Intuit, the company behind the famous accounting software QuickBooks released the QuickBooks File Doctor tool in the year 2012. The aim behind its release was to enable customers to quickly fix the common problems they face while using the software. Intuit has included this tool in all the editions that followed QuickBooks 2016. File Doctor repairs various problems automatically. But many people still need to gain deep knowledge about it. In this post, you’ll learn about this tool in greater detail.
What Does QuickBooks File Doctor Tool Do?
The QB File Doctor tool helps detect and repair damaged or corrupted company files in QuickBooks. Along with that, it’s also extensively utilized for resolving network issues in QB. This tool is the outcome of a combination of the network diagnostic tool and the company file data damage repairing tool. On experiencing any problem in QB, the File Doctor tool should be your first choice to fix it.
When Should You Use the QuickBooks File Doctor?
You can use this handy tool in a variety of cases. All of them are mentioned below.
- On receiving 6000 series error codes like Error 6150, QuickBooks Error 6000, Error-6000 -82, 6187, Error -6147
- Use this tool if, apart from the damaged company files, the sample and other company files open appropriately.
- You can use the tool when you encounter QuickBooks H series error codes.
- When the company file is corrupt or damaged, use the File Doctor.
- When you encounter issues in launching, use this tool.
How Can You Download and Run the QuickBooks File Doctor?
It’s easy to download the QB File Doctor tool. You just need to download the QuickBooks Tool Hub, where you can choose it from the available list of tools and then install it. After downloading, save a file to a secure location.
- Launch the file of ‘QuickBooksToolHub.exe.’
- Abide by the guidelines on the screen for installing it.
- Double-click on the icon of Tool Hub to open it when the installation ends.
- When accessing the Tool Hub, select the ‘Company File Issues’ tab.
- Select the option of ‘Run File Doctor‘ for QB.
- Lastly, type in your password for QB and select ‘Next.’
It will begin with processing your company file and inspecting for network issues. After the File Doctor completes processing, restart QB and launch your company file for verifying data integrity.
How to Troubleshoot Problems with the Aid of QB File Doctor
After you install the tool, you’ll naturally be intrigued to know about the problems it can fix. Given below are some common problems that companies face and how you can resolve them through the File Doctor.
Network problems
To fix network problems through the QB File Doctor, you need to run the tool. After running, go through the results. On their basis, you can select a suitable fix for the problem. Some typical results and their relevant solutions are provided below.
1- The hosting mode is turned off.
Upon getting this result, you need to turn on the hosting. It will enable you to access QB files over a network. Hosting enables other systems in the network (workstations) to access files from the central system (host). The host is where the company files are stored. QB desktop utilizes the following services for managing company file access.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2020 utilizes QuickBooks database 30.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2019 utilizes QuickBooks database 29.
- Desktop 2018 utilizes QuickBooks database 28.
You can locate this service in user accounts via the control panel beneath the ‘Users’ category. Here you need to look for the service that’s compatible with the QB desktop version on your main system.
2- Accessing the company file
If you want to access the company file, you must fulfill the conditions given below.
- Every QuickBooks user should possess a user credential.
- The database server can properly launch the company file. So the Database Server Mode is crucial.
- The user signing in should have all Windows file permissions. It means they should be able to view, launch, and change the file.
How QuickBooks Desktop connects with the database server
To find the database server to communicate with the QB Desktop, the following is done.
- It will look for the .nd file. It’s found in the same directory where the company file is. The company file has a .qbw extension, while the .nd file has a .nd extension. The tool gets the data needed for contacting the server through this directory.
- The tool assesses if the .qbw file is being used currently.
- Next, it attempts to communicate with the server.
- If this effort is successful, the file gets opened.
- If the attempt is unsuccessful, it shows an error message that should be fixed.
The File Doctor will not only show the error codes, but it will also show you the appropriate steps to adhere to.
How Should You Fix Company File Issues?
When the File Doctor cannot locate the file it’s searching for, you will find an error message. Now, this tool will fix these issues in the following manner.
Run Quick Fix My File
After receiving the error message, you should navigate to the QB Tool Hub. There, choose the tab that showcases company file issues. Choose the option of ‘Quick Fix My File.’ The tool will then resolve the issue, and you can open the company file. If you still find the error, you should run the QB File Doctor. Here’s the process you should follow.
- Go to the QuickBooks Tool Hub and choose ‘Company File Issues.’
- Tap ‘Run QuickBooks File Doctor.’
- From the pop-down menu, locate your company file.
- Select ‘Check Your File‘ and tap ‘Continue.’
- You’ll get a prompt for the QuickBooks Admin password.
Why Should You Always Backup QuickBooks?
After the File Doctor fixes the company file, you should always take its backup. The tool should also be kept updated for good performance. So, run the update for the tool periodically. Apart from that, ensure to verify and rebuild the date frequently. It’s only then that the File Doctor can detect and fix various network issues and the problems in your files.
Possible Results That QB File Doctor Can Show
The File Doctor tool will fix the problem according to the results you get. Some result possibilities that you can encounter.
1- QuickBooks File Doctor finds the problem but can’t resolve it.
The right course of action would be to choose the ‘QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery’ set up in such a case. Upon selecting it, you’ll need to type the transactions manually. You can enter the transactions through the latest backup or the file you uploaded before.
2- QuickBooks File Doctor does not find any problem.
In this case, you will need to sign back into your company file. If the error persists, choose the option of ‘QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery’ setup. After choosing it, type in the transactions till the last backup.
Final Words
The efficiency of the QuickBooks File Doctor tool has made it an integral part of many daily tasks of various businesses. This post has provided you with a detailed overview of the tool and the problems it can resolve. Hopefully, you can now use it to diagnose and fix the issues you are facing. If you encounter any trouble using it effectively, feel free to connect with professional QuickBooks support.
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