QuickBooks allows sharing of company files between multiple users to increase the efficiency of a business. The server computer hosts the company file in multi-user mode, and all the other workstations use the file in single-user mode. Users sometimes encounter hosting mode is off QuickBooks error message while sharing the company file. If your QuickBooks also fails to establish a multi-user network due to this issue, keep reading further to acknowledge the conditions that give rise to this issue and the methods to remove it from your QuickBooks.
Contact a QB support team at 1.855.738.2784 if you want this error resolved quickly on your PC.
Reasons
This error message comes up on the screen while accessing a company file due to the following reasons-
- ND file is damaged in your QuickBooks folder leading to malfunction in the Database Server Manager.
- QuickBooks hosting settings are incorrectly set.
- Windows Firewall stops QuickBooks from connecting to other systems, or some Windows settings are misconfigured
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Solutions
Apply these techniques to fix issues with your QuickBooks multi-user network-
Solution 1- Repair the damaged .nd file and fix the hosting settings of QuickBooks
QuickBooks uses the .nd file to set up a multi-user network. This file contains information about the systems that are to be connected to the network and the data that needs to be shared. QuickBooks won’t be able to establish the network if the .nd file fails to run. You’ll have to fix the .nd file using the steps mentioned underneath-
- Open your QuickBooks folder using the file explorer and search for the network descriptor (.nd) file inside it.
- Right-click on the .nd file and select Rename.
- Add ‘.old’ as an extension to the file name and save it.
- Open QuickBooks Database Server Manager and select your QuickBooks folder using the Browse option under the Scan folders tab.
- Click Start Scan and wait until DBSM stops running.
Incorrect hosting settings in QuickBooks is also a primary reason for the development of this. Ensure only the server computer runs in multi-user mode using the steps given below-
- Go to the QuickBooks File menu on your server computer and tap Utilities.
- Click Host multi-user access.
- Open QuickBooks on all the workstations individually and go to the Utilities option.
- Select the Stop Hosting multi-user access option.
- Reopen QuickBooks and perform the task that earlier caused this error.
If the software displays the error code again, try the next solution.
Read Also: QuickBooks error 1603
Solution 2- Configure the Network discovery settings in QuickBooks
QuickBooks can also face trouble setting up a network if the Network sharing settings in your Windows are incorrectly set. Use the following steps to configure the Windows settings-
- Open the Control panel tab and search for Network Sharing Center.
- Click Change Advanced sharing settings and select the account you use.
- Go to the Network Discovery section and turn on the Network Discovery option.
- Disable the Password Protected sharing option and save the changes.
Conclusion
This blog explains why you see the hosting mode is off QuickBooks error message while setting up a network or opening a company file. We expect that you apply the methods given in the blog to fix the issue and make your QuickBooks error free again.
Speak to a QB professional at 1.855.738.2784 if issues emerge while applying the solutions.
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