Reinstall QuickBooks for Mac using clean install

Learn how to clean install or clean uninstall QuickBooks for Mac.

If reinstalling your QuickBooks doesn't fix the issue, you can do a clean install. This removes QuickBooks with the installation files that were left behind to reinstall the program from a clean slate.

Step 1: Uninstall QuickBooks Mac Desktop

Before you uninstall QuickBooks Desktop, have your QuickBooks Desktop download file (or installation CD) and license numbers ready.

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Go to the Finder menu, then select Applications.
3. Drag the QuickBooks icon to the Trash.

Step 2: Remove QuickBooks PLIST files

*Preference files that store registration and any preferences set within QuickBooks, shows .plist as file extension.

User PLIST

1. Go to the Finder menu.
2. Hold down the Option key, then select Library.
3. Open the Preferences folder.
4. Find PLIST files that contains com.intuit.QuickBooks20XX, then move them to the Trash.

   Note: XX is the QuickBooks version you’re using.

5. Empty the trash.

System PLIST

1. From a new Finder window, open the Macintosh HD.
2. Go to Library, then Preferences folder.
3. Find PLIST files that contains com.intuit.QuickBooks20XX, then move them to the Trash.
   Note: XX is the QuickBooks version you’re using.
   Tip: If you don't see the Macintosh HD icon in Finder,
   1. Go to Finder, select Preferences then General Tab.
   2. Select Hard disks is checkmarked.
4. Empty the trash.

Step 3: Restart your device

Step 4: Reinstall QuickBooks

Install and set up QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.