QuickBooks is widely known for its powerful accounting and financial management capabilities. However, users sometimes encounter errors that can disrupt their workflow. One such error is QuickBooks Error 6190, which typically occurs when accessing or opening a company file. This error can prevent users from accessing critical financial data, leading to frustration.

In this blog, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and effective solutions for resolving QuickBooks Error 6190 to ensure smooth business operations.

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What Is QuickBooks Error 6190?

QuickBooks Error 6190 is a part of the 6000 series errors, which are typically associated with issues involving the company file. This error generally occurs when the company file (also known as the .qbw file) or the transaction log file (the .tlg file) is damaged, corrupted, or being accessed by another user.

The error message usually reads:
"QuickBooks is unable to open this company file. It may have been opened by another user or is in use."

What Causes QuickBooks Error 6190?

There are several possible reasons behind QuickBooks Error 6190:

1. Mismatch between the transaction log file (.tlg) and the company file (.qbw).
2. Data corruption or damage in the company file.
3. Single-user mode being accessed by multiple users, leading to conflicts.
4. QuickBooks installation issues or problems with the software version.
5. Network connectivity issues that prevent QuickBooks from accessing the company file.

Symptoms of QuickBooks Error 6190

If you encounter QuickBooks Error 6190, you may experience the following symptoms:

• You are unable to open your company file in QuickBooks.
• QuickBooks freezes or crashes when attempting to open the file.
• You receive an error message stating that the file is already in use.
• QuickBooks becomes unresponsive during specific tasks related to the company file.
• You experience a delay or inability to access financial records.

Now that we have an understanding of the causes and symptoms of this error, let's explore the solutions to fix it.

How to Fix QuickBooks Error 6190

Several methods can help resolve QuickBooks Error 6190. Below are the most effective troubleshooting steps.

1. Use QuickBooks File Doctor

One of the easiest ways to resolve QuickBooks Error 6190 is by using the QuickBooks File Doctor tool. This tool is designed to identify and fix issues related to the company file, network, and installation.

Steps to Use QuickBooks File Doctor:

1. Download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub from the official Intuit website.
2. Open QuickBooks Tool Hub and select the Company File Issues tab.
3. Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
4. Browse and select your company file from the list or manually search for it.
5. Choose Check your file and click Continue.
6. Enter your QuickBooks admin password when prompted.
7. The tool will automatically scan and fix the file. Once the process is complete, try opening the company file again.

If the issue is resolved, you should be able to access your company file without encountering Error 6190.

2. Ensure Single-User Mode

Another common cause of QuickBooks Error 6190 is when multiple users attempt to access the company file while it is in single-user mode. QuickBooks is designed to function in either single-user or multi-user mode, but accessing a single-user mode file on multiple systems can trigger errors.

Steps to Switch to Single-User Mode:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop on the server or hosting computer.
2. Navigate to the File menu.
3. Select Switch to Single-User Mode.
4. Once in single-user mode, attempt to access the company file on the host computer only.

If this resolves the issue, you should switch to multi-user mode before allowing other users to access the file simultaneously.

3. Rename the .ND and .TLG Files

Sometimes, the .ND (Network Descriptor) and .TLG (Transaction Log) files become corrupted or out of sync with the company file. Renaming these files forces QuickBooks to generate new versions, which can often resolve QuickBooks Error 6190.

Steps to Rename .ND and .TLG Files:

1. Close QuickBooks Desktop on all systems.
2. Open the folder where your company file is stored.
3. Look for files with the same name as your company file but with .ND and .TLG extensions (e.g., YourCompanyFile.nd and YourCompanyFile.tlg).
4. Right-click each file and select Rename.
5. Add .old to the end of the filename (e.g., YourCompanyFile.nd.old and YourCompanyFile.tlg.old).
6. Open QuickBooks again and attempt to access the company file.

By renaming these files, QuickBooks creates new, functional versions, which can eliminate the error.

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4. Use QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery

If your company file is severely damaged and other solutions fail, you can use the QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery (ADR) feature. ADR can help you recover lost or corrupted data by restoring a backup of your company file.

Steps to Use QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery:

1. Locate the ADR folder in the same directory as your company file.
2. Inside the ADR folder, you will find two files: one with a .qbw.adr extension (company file) and another with a .tlg.adr extension (transaction log file).
3. Copy both files and paste them into the original company file folder.
4. Remove the .adr from the filenames, effectively restoring your company file and transaction log.

Open QuickBooks and check if the error is resolved using the restored data.

5. Check for Network Connectivity Issues

If QuickBooks is installed on a network, network connectivity issues may prevent it from accessing the company file. Ensure that the server hosting the file is connected to the network and that QuickBooks Database Server Manager is running.

Steps to Check Network Connectivity:

1. Open QuickBooks Database Server Manager on the host computer.
2. Ensure that the folder containing your company file is listed.
3. If it’s not listed, click Browse and add the folder where your company file is stored.
4. Restart the QuickBooks Database Server and verify that other users can access the file.

6. Repair QuickBooks Installation

If all else fails, there may be issues with the installation of QuickBooks itself. Repairing the installation can resolve the problem.

Steps to Repair QuickBooks:

1. Open Control Panel in Windows.
2. Go to Programs and Features.
3. Find QuickBooks Desktop, right-click, and select Repair.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.

Once the repair is done, restart your computer and open QuickBooks to check if the error is resolved.

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Conclusion

QuickBooks Error 6190 can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, it can be resolved quickly. Whether the issue is related to file corruption, multiple users in single-user mode, or network issues, these solutions should help you get back to managing your finances without disruption.

If you continue to experience problems with QuickBooks Error 6190, it may be time to seek professional assistance. You can contact our expert support team for further help at +1-888-538-1314.