How to Rectify QuickBooks H202 Error?

Whenever someone tries to use QuickBooks in multi-user mode, they might receive the error code H202. This error usually means that the multi-user connection to your server computer is blocked. If you have issues communicating with your server, it would be difficult to access the QuickBooks company file.

What does QuickBooks error H202 mean?

When a workstation fails to access a company file placed on another computer, it results in a QuickBooks error h202. The error message reads as follows:

Error Code H202: “QuickBooks needs your help connecting to a file that’s on another computer.”

Here is how you fix this issue,

Scan the corrupted files in the company file with the QuickBooks Database Server Manager. The Database Server Manager will restore your connection with information on how to repair the corrupted files.

What is the reason behind Error H202?

QuickBooks error code H202 can happen when QuickBooks Desktop is trying to establish a connection to the company file, but can’t communicate with the server due to one of the following reasons:

• The hosting site is not configured correctly
• The firewall is blocking access to communications
• Conflict with DNS Server
• QuickBooks cannot connect to the company file because it’s not responding.
• It looks like some QuickBooks services are not being installed on the server computer.
• The network data file (.ND) is not compatible with my computer

Here is how you can fix QuickBooks Error H202,

Backing up your QBW file is the best way to protect your data. If you accidentally erase a section of your file, it can be recovered from a backup.

Intuit suggests using the Database Server Manager to fix the error, but if you’ve already done that, and still getting H202 error, try the following solutions:

Implement the solutions in the following order to achieve optimum results.

Solution 1 – Test Network Connectivity

• Check your network connection by using the ping command from a workstation.
• Ping your server from your workstation to see if there’s a network connection.

NOTE: If you don’t know your server name, you will need to turn on “Network Discovery” on your computer and any workstation receiving the error.

You need to follow these steps to ping your server:

• To open the RUN window, type run into the windows search bar
• Open the Run window, type cmd into the search box, and click on Enter

Enter ping [servername] to send the server name to the workstation on the other side of the connection. Press Enter key when done. Pinging your server can help you troubleshoot your connection problems.

When you detect packet loss or get a slow reply, it means the network needs to be repaired. If that happens, proceed to Solution 2.

Solution 2 – QuickBooks File Doctor needs to be used

Run the File Doctor tool to solve issues that might be blocking multi-user connections and preventing users from connecting to the server.

Solution 3 – Set your firewall settings for QuickBooks Desktop

Make sure that the QuickBooks firewall isn’t blocking. Read the post ‘Configure Firewall and Internet security settings for QuickBooks Desktop’ for detailed instructions on adding QuickBooks ports exception on the firewall.

Try opening QuickBooks in Multi-user mode if you still can’t access the program.

Solution 4 – Ensure that the QuickBooks services are running

Check if the QuickBooks services are running on the server computer. Follow the instructions below to check if the QuickbooksDBXX services are running, and then repeat them for QBCFMonitorService.

• In the windows search bar, type RUN
• Type services.msc, and then hit Enter in the Run window
• In the services window, browse and double click QuickBooks DBXX on the list

XX notes are your version of QuickBooks

• QuickBooksDBXX Properties window is displayed. Choose Automatic as the Startup Type.
• The Service must be either Running or Started. Otherwise, select Start.
• Select the tab Recovery
• Make a selection from the three different options: first, second or subsequent failures.
• Click on OK and then you need to save changes.
• Open the QuickBooks application. Click the File menu and choose the Switch to Multi-user Mode option. If you can correctly open everything, the problem is fixed.

Solution 5: Server needs to be added to Windows Hosts File

• To add your computer’s server to the Windows hosts file, follow these steps:
• Open the Windows hosts file on a computer getting an error.
  • C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc
  • C:\Windows\Syswow64\Drivers\Etc
• Click twice on the host’s file
• When prompted, select Notepad as the default application to open your files.
• On the host’s file, after the last IP address, enter Server’s IP address followed by the server name.
  • NOTE: Use TAB key instead of space bar for separating IP address and server name.
• You have to choose to save from the file menu
• Click on Exit
• After double-clicking the company file, select the multi-user mode option. If this doesn’t work, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 6: Select a new folder for Your QBW file

To create a new folder for your QBW file:

• Create a new folder on the server computer
• Share the folder and set up permissions so that you can share company files.
• Copy the QuickBooks Database (QBW) to the new folder.
• Keep your company file open in multi-user mode.

Reference: https://fastnewsinc.com/2021/11/30/how-to-resolve-quickbooks-error-h202/