QB Desktop on a network

Do you have a Wireless LAN environment? 

Hello, runmonkey.

I'd like to add a solution to help you fix the error.

If you haven't tried turning off the hosting on your workstations, let's do that to resolve the error. Before doing so, please update your QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. Then, follow the steps below to turn off the Host Multi-User Access option ion your workstations. These are computers connected to your network that don’t host your company files. Your server computer should be the only one hosting.

Here's how:

1. Open QuickBooks on one of your workstations.
2. Don't open your company file. Instead, go to File > Utilities. If you see the "Host Multi-User Access" option, don’t select it. Move on to the next workstation. This one isn’t causing the problem.
3. If Stop Hosting Multi-User Access is an option, select it.

Once done checking your two workstations, move on to your server computer and reset your hosting settings by following these steps:

1. Open QuickBooks on your server computer.
2. Go to File > Utilities.
3. If Host Multi-User Access is an option, select it. Repeat this process and select Stop Hosting Multi-User Access. This resets multi-user mode.
4. Repeat the process one more time and select Host Multi-User Access. If you still see an error, reach out to our support team so we can help fix your firewall.

For reference, you can check Step 6 in this article: How to fix "Error: Cannot communicate with the company file due to firewall".

I'm also including these links to learn more about the system requirements and see other solutions when you can't open the program:

• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2021
• What to do if you can't open your company file in QuickBooks Desktop

Please let us know how things go after trying out the steps above. We're here to help you out again. Take care and stay safe.​​​​

No. The three computers are wired to a gigabit switch. Thanks

I'll try this and let you know the result. Thank you

Hi RenjolynC, I performed the steps you offered, but unfortunately the problem continues. We're still having to run Scan Folders in the Database Server Manager, once or twice a day, to allow the workstations to open the company file on the server.

Appreciate the update, @runmonkey.

Since the issue persists even after following the suggestions above, I recommend contacting our Customer Care Support. You can work with one of our specialists in letting our engineering team investigate why such an error pops up.

1. Go to Help.
2. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Click Contact Us.
4. Enter a few words describing the results after following the suggestions above in the What can we help you with? field.
5. Select Continue.
6. Click Chat with us or Have us call you.

I want to include that reaching out to our Customer Care Support is best during business hours from 6 AM-6 PM PT Monday-Friday. Use this article to learn more: Contact QuickBooks Desktop Support.

You may also read this reference with the topics to use while working with your company data: How to Fix General Problems When Your Company File Won't Open?

I've got you covered if you have other questions about hosting your company. Let me know by leaving a comment using the Reply option below. Take care always!

@runmonkey 

Consider to install the trial version of a private cloud solution to isolate the issue. Your client computers will access QuickBooks file(s) over the internet, not thru the LAN network. If it works, the root cause is on your network. Otherwise, you will focus to troubleshoot your host machine, including change the host to another machine and compare the results.