You may encounter the QuickBooks error H202 when opening the company file in a multi-user environment. It is one of the H-series errors that usually appears when the QuickBooks application cannot establish a connection with the server. This might happen due to reasons, such as:
- Incorrect multi-user hosting settings
- Firewall is interfering with communication between the server and the system
- Corrupted QuickBooks Company file
- Disabled QuickBooks services, such as QBCFMonitorService or QuickBooksDBXX
- Outdated Database Server Manager
- Network or connectivity issues
Whatever be the reason, the error can prevent you from accessing the company file. In this article, we will discuss the troubleshooting methods to fix the H202 error in QuickBooks.
Methods to Resolve QuickBooks Error H202
The QuickBooks error H202 can occur if your system’s Firewall is blocking access to the QuickBooks files. You can check and reconfigure the Firewall settings to resolve the error. Sometimes, the error can occur if you don’t have permissions to share the company file. You can check the permissions on the company file folder. If these troubleshooting steps failed to resolve the error, then follow the methods mentioned below.
Method 1: Check and Enable the Hosting Settings
The QuickBooks error H202 can occur if the multi-user mode is enabled on any of the workstations and disabled on the server system. In a multi-user environment, the server system should host the company file and all the workstations should access it. To check and enable the settings on server system, follow these steps:
- On the server system, open your QuickBooks Desktop application.
- Navigate to the File tab and then click Utilities.
- Select the Host Multi-User Access option.
If the error persists, then check the host settings on workstations by following the below steps:
- On a workstation, navigate to the File without opening the company file and then click Utilities.
- If you see the Stop Hosting Multi-User Access option, then enable it.
Similarly, check and change the settings on all workstations.
Method 2: Check Network Connectivity
Network connectivity issues can block the communication between system and server, resulting in the error. You can check the network connection using the Ping command. But before this, check and enable Network Discovery on your server system by following these steps:
- Open your server system and go to the Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Change Advanced Sharing settings.
- Check if the Network Discovery option is enabled. If not, then enable it. To do this, go to Network Discovery, click File, and then click Turn on Network Discovery.
To use the Ping command, you should know the name of server. To find the server’s name, follow the steps given below:
- Open the Run window, type CMD, and press the Enter key.
- In the Command Prompt window, enter “ipconfig/all” and press Enter. It will display a list of network-related information.
- From that list, go to the Windows IP configuration section to get the host name and server name.
- Note down the server and host names.
Now, run the Ping command on the workstation using the server name. Here’s how to do so:
- On the workstation, press Windows + R to open the Run window.
- In the Run window, type CMD and then click OK.
- Next, type “ping your server name” and hit the Enter key.
Method 3: Restart QBCFMonitorService and QuickBooksDBXX
Sometimes, disabled QuickBooks-related services, like QBCFMonitorService and QuickBooksDBXX, on the server system can cause the QuickBooks error H202. To start these services, follow these steps:
- On the server system, press Windows + R to open the Run window.
- Type the command “services.msc” and click OK.
- In the Services window, find the QuickBooks services – QBCFMonitorService and QuickBooksDBXX.
- Double-click on the services one-by-one and start them by clicking on the Start option.
Method 4: Repair your Company File
The QuickBooks error H202 may occur if the QuickBooks company file you are trying to access is corrupted or damaged. In such a situation, you can restore your QuickBooks company file from the backup. If your backup file is unavailable, you can use the Verify and Rebuild tool to rebuild the company file data. It is an inbuilt tool in QuickBooks to help you repair QBW file with minor corruption issues. If it fails, then you can use the QuickBooks File Doctor tool by following these steps:
- First, download and install the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- In the QuickBooks Tool Hub, click Company File Issues.
- Select Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
- In the QuickBooks File Doctor wizard, choose the desired company file.
- The tool prompts you to enter the QuickBooks® Admin password. Enter the password and then select Next.
- It may take some time, depending on the QBW file size.
- After the process is complete, open your company file.
The QuickBooks File Doctor tool may fail to repair severely corrupted QBW files and also has file size restrictions. If it fails to repair the company file, you can download, install, and use a third-party QuickBooks repair tool, like Stellar Repair for QuickBooks. It helps you repair even large, severely corrupted QBW files with complete integrity. The tool can recover all the data from QBW file and then save the data in a new QBW file. The tool is compatible with all editions of QuickBooks, like Pro, Premier, and Enterprise.
Conclusion
If you’re encountering the QuickBooks error H202 while accessing or opening your company file, then follow the methods mentioned above to resolve the error. If the error has occurred due to corruption or inconsistencies in the QBW file, then you can use a professional QuickBooks repair tool, like Stellar Repair for QuickBooks. It can quickly repair QuickBooks company file of any size or in state with complete integrity. You can free download the tool to preview the recoverable objects in the company file.
Disclaimer: This article is only for helping users fix QuickBooks Error H202. We are not connected with or approved by Intuit or QuickBooks. All names and trademarks belong to their owners. Follow the steps at your own risk. Always back up your data before making any changes.
Dorothy I. Johnson is the heart and soul of Flash Flyer Blog’s writing team. Dorothy loves storytelling and finds the extraordinary in everyday life. She has a unique voice for sharing travel stories, tech trends, wellness tips, and food finds. Her relatable style makes complex ideas easy to grasp. She also turns simple moments into captivating stories. Dorothy’s background and curiosity inspire her to make content that connects with readers. They can find either practical tips or new viewpoints in her work. When she’s not writing, she likes to explore new places. She experiments in the kitchen or dives into a new personal growth book.
