Why does QuickBooks Database server manager not showing company files , How can I fix?
- clairesmith89704
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
when QuickBooks Database Server Manager (QBDSM) isn’t showing your company files. When things don’t work the way they should, it can really slow down your workflow and cause unnecessary stress. Don’t worry—I’ve got your back. Let’s go step by step to figure out what’s going wrong and how to fix it.
Why Is QuickBooks Database Server Manager Not Showing Company Files?
QuickBooks Database Server Manager is responsible for managing multi-user access to your QuickBooks company files. When it doesn’t show your files, there could be a few possible reasons:
Incorrect Folder Permissions – QBDSM might not have permission to access the folder where your company files are stored.
Files Are Not in the Scanned Folder – If the company files are in a location that hasn’t been scanned, they won’t appear.
Service Not Running Properly – The QuickBooksDBXX service (where XX represents the version, e.g., QuickBooksDB31 for QuickBooks 2021) might not be running.
Firewall or Security Software Blocking Access – Sometimes, security settings prevent QBDSM from accessing the necessary files.
Corrupted Installation – If QuickBooks Database Server Manager is damaged, it may not function correctly.
Network Issues – If you’re using QuickBooks in multi-user mode and the network isn’t configured properly, QBDSM might fail to detect files.
How to Fix QuickBooks Database Server Manager Not Showing Company Files
Let’s walk through a few possible solutions, starting from the simplest to the more complex fixes.
1. Restart QuickBooks Database Server Manager
Sometimes, a simple restart is all you need.
Open the Run command (Press Windows + R).
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Scroll down and find QuickBooksDBXX (the version number corresponds to your QuickBooks year).
Right-click it and select Restart.
Now, try scanning your files again and check if they show up.
2. Ensure Your Company Files Are in the Correct Folder
Make sure your QuickBooks company file (.qbw) is stored in the correct folder. The default location is:
C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files
If your files are in a different location, you may need to move them or manually add the folder to QBDSM.
3. Rescan the Folders in QuickBooks Database Server Manager
Open QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
Click Scan Folders.
If no folders are listed, click Browse and navigate to the folder where your company files are stored.
Click OK and then Start Scan.
Once the scan completes, restart QuickBooks and check if your files now appear.
4. Check Folder Permissions
If QuickBooks Database Server Manager doesn’t have the correct permissions, it won’t be able to access your files.
Go to the folder where your QuickBooks files are stored.
Right-click the folder and select Properties.
Click the Security tab.
Ensure that the QuickBooks Data Service User has Full Control.
If not, click Edit, select the user, and check Full Control.
Click Apply and OK.
5. Check If QuickBooks Database Server Service Is Running
Open the Run command (Windows + R).
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Look for QuickBooksDBXX (XX represents your QuickBooks version).
Ensure the Status is Running and Startup Type is set to Automatic.
If it’s not running, right-click and select Start.
6. Add QuickBooks to Windows Firewall Exceptions
A firewall might be blocking QuickBooks Database Server Manager from accessing your files.
Open Control Panel.
Click Windows Defender Firewall.
Select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
Click Change Settings and then Allow Another App.
Browse to the QuickBooks installation folder and select QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
Click Add, then OK.
7. Repair QuickBooks Database Server Manager
If none of the above steps work, QBDSM might be corrupted. Try repairing it:
Open Control Panel and go to Programs and Features.
Find QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
Click Uninstall/Change and then Repair.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer and check if your files show up.
8. Ensure Multi-User Mode Is Set Up Correctly
Open QuickBooks on the server computer (where your company files are stored).
Go to File > Utilities.
Ensure Host Multi-User Access is enabled.
If it says Stop Hosting Multi-User Access, leave it as is (this means it’s already enabled).
Now, try accessing your company files from a different computer to see if the issue persists.
9. Use QuickBooks File Doctor
QuickBooks File Doctor is a handy tool that can detect and fix issues with your company file and Database Server Manager.
Download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub (if you haven’t already).
Open QuickBooks Tool Hub and select Company File Issues.
Click Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
Choose your company file and let the tool diagnose the problem.
10. Reinstall QuickBooks Database Server Manager
If nothing else works, a clean reinstall might be your best option.
Uninstall QuickBooks Database Server Manager from Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Restart your server.
Download the latest version of QuickBooks Database Server Manager from Intuit’s official website.
Install it and set it up again.
Final Thoughts
I know dealing with these technical issues can be incredibly frustrating, but I hope this guide helps you get QuickBooks Database Server Manager up and running again. Try each of these steps one by one, and hopefully, your files will show up as they should.
If you’re still stuck after trying these fixes, let me know where you’re getting stuck, and I’ll be happy to troubleshoot further!
Good luck, and I hope you get everything working smoothly soon!
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