Backup will not restore

Can you open the sample file?

Yes   And my other two accounts, just fine

I can help you with restoring your backup file, @MaryBinSD.

I recommend fixing your company file with QuickBooks File Doctor to resolve the issue you're seeing while attempting to restore a backup company file. All you have to do is download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub. Then, launch the Quick Fix my File and QuickBooks File Doctor applications.

Here's how:

1. Close your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).
2. Update or download the most recent version of the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
3. Open the file and follow the on-screen steps to install the tool hub.
4. Once done, click on Company File Issues.
5. Select Quick Fix my File and then click on OK. Once done, launch your QuickBooks.

If the error persists, run QuickBooks File Doctor. Follow the steps below:

1. From the tool hub, select Company File Issues.
2. Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor and choose your company file from the dropdown menu. If you don’t see your file, select Browse and search to find your file.
3. Select Check your file (middle option only) and then Continue.
4. Enter your QuickBooks admin password and then select Next.
5. Follow the onscreen steps to finish the process. 

I'm adding this article for more troubleshooting steps if the error persists after trying the resolution I provided above: Fix data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

After resolving the error, here's how to set up scheduled automatic backups: Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file. It'll also show you how to change your backup settings.

I'm always here if you need more help restoring your backup file. Let me know by leaving a reply below. Have a great rest of the day!

Same issue.  Cannot run file doctor as the file only appears as .qbb.  FD only sees .qba.

Let's convert the .qba to a regular company file so you can open and use the data, bgibso01.

The .qba file is Accountants Copy and only the QuickBooks Desktop Premier Accountant and Enterprise Accountant versions can convert it. I suggest consulting your accountant about the changes. If you don't have one, you can visit this link to find one: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/find-an-accountant/.

Once you have an accountant, here's how to change the accountant’s copy to a regular company file.

1. Open your accountant’s copy (QBX or .QBA), and create a backup.
2. Go to the File menu, choose Send Company File, select Accountant's Copy, then Convert Accountant’s Copy to Company File/QBW.
   
3. Browse the .qba file, then click Open.
4. Select OK to confirm you want to convert the file.
5. Open the folder you want to save the .QBW file in, and rename the file, click Save.
6. Once you’re done converting, hit OK.

After converting, you need to re-enter any changes made to the original company file after creating the accountant’s copy. And, you can no longer import an accountant’s changes (.QBY). Check out our accountant’s copy guide to know more about other workflows.

You can always visit this thread whenever you have additional questions about restoring a company file. I’ll be around to assist further. Have a good one.

Hi Mary,

Sorry, I got slap happy with the extensions.  There are no .qba files, only .qbb.  The strange thing is some companies restored fine from the Mac backup while others actually opened using the .qbb file.  But trying to restore them fails.  You can select them to restore, but screen just returns to open/restore screen with no activity.

I posted because my client is running into the same issue as the orig poster.  FD does not work on the .qbb extensions.

I'll share additional information to restore your backup file, bgibso01.

It will return to the open/restore screen when restoring backup fails. This happen if your backup file name has these special characters: ( / \ < > ! $ ). If you find one, follow the steps below to rename it.

1. Find the location of your company file.
2. Search for the files using Windows if you need additional help locating your file.
3. Right-click the file name and select Rename.
4. Create a file name that has no special character and Enter.

Your backup may have been damaged if the file name doesn't contain the following characters. I recommend contacting our QuickBooks Desktop Support to fix and repair your file.

For further guidance and resources in the future, you can visit our website: QBDT self-help articles.

You're welcome to post again if you need anything else. We're always available to help you.

bgidso1, did you find a fix for this issue? I am having the same one. After restoring from Mac to windows Desktop, QBDT opened my qbb files. I did a whole computer backup last week and now QBDT does not recognize the qbb files and when I try to restore it fails, and just takes me back the open restore window with no error message.

@Mack0524 

Which QB Desktop year version do you have?

QB Premier Plus 2023

Download/open the sample file, create the backup file and try to restore it. Did you encounter the same problem?

I have tried all the tools available for quickbooks. They all say nothing is wrong with the file(s). Restore starts the process but then kicks me out of quickbooks without any warning or anything. I have tried multiple times.

@psandhu 

Open the sample file, create the backup file and restore it. Did you encounter the same error?

We are happy to welcome you to our community forum and appreciate you for joining this thread, @psandhu. We want to ensure that we'll provide you with the necessary resources and guidance to help you achieve your goals.

Please know this is not the kind of service we want you to experience in QuickBooks. I recognize the urgency of resolving this issue, and we would like to assist you in directing your concern to the appropriate support team that is skilled in handling such matters.

Since you've completed all the suggested troubleshooting processes to restore a backup copy of your company file in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) and are still encountering the same issue, I recommend contacting our technical support team. They have the tools to investigate your account and delve deeper into this problem.

Here's how:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help/Contact Us.
3. Select Contact Us.
4. Give a brief description of your issue, then click Continue.
5. We'll email you a single-use code. Enter your code and select Continue.
6. Select to chat with us or Have us call you.

Please check out this article for QuickBooks support hours: Contact QuickBooks Desktop Support.

Once everything is good, you may want to learn how to keep your QuickBooks up-to-date to have the most recent features and product improvements. Please refer to this article: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.

Stay in touch if you have additional questions about restoring your company file. We're more than happy to answer them for you. Wishing your business continued success.

I have done all the above, including testing a sample file backup. That, too, does not restore and goes back to the open file screen.  

I have restored it many times,  and now this glitch.  

I am Using QuickBooks 2014 Pro and am trying to restore it on a virtual machine on my Mac. It has always worked perfectly.  

Hi there, Robert. Allow me to provide some information about using  QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) on a virtual machine.

I understand how crucial it is to restore your backup file and get back to business. However, QBDT products are made to run on a local native installation either Windows or macOS.

Since you've mentioned that it always worked perfectly, I'd recommend reaching out to an IT specialist to configure and set up your desktop.

You may refer to this article to check the lists of networks to help you decide which one to use: Recommended networks for QuickBooks.

Additionally, feel free to check out this article to learn how to fix data damage on your QBDT company file: Fix data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

If you run into any more issues or just need a bit more guidance, don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm here to support you and ensure everything runs smoothly.

@Robert Cameron-Ellis 

Which macOS do you run?