Finish.

   Note: You may have to restart your computer to complete the repair.

9. Update your QuickBooks to the latest release. This makes sure you have the most recent fixes and security updates.

Also, if you encounter errors when switching to multi-user mode, check out this article to fix the issue: How to fix Error H202 and H505?.

I've also added an article that'll help you learn the task you can perform when switched to single or multi-user mode: Features available and tasks you can perform in single or multi-user mode.

Keep me posted on how it goes, @majorc3rd. I'll be around to help.

I have the same issue with 2 clients using MUM.  I have worked with support, tier 2 and still no resolution.  Both sites are failing to stay in MUM.  Is this a known issue that QB isn't reporting?

I am having the same issue. Even moved the server to a new VM host.  Is this a known issue? If so anyway to fix it?

We are having the same issue. We are running version 20 but the DB Engine Version is 17.0.4.2182. Is there a DB Engine Version higher?

Thanks for posting to the Community, @ruedingerj.

Currently, this the latest Database Engine Version, and we're looking forward to checking further updates.

Since you're having the same issues and applied the steps provided by my colleagues, I'd suggest reaching our Technical Support team for follow up, and if possible to resolve earlier.

Here's how:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Select Contact Us.
4. Enter your concern, then select Continue.
5. Choose to Get a callback or Start messaging.

Please know that our staffs are limited, and our support hours are available from Monday to Friday from 6 AM to 6 PM PT.
 

Feel free to place a comment here after contacting them if you need further assistance or share your experience. The Community is always here to help. Take care!

We have the same issue among other things...none of which the tool hub fixes.

We run QB Desktop 2018 contractor version. It's in a Windows 10 VM (Version 1909; build [removed])  on Unraid. 

#The system crashes occasionally normally when we are viewing an old receipt. Also once it crashes it comes back up as single user mode some times. It crashes at other times for inexplicable reasons. 

#upon migrating to the VM...we discovered that our Loan Manager had lost all information.

#I did discover that after I had initially setup the vm and stopped hosting on the prior computer somehow the old host computer reverted back to thinking it was the host machine which was causing network issues. I even went thru the trouble to completely uninstall it on the old host machine and reinstall choosing the correct settings and it still did it. 

#Using the database server manager in the VM...produces a Windows Firewall issue but does not suggest a fix and does not fix it. I've researched this and went thru a number of steps to make sure Windows firewall isn't causing the issue to no avail. 

#Also in the past we have had issues with email...the VM refuses to see Thunderbird after a number of attempts of reinstalling it and/or Quickbooks. The client computers when we sign in...Thunderbird is given as an option so it's working now. Just strange. 

I'm here to ensure everything is working, @jhunter844.

I appreciate all the troubleshooting steps you've taken to fix the issue. And I'd like to redirect you to the best support group available to get this resolved right away.

Since the troubleshooting steps shared by my colleagues above doesn't work, I highly recommend contacting our Phone Support Team. This way, they can further check on this matter and provide additional troubleshooting steps to get this fixed. They can also create an investigation ticket if other users experiencing the same.

To reach them, you can follow the detailed steps provided by my peer Jovychris_A above to talk or chat with one of our support agents.

As always, feel free to visit our QuickBooks Community help website if you need tips and related articles in the future.

Please know that you can always get back to this post if you have additional questions with QuickBooks. I'll be around to provide further assistance. Have a good one.

When you said you would redirect us to the best support group for this problem did you mean the helpline or did you forget to include it? I only ask because you said group so it sounded like it was more of a messenger board. Fully still having the problem E V E R Y D A Y !

Hi there, Mikethomp1281,

I can share what my colleague means about redirecting you to our support group. You can contact our QuickBooks Desktop Team via chat or callback.

They can isolate the issue since it keeps coming back after performing those troubleshooting steps provided in this thread. You can get in touch with them depending on your plan:

• Start a QuickBooks Pro/Premier chat
• Start a QuickBooks Enterprise chat
• Start a QuickBooks Desktop for Mac chat.

Let me know how the contact goes by leaving a comment below. I'm always right here to help fix the multi-user issues.

This worked for me:

Let me help you set your company file to open in Multi-user by default. 

1. Click the File menu.
2. Select Open or Restore Company.
3. Choose Open a company file, and then click Next. 
4. In the Open a Company window, check the Open file in multi-user mode box at the bottom. 

Each time you open the company file from the computer, the multiuser mode will be enabled. You can do this on every workstation. 

This worked for me for having the file open in multi user by default:

1. Click the File menu.
2. Select Open or Restore Company.
3. Choose Open a company file, and then click Next. 
4. In the Open a Company window, check the Open file in multi-user mode box at the bottom. 

Each time you open the company file from the computer, the multiuser mode will be enabled. You can do this on every workstation. 

I'm with you and it would be time-consuming to check every workstation to see if it's in single-user mode. Let me help you set your company file to open in Multi-user by default. 

There are two ways to open company files in Multiuser mode automatically. The first one is to check the Open file in multi-user mode option. Here's how: 

1. Click the File menu.
2. Select Open or Restore Company.
3. Choose Open a company file, and then click Next. 
4. In the Open a Company window, check the Open file in multi-user mode box at the bottom. 

Each time you open the company file from the computer, the multiuser mode will be enabled. You can do this on every workstation. 

The second one is to edit the QBWUSER.INI file and then change the MULTIUSERMODE value. Due to the technical nature of this method, you might want to reach out to a computer expert. 

Here's how: 

1. Navigate to the AppData folder. The default location is C:\Users\(username)\AppData\Local\Intuit\(Your QuickBooks Desktop version). 
2. Find QBWUSER.INI and then open it using Notepad. 
3. Press CTRL + F and then find MULTIUSERMODE.
4. Change the value to "Y" (MULTIUSERMODE=Y). 
5. Save the file. 

