unable to open a QBW file . Error code -6123,0

Good evening, @gguessmd. 

Thanks for taking the time to reach out to the QuickBooks Community for support. 

I wanted to mention that we no longer support versions 2016 or 2008 of QuickBooks Desktop. 

To clarify, are you trying to open the same portable company file in both 2016 and 2008? If so, please know that you can not open an updated file (2016) in an older version of QuickBooks (2008). You would need to ensure the file is opening in the same version. 

I've covered some of our general troubleshooting steps to resolve errors -6,123, 0 below. 

1. Find your portable company file with a .qbm extension. It should look like this: [Your Company File].qbm.
2. Right-click the file and select Copy.
3. Go to your Windows desktop, right-click anywhere and click on Paste.
4. Open QuickBooks but don't open your company file.
5. Tap on Opening or restore an existing file. Then select the Restore a portable file option. Browse your computer and open the copied portable company file you pasted to your Windows desktop.

You're good to go if you can open the copied portable company file. Rename the original portable file and put "old" in the name, so you don't use it again.

If the portable copy still doesn't open, I recommend running your company file through the QuickBooks File Doctor. File Doctor automatically scans and fixes common QuickBooks Desktop data issues.

Here's how:

1. In the QuickBooks Tools Hub, select Company File Issues.
2. Click Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
3. When QuickBooks File Doctor opens, choose your company file from the drop-down. Select Browse to search your computer for the file if you don't see it. The file will look like this:  [your company name].qbw.
4. Tap on Check your file, then Continue.
5. Enter your QuickBooks admin password, then select Continue. The File Doctor will start repairing your file. This may take a while.
6. Select your company from the list when the repair is finished, then hit Open QuickBooks.

Please let me know how it goes. While I await your response, I've gone ahead and included some help articles that contain basic troubleshooting steps for this error message and when you have issues opening a portable company file below. 

• How to fix error -6123, 0
• What to do if you can't open your company file in QuickBooks Desktop
• Fix portable company file issues in QuickBooks Desktop

I'll be right here if you have any questions or concerns. Take care! 

@gguessmd 

You cannot restore portable files created in QBD 2016 on QBD 2008. Consider purchasing a new one time license of a newer version (e.g 2020 or 2021) to install on both machines.

Thanks for your reply. I did not try to restore a 2016 file with QB 2008; it is the other way around.  And, as I mentioned, I did fine restoring a 2008 Portable company file with QB 2016 on one computer - the new Windows 11 computer, but have run into problems doing same - this time even with a 2016 portable company file made with the new computer - when trying to make a QBM file on my older Windows 10 computer running the same recently installed QB 2016 program (QB 2008 has been uninstalled).  Seems a very puzzling problem.

I tried to access File Doctor, but ran into a message that File Doctor would not work with QB 2016.

I will try working with the QB Tools Hub, which I knew nothing ab out  - thanks for the suggestion, and see how it goes.

Appreciate your time and detailed reply.

Best, George G

Hi Everyone,

I followed all of the suggestions posted with no result.  Even had the same result when trying to open a sample company file. The program (QB 2016) updates the document; the proceeds as if it were going to open it, and 'opens' to a blank space to the right of the vertical blue menu on the left - no data.

Ran File Doctor, says there's no problem with the file, yet on this Windows 10 computer (Again all's well with the very same program on my new Windows 11 computer) that had the older QB 2008, before it was uninstalled when the 2016 version was installed - by the QB program, none of my or the sample files will open.

I have to think that something might remain somewhere in this computer that's corrupting the process.

(Possible clue: It the course of making these various attempts i've deleted some failed QBW documents. They eventually are removed, but always the first event to take place when I do so is a message that the recycle bin is corrupted. Ignoring the message ultimately results in the document being deleted, but it's strange. Such does not occur when I delete non-QB-related files.)

Does quickbooks offer live support? It'd have to be someone really computer literate, methinks.

Hope y'all have some well-honed wisdom to share.

Thanks

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@gguessmd wrote:

Does quickbooks offer live support?

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@gguessmd 

Your QBD version is outdated and they will not help solve your problem. Consider installing the trial version for QBD 2019 to isolate the issue. Contact us in private and we may share the trial code.

Hi, @gguessmd.

Thanks for getting back to us. Allow me to chime in and help make sure you can open your file in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

Since you already followed the steps shared by my colleague above and the issue persists, I highly suggest contacting our Support team. They have tools such as screen-sharing (remote access) that can pull up your account in a secure environment and check the cause of this issue. They can also perform other troubleshooting steps if necessary.

Here's how to reach them:

1. In QBDT, go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. Select Contact Us.
3. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Let's talk, and then choose a way to connect.

You can check our Support hours by clicking this article: Contact QuickBooks Desktop support.

I also recommend visiting our website for more tips and other resources you can use in the future: QBDT self-help articles.

 Please post again or leave a comment if you have additional questions about this or anything else. I'm always here to help. Take care.