How to fix QuickBooks won’t open issue, and solution?
QuickBooks users, while using the application time and again, have experienced that the QuickBooks won’t open , and it tends to shut down all of a sudden. This error is usually encountered when one tries to open the company file on QuickBooks. These errors can be attributed to a host of reasons which can range from technical faults to wrong installation issues. If you are encountering such issues, you must get professional help or assistance.

In this blog, we have assimilated reasons, symptoms, and solutions that can help resolve this QuickBooks won’t open issue.
a.) An outdated Operating System- An outdated or obsolete operating system is a breeding ground for threats and malware on your system. It damages or corrupts the installation files of QuickBooks and makes you face the “QuickBooks Won’t Open” issue.
b.) Wrong or Improper Company File Names- Your QuickBooks company file name should not exceed the prescribed limit for the name of the company file. If there is such a name, then it causes the “QuickBooks won’t open” error.
c.) Inconsistent QuickBooks Installation- Wrong and improper installation of QuickBooks files and components can trigger the “QuickBooks won’t open” issue.
d.) Corrupt Hard Disk- A corrupt or damaged hard disk can usually cause the system to get corrupted. In that case, also, you can encounter the “QuickBooks won’t open” issue.
e.) Corrupt “QBWUSER.INI” file- The QBWUSER.INI file is extremely crucial for successfully operating the QuickBooks application. A corrupt or damaged QBWUSER.INI file can lead to problems such as the “QuickBooks won’t open” issue.
Symptoms that indicate QuickBooks not opening issue
Before getting into the troubleshooting part, one must be assured that you indeed are experiencing the “QuickBooks won’t open” issue. The following symptoms can give you clear indications that it indeed is the “QuickBooks won’t open” issue:
a.) If QuickBooks, while running, shows a lag, it means that it is the same issue. It can, at times, also display an error code
b.) If the input devices such as the mouse and the keyboard do not detect any input
c.) If you are not being able to access the company file
d.) If the system displays the error code “QuickBooks won’t open”
Troubleshooting methods to fix QuickBooks won’t open issue
Solution 1: Turn off the QBW32.exe process
To refresh QuickBooks and to make it accessible, you need to turn the QBW32.exe process off. In order to stop the QBW32 procedure, you need to follow the below steps:
- Press Ctrl, Shift, and Esc together. Doing this will open up the Windows Task Manager
- Thereafter, access the Processes and locate the QBW32.exe file
- Subsequently, click on the “End Task” option. It will end the QBW32.exe
This would refresh the QuickBooks Desktop application, and now you will be able to open the QuickBooks without any problem.
Solution 2: Rename the QBWUSER.INI file
- In order to have access to hidden files and folders, Hold “Windows+E.”
- Now, go to the Organize option and then look for Folder and Search options
- Thereafter, Click on the View option
- Subsequently, from the advanced settings option, click on “Hidden Files and Folders.” Thereafter, click on OK
- Furthermore, launch the QuickBooks application.
- After that, right-click on the QBWUSER.INI file and then choose the Rename option. It will rename the QBWUSER.INI file.
Solution 3: Download & Install the QuickBooks Tools Hub & Run QuickFix My Program
Step 1: Download & Install the QuickBooks Tools Hub
Firstly, you need to close QuickBooks so that Tool Hub works properly. QuickBooks Tool Hub is a feature of QuickBooks that contains certain tools. These tools can help fix general issues very easily. For a spellbinding experience, we recommend that you use QuickBooks Tool Hub on the latest operating system. It works best on Windows 10 or 64-bit. The following steps need to be followed to help you successfully download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
1.) Firstly, you need to exit the QuickBooks application
2.) Secondly, you need to download the most recent version of QuickBooks Tool Hub. Thereafter, you need to save the downloaded file on the Windows Desktop. You can easily ascertain which version you own if QuickBooks has been installed before.
3.) Thirdly, open up the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file
4.) Furthermore, you need to follow the steps mentioned on the screen and install them after reading and accepting the terms and conditions mentioned in the license agreement.
5.) Consequently, after the installation, you will need to double-click the icon on your desktop
Step 2: Run Quick Fix My Program
QuickFix My Program is used to shut down the background processes that might be running. It is also beneficial to run a quick repair of my program.
1.) Firstly, from the QuickBooks Tool Hub window, you need to choose the Program problems
2.) Thereafter, select the Quick Fix My Program
3.) Finally, access the QuickBooks Desktop and open up the data file
Solution 4: Restart QuickBooks Processes
1.) Firstly, Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc together. This will open the Task Manager.
2.) Thereafter, go to Processes and look for QuickBooks processes
3.) Thirdly, Select these processes and click on the “End Process” option
4.) Lastly, you should re-launch the QuickBooks Desktop and check if the said issue has been resolved
Solution 5: Repairing QuickBooks Desktop
The installation files of the QuickBooks Desktop can be affected by malware or technical defects. These corrupt or damaged files can be repaired by resolving this particular error. The following steps can help repair QuickBooks Desktop:
1.) Firstly, access the “Control Panel” and then generate a backup of your company files.
2.) Thereafter, select the “Programs and Features” options and then click on Uninstall Program.
3.) Subsequently, pick QuickBooks and then choose Uninstall/Change option.
4.) Furthermore, Click on the Continue option and then access the Next option.
5.) Lastly, choose the Repair option and then move further according to the directions displayed on the screen.
Solution 6: Relocating Company File
1.) Firstly, you would need to access the Company File.
2.) Thereafter, right-click on the .qbw, which is a company file.
3.) Subsequently, Copy this File
4.) After that, you need to create a new folder in the C drive
5.) Next, you have to rename the file
6.) Lastly, paste this file to another location
After you have relocated the company file to the new folder, you need to relaunch it as an administrator. This would allow you to not face this particular issue any more.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Can you give the reasons of QuickBooks not opening?
Ans. There could be a number of reasons why QuickBooks may not be opening. The issue could be because of an outdated operating system, an improper company file name, an inconsistent installation of QuickBooks files, a corrupt or damaged hard disk or a damaged or corrupt “QBWUSER.INI” file.
Q2. Which signs or symptoms can indicate the QuickBooks not opening error?
Ans. These are the signs and symptoms that can indicate why the QuickBooks Desktop is not opening:
a.) When QuickBooks is run, there is a lag, and the system displays an error code.
b.) Keyboard and mouse, the input devices of the system are not detecting any input.
c.) You are not able to access the company file
d.) The system displays the error code “QuickBooks won’t open.”
Q3. Can running a QuickFix My Program resolve this QuickBooks not opening issue?
Ans. Yes, running a Quick Fix My Program from the QuickBooks Tool Hub is a troubleshooting method that can easily resolve this problem.
Q4. Is relocating the company file in any way going to solve the “QuickBooks not responding” issue?
Ans. Yes, when you create a new folder and relocate your company file to there, then you can very well resolve the “QuickBooks not responding” issue.