Users keep getting error messages about single user mode and QB keeps switching to single mode

Hey there, @juicejug. Thanks for reaching out to the Community.

The functionality to disable a user from creating backups has not been implemented at this time. I'll submit this idea to our Product Development team for possible implementation in future releases of QuickBooks Desktop.

In the meantime, I recommend keeping an eye on our release notes for QuickBooks Desktop 2020.

Please touch base with us here if there's anything else you need, I'm determined to ensure your success. Wishing you and your business continued success in all that you do.

I'm sorry, but this doesn't help at all.

How can we find out what's causing all these errors?

I'll help you from here, Juicejug.

I've read your original post and there's a setting that'll disable users to create a backup. You'll just have to edit the role list. Here's how:

1. Click Company.
2. Go to Users, then select Set Up Users and Roles.
3. Enter the admin password, then click OK.
4. Go to the Role List tab.
5. Select the user role, then click Edit.
6. Click File, then select Backup.
7. Under Activity Access Level, select None.
8. Click OK, then click Close.

I'll add a few screenshots to guide you.

Although, we're still unable to disable them so they can't switch to single user mode.

Regarding the errors, it means that something is blocking the multi-user connection to you server. We have a few steps that you can try to resolve it. I'll share to you the article about how to fix Error H202 and H505. 

I'll also share the article on how to fix -6000 errors. 

If you have additional questions, tag me and I'll reply to you as soon as I can. 

We already have a firm understanding of those links, yet they don't apply. The big issue is that somehow, somewhere, some user is switching the mode from multi to single. We need to be able to find out who is doing this and why they are doing this. NO user has come forward and said that they ran a backup or put it into single user mode, but obviously some way this keeps happening.

Isn't there somewhere that this would all be logged to?

We're glad to have you back, juicejug.

Tracking activities where we can see the information who's doing it is unavailable. This is a good suggestion that I can send to our software engineers. I'm  making sure to pass along the information you've shared here.

Our engineers will evaluate your idea. This way, adding this feature might be included in the next product updates.
 

We always value our customer's suggestions. Please post here again if you have other questions about QuickBooks. I hope you're well!

I'm sorry, but this answer isn't good enough. 

ALL of our users are claiming they never switch modes or do backups. However, there are clearly backups in the shared drive.

There has got to be some way or manner that backups or mode changes are logged at the very least.

I also would like to know how to disable single user mode from all users except the Admin. Many times employees open a file unknowingly in single user mode, then the employee leaves their workstation for the day with QB application still open. There is an tiny check box when opening a file from the server that says open in MU mode, if that is not checked QB launches to SU mode. It's extremely annoying as the only solution I have found is a forced reboot of the employees work station, which isn't possible when you're not physically at the office. Can we get a workaround or this feature added?

As an Admin, I too would love a way to disable the user from entering single user mode. Many times a user will open QB in SU mode, often times unknowingly as the "open file in multi user mode" box when opening the file isn't checked. It's very tiny and often overlooked. The only workaround I've found is figure out who is logged on and  reboot their computer. Unfortunately if you're remote in to QB and not physically at the location of the workstation, you're basically out of options until you make contact with the user. Can we please get a work around or solution? 

We run QB Desktop  Enterprise. 

Hi, meason.

As of this time, the workaround to restrict users from switching to single user mode isn't available. Rest assured, I'll take note of your thoughts and share it with our developers. Please know that the enhancement of our product comes from the ideas of our customers. That said, our developers will analyze this option and may be added as one of our new features.

You can also read through creating and managing roles in QuickBooks Desktop in customizing user's role.

Please let me now if you have additional ideas. I'll be sure to take note and add them on the details.

I have been fighting this for 4 years.  Bookkeeping uses a few different company files and the problem always begins on those machines.  Seems when there is more than one, this pops up.  After you relieve those machines (terminals) of the "hosting" package aka the DB Manager (there can be only one, the server!), you can do a simple little bait and switch of the desktop icon.

Here's what I did:

1) Create a copy of the %LOCALAPPDATA%\Intuit\{Quickbooks Version}\QBWUSER.INI file.  I just added ".bak" to it.  It's in the same folder.

2) Edit the Multiusermode line to reflect "MULTIUSERMODE=Y"

3) Make a CMD file somewhere that is not out in the users face.

4) In the CMD file, make a copy command that copies your modified ini file over the orignial, then opens Quickbooks.  Like this: (we use 2018 Premier... make corrections as needed)

copy "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Intuit\QuickBooks 2018\QBWUSER.INI.bak" "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Intuit\QuickBooks 2018\QBWUSER.INI"
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks 2018"
pause
start QBW32PremierWholesale.exe
exit

5) Save the CMD file and create a shortcut on the desktop.  Rename the shortcut so it reads legit, then change the icon... point it at the quickbooks program folder and click a quickbooks program file.

6) Hide the original QB shortcut in the same place you hide the CMD file.

7) Instruct the user to only use the desktop shortcut.

This will ensure that each time the click the QB icon, the software starts in multi-user mode.  You can't do much more than that.

This all sounds over the top.  Some may say it's too much.  I, however, feel chasing QB nearly everyday IS a complete waste of my time.  I just won't do it anymore.  If this script can fix it, let it.  Spicework user B-C made a comment related to the INI file which gave me this idea.. and it does the trick.

EDIT:  take out the 'pause' listing in the CMD file.  It was put in there for test purposes and is not desired.

