"Register" icon not working

Let's get this thing working, @foxyrph.

To isolate this issue, let's open a sample company files then check if the same thing happens. Open QuickBooks, click Open a sample file, then choose a file.

If there are no issues in the sample file, this unexpected behavior is due to data or file corruption. To fix this, we will run the verify/rebuild utility. Here's how:

1. Go to the File at the top.
2. Select Utilities from the list.
3. Pick the Verify Data tool and wait until the diagnosis is done.
4. If there are issues, proceed to rebuild the company file.
5. Tap the File menu then hover over Utilities.
6. Choose Rebuild Data, then click OK.
7. Follow the onscreen steps to save a backup.

However, if the problem persists on the sample company file, use the Repair Tool. It fixes most issues with the software. You can visit the Repair your QuickBooks Desktop for Windows article to learn more about repairing QuickBooks and its complete steps.

Please let me know if you have other concerns. I'm just around to help. Take care always.

Not sure if other messages I sent went through or not.  I used one of the sample company files and the "Register" button/icon did not work.  I brought up "Control Panel" brought up "Programs and Features" selected "Quickbooks Pro 2016".  I clicked on "Uninstall/Change".  The program ran for a little under an hour.  At the end of that time I brought up Quickbooks.  I opened the sample company file.  The "Register" button/icon still will not bring up a register of a selected account.  Am I stuck?  Or, is there another way to get that register button/icon to work again?  Thank you for your time and patience.

Thanks for trying the troubleshooting steps shared by my peer, @foxyrph. Since the issue persists, I'd recommend contacting our Customer Care team at this point. 

They can conduct a screen sharing session to identify the issue in your company file and help you fix it. They can also submit your case for an investigation whenever necessary. 

For future reference, visit out QuickBooks Desktop Articles hub in case you'll need related topics about managing customers and payments in QBDT. 

Let me know if you have more questions. We're always here to help in any way we can. 

@foxyrph 

Have you try to reinstall QB? If you are running it on Win 8.1/10, try reinstall and run it on compatibility mode Win 7.

I'm a bit leery of doing that.  Quickbooks periodically updates the software.  When you open a company file that file is updated as well and will not open in earlier versions of the software.  If I go back to the original version of OB Pro 2016 I don't think I will be able to open my current company files.  Correct me if I'm wrong about this.  Thanks for your interest and help.

Hello there, @foxyrph.

Currently, we're unable to downgrade a company file once it's updated. This means we won't be able to open your updated company file in the old version of QuickBooks.

However, if you have a backup copy of your company file before it was updated, we can restore it. Here's how to do so:

1. Go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
2. Choose Restore a backup copy and then click Next.
3. Select the Local Backup radio button, and then click Next.
4. From the Look In drop-down arrow, choose the backup file location.
5. Locate the backup file from the folder. The file name should appear as [Company Name].qbb.
6. Select Open and then click Next.
7. From the Save in drop-down arrow, choose the location to save the restored file.
8. Type a new file name in the File name field then click Save.

I'd also recommend getting in touch with our Customer Support Team for in-depth troubleshooting. They have tools to help trace what's causing the registers not to open and apply a real-time solution. I'll guide you how:

1. Go to the Help menu and select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. In the Have a Question window, scroll down to choose the Contact us link.
3. This will display the Contact Us screen.
4. Go to the Tell us more about your question section to enter the issue or topic in the field box.
5. Click the Search button to display the Get Phone Number or Start a Message.

For future reference, here’s a link that covers the troubleshooting steps when the desktop program is not working or frozen: Solutions for when QuickBooks has stopped working.

Also, you can always visit our QuickBooks Community help website in case you need tips and related articles in the future: QBDT Self-help.

Please know that I'm always available to help if there's anything else you need. Take care always!

@foxyrph 

QBD 2016 is an outdated version. You may reinstalling it by using the latest installer file available on the website. Company won't release any update. But you may find another problem when running an outdated QBD version on a supporting Windows OS (i.e W8.1/W10).