There are times when the system reverts the file to the original value. To prevent this: 

1. Right-click the QBWUSER.INI file. 
2. Select Properties. 
3. Go to the General tab.
4. Check the Read-only box.
5. Click Apply, and then click Save. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if there's anything else you need help with. 

How do I switch to multi user mode

Let me help you switch to Multi-user mode, becky3199. 

In the company file, click File on the top menu. Then, tap Switch to Multi-user Mode and click Yes to confirm. To learn more about multi-user mode, see the Features available and tasks you can perform in single or multi-user mode article. If you need to set your company file to open in Multi-user by default, just check the Open file in multi-user mode option. Let me show you how: 

1. Click the File menu.
2. Choose Open or Restore Company.
3. Select Open a company file, and then click Next. 
4. In the Open a Company window, tap the Open file in multi-user mode box at the bottom. 

The multiuser mode will be enabled each time you open the company file from the computer. You can do this on every workstation. Visit our Help Articles page for more insights about managing your business in your software.

Feel free to update us after performing the solutions, as I want to ensure this is resolved for you. Just reply to this post and I'll get back to you. You have a good one. 

Hi, I have experienced the same problem. But the "Error codes" is -6190,-816. Could you please help what does it mean?

Thank you,

LY

Hello, DDCC. 

Let me share troubleshooting steps to help you get rid of the error you've encountered. 

QuickBooks error -6190 -816 is defined as QuickBooks was unable to open the file on the host computer. That implies that the file is not accessible. Also, this error is a consequence of when more than one user tries to access the company file.  

Also, there are several reasons why QuickBooks error 6190,816 could occur. Few of them are: 

• The transaction log file does not match with the company file 
• Single User Mode 
• Data Corruption 

To fix the error. Try out the following methods to eliminate error -6190 ,816 from QuickBooks: 

1. Update QuickBooks, If you are facing the QuickBooks error 6190, make sure that the QuickBooks software is updated with the latest version.  

2. Rename the File 

Make sure that you are using the computer in which the company file was saved. Then, you have to rename the files. It won’t cause any data loss. You can rename the file through the following steps:

• Open the company folder
• The transaction log file and company file will have the same name but different extensions. For example, company file will be named as [company file name].qbw.nd and a transaction log file will be named as [company file name].qbw.tlg. You need to identify the company file out of those two. That is the only tricky part in renaming the file
• Once found, right-click the company file and select “Rename” option. Enter any new name or simply add “-OLD” at the end of the name
• Make sure that you don’t delete extension or “.qbw.nd” from the end
• Same way, rename the transaction log file without omitting the extension
• Exit the system now
• Open QuickBooks and try to login in the company file                                                                                                                                                                                                 

     3. Single Mode User Check 

As mentioned before, if any user is accessing the company file in single mode, you could receive Error -6190. To avoid that follow the listed steps:

Make sure all the users are logged out of the QuickBooks Data file.

• Then, restart the computers
• Now copy the data file to the desktop or another location apart from its source
• Again copy the data file back to its original location
• Sign in to QuickBooks 

    4. Update Windows

Updates prevent and often fix install errors and more. To update:

• Update the Window
• Restart your computer once the updates finish
• Install QuickBooks Desktop again 

You can also check out this article for more troubleshooting steps about the error -6190,816: Resolve Error -6190,816. 

I'd also suggest giving us a call so one of our Technical Support specialists can guide you through the process. Here's how to get in touch with our QuickBooks Desktop Customer Care: 

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to the Help menu, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Enter any keyword, then press Enter.
4. Click Contact Us at the bottom.
5. Enter "Error 6190,816" in the description box.
6. Select Let's talk or Continue, then choose Start a chat or Get a callback. 

Don't hesitate to visit us again here if you have any other concerns or follow-up questions. The Community always has your back.

What causes this error to happen?

I will be successfully running multi-user mode for a month or so and then all of a sudden I will get;

"Error codes: (-6190, -816)."

During this time, the other computer says that it is running in Multi-User Mode.

I then go to my server and run the Tool Hub and any other instructions I find with the community. I get it all reconfigured and running properly, and then sometime later it happens again...

Pretty frustrating when I should be more focused on my day to day operations

Hi there, @BryGuy1023.

I'm here to help you get past the error message you receive in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

Error codes -6190 and -816 occur when another user is logged in to the company file in single-user mode. And there are several solutions we can try to resolve this. 

To start, let's ensure that your QuickBooks Desktop release is up-to-date to fix common issues with your file. Then, disable multi-user access. 

Here's how:

1. Access your QuickBooks company file as the Admin.
2. Go to the File menu, then select Utilities.
3. If Stop Hosting Multi-User Access is listed, choose to Stop Hosting Multi-User Access.

Once done, create a backup copy of your company file. Then, download and install QuickBooks Tools Hub, then run the Quick Fix my Program. It's a built-in tool that automatically detects and fixes data damage issues within QuickBooks.

1. Download the most recent version (1.4.0.0) of the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. Locate the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
3. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
4. From the tool hub, click Company File Issues.
5. Choose Quick Fix my File.
6. Click OK when it completes and launch your QuickBooks.

For more troubleshooting steps, you can check out these links:

• How to fix Error 6000,-83
• Fix company file and network issues with QuickBooks File Doctor

As always, feel free to visit our QuickBooks Community help website if you need tips and related articles in the future.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment below if you have follow-up questions or concerns. I'm always here to help.

The QuickBooks Team members give the most useless information they tell us to click on a link for detailed information on what their fix tools do but they don't tell you anything they just tell you how to run the tool if I knew exactly what the tools do then I would be able to troubleshoot the root cause or at least be able to write a PS script that automates the solution for me without me having to click on or do anything.