Have your server admin review the share and security permissions on the file share where the QB data file is located. Then run the QB Database Server Manager, make sure the "Database Server is running".

There is an article out there that shows the necessary permissions on the share. 

QB opens in background but script error page pops up preventing me from accessing my company files. Can't even shut the program down. Error:  8070000b   Code: 0

Can you help with this problem ?

Thanx.

Bob Garrasi

P.S. I tried the QB Hub Utilities...still doesn't fix the problem

Hello there, @RG25802580.

I appreciate you for trying some troubleshooting steps to resolve the script error page that pops up in your company file. To fix the error you're getting, let's configure your firewall ports and set up an exception to your anti-virus software.

1. Open the Start menu on your Windows computer.
2. Enter "Windows Firewall" into the search and tick it.
3. Select Advanced Settings.
4. Right-click Inbound Rules (later on, you'll create Outbound Rules), then pick New Rule.
5. Choose Port and then hit Next.
6. Make sure TCP is selected.
7. In the Specific local ports field, enter the specific ports needed for your QuickBooks year version.
8. After that, select Next.
9. Hit Allow the Connection and Next again.
10. Ensure all profiles are marked, then Next.
11. Create a rule and enter a name (i.e QBPorts(year)).
12. Once done, click Finish.

For more information about configuring firewalls, check out this article: Set up firewall and security settings for QuickBooks Desktop.

Once done, let's run the repair tool to fix your Quickbooks Desktop. Before doing so, I'd suggest you back up your company file, then restart your computer to make sure there are no program affects the repair.  

Here's how:

1. Open the Windows Start menu, then select Control Panel.
2. Click Programs and Features, then Uninstall a Program. If you don't see this, select Programs instead, then choose Program and Features.
3. Click QuickBooks from the list of Programs, then Uninstall/Change.
4. Select Continue, or Next.
5. Click Repair, then Next.
6. Tap Finish.

I'd also recommend you restart your computer again to complete the repair. For your reference, check out this article: Repair your QuickBooks Desktop.

You can also reset update your QuickBooks to the latest release to make sure you have the most recent fixes and security updates.

Also, feel free to read the topics from our QBDT help articles in case you need additional guides while working with QuickBooks in the future.

I'll be around in the Community if there's anything else you need help with. Just leave me a reply below and I'll get back to you.

Hi @juicejug ,

Were you able to fix your problem?,

I have a simillar issue, but the weird part of my issue is that everyone is working fine and suddenly some user is not being able to login and the warning says that someone is in single user mode, but when I log into the server I can see several users connected to the same company file, meaning that is NOT in single user mode, the only way to fix it is clicking the "Start Scan" button in Quickbooks Database Server Manager, and then user can login again.

We ALSO have these same issues.  It just has never been improved for YEARS.

We just upgraded to QB 2021 Enterprise.

We too have multiple mornings when users are prevented from connecting beyond just Single User Mode.

We also have to run QB DM Manager Scan and we still for 6 years receive 'errors' after the Scan and the QB techs all say "that is okay, you can ignore that" and QuickBooks works fine in Multi-User mode ... and on and on and on it goes - it just keeps repeating.

My WISH ?  Is there a way that Scan process can be run as a scheduled task in Windows 10 every night at 5 AM to avoid this issue ? 

I appreciate your time raising your concern here in the Community, @qualitec2020.

I'd like to shed some light regarding the scan process of your files in QuickBooks Desktop.

The system only allows you to scan your data manually, while creating a backup can be done automatically.

Being able to schedule the scan procedure is a good option, and I know that this would be beneficial to your business. Know that our developers are always considering new features to be added to the system and cope with your needs.

I'd encourage you to visit our Firm of  the Future site to be updated with or latest news and product road-maps. 

On the other hand, to guide you in utilizing the Database Server Manager together with fixing its errors, you can always refer to this link: Learn how to host your company files over a network with Database Server Manager in QuickBooks Deskt...

If you have any questions about this info or anything else QuickBooks, feel free to reach out to me here in the Community. Keep safe!

Hi:

Let's take the case when the admin cannot logon to a Company File because another non-admin user has switched it to Single User mode.  How can the admin override that user to get into the Company File?  This question is referring to QB Desktop, not Online.

Thank you!

Bob

Joining the thread to answer your question about switching modes in QuickBooks Desktop, Bob.

The Admin will not be able to override if another user is still logged in. They need to manually exit out of the company file before switching to single-user mode. Here's an article about using multi-user for more details: Hosting Your Company Data in Multi-user Mode in QuickBooks Desktop.

Let me also share this article for additional guidance and reference: Features Available and Tasks You Can Perform in Single or Multi-user Mode.

As always, the Community is always here to help you again if you need anything else. Just reply below or post new questions and we'll be glad to answer them for you.

Hi @JenoP 

Are you sure about your answer?  I think QuickBooks must have a way for the QB Admin, or the IT Admins administering the QB Database Server, to release the file and allow the QB Admin to get back into the file.  If not, this defines a situation where:

Junior Acct. switches file from muti-user mode to single-user mode.

Junion Acct. quits, leaves the office, and is never heard from again.

QB Admin/Big Boss/Company Owner can never get into the file again and the company goes out of business.

I'm confident QB has some way for the QB Admin to get back in to the Company File should this happen.

Thank you,
Bob H.

@BobHe I think if you power off Junior Accountants computer and this will log them out of the file.