Written ByDavid HernandezSenior Technical Writer

Reviewed ByPatricia WalshFormer Intuit Technical Support Lead

QuickBooks Error H505: Can't Switch to Multi-User Mode

Reconnect Your Workstations to the Company File

Error H505 shows up on a workstation when you try to open a company file stored on another computer, or switch to multi-user mode. QuickBooks can't make the connection it needs to the server. It's a close cousin of Error H202, and the fixes overlap a lot.

The good news is that H505 is a network and settings problem. Your company file is fine.

"Error H505: This company file is on another computer, and QuickBooks needs some help connecting."

What's in This Guide:

▶ What Is QuickBooks Error H505?

▶ Why Does Error H505 Happen?

▶ Quick Reference

▶ How to Prevent Error H505

▶ FAQs

Office manager fixing QuickBooks Error H505 on a workstation

What Is QuickBooks Error H505?

The H-series errors (H101, H202, H303, H505) all mean the same thing in slightly different ways: a workstation can't communicate with the computer hosting the company file. H505 typically appears when:

Hosting settings are wrong on the server or workstations
QuickBooks Database Server Manager isn't running on the server
A firewall is blocking QuickBooks' network ports
The workstation can't find the server by name
The network data (.ND) file is damaged

Why Does Error H505 Happen?

Hosting is off on the server or on at a workstation

The server must host multi-user access. Workstations must not.

Database Server Manager services are stopped

The QuickBooksDBXX service on the server manages connections. If it's stopped, workstations can't connect.

Firewall blocking QuickBooks

Windows Firewall or third-party security software can block the ports QuickBooks uses.

Name resolution problems

The workstation can't find the server by its computer name.

Damaged .ND file

The network data file tells workstations how to reach the file. If it's damaged, they can't.

How to Fix QuickBooks Error H505, Step by Step

FIX #1

Run QuickBooks File Doctor on the Workstation

Step 1 Install the latest QuickBooks Tool Hub on the workstation showing the error.

Step 2 Open it and go to Company File Issues > Run QuickBooks File Doctor.

Step 3 Browse to the company file on the server using its network path and choose Check your file and network.

Step 4 Enter your admin password and let it finish, then try opening the file.

FIX #2

Check Hosting Settings

Step 1 On each workstation, open QuickBooks and go to File > Utilities. If you see Stop Hosting Multi-User Access, click it.

Step 2 On the server, if full QuickBooks is installed, go to File > Utilities and choose Host Multi-User Access.

Step 3 If the server only has Database Server Manager, open it and confirm your company file folder is listed.

FIX #3

Make Sure the QuickBooks Database Service Is Running

Step 1 On the server, press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.

Step 2 Find QuickBooksDBXX, where XX matches your version (for example QuickBooksDB31 for 2021, QuickBooksDB34 for 2024).

Step 3 Double-click it, set Startup type to Automatic, and click Start if it's stopped.

Step 4 On the Recovery tab, set first and second failure to Restart the Service, then click OK.

FIX #4

Allow QuickBooks Through the Firewall

Step 1 On the server, open QuickBooks Database Server Manager and go to the Port Monitor tab. Note the port number shown for your version.

Step 2 Open Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced settings.

Step 3 Create inbound and outbound rules allowing that port, plus the QuickBooks programs QBDBMgrN.exe and QBW32.exe.

Step 4 If you use third-party security software, add the same exceptions there.

Shortcut: The Tool Hub's Network Issues > QuickBooks Database Server Manager option can configure firewall settings for you on the server.

FIX #5

Add the Server to the Windows Hosts File

If the workstation can't find the server by name, you can tell it directly.

Step 1 On the server, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig and note the IPv4 Address. Type hostname to get its name.

Step 2 On the workstation, open Notepad as administrator and open C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\hosts.

Step 3 Add a line with the server's IP address, a space or tab, then the server name. Save the file.

Step 4 Repeat on the server for each workstation if needed, then try again.

192.168.1.20 OFFICE-SERVER

FIX #6

Rename the .ND File and Re-Scan

Step 1 On the server, rename the company file's .ND file by adding .old to the end.

Step 2 Open Database Server Manager and click Start Scan on the company file folder.

Step 3 Open the company file from the workstation again.

Quick Reference

Situation	Try first
H505 on one workstation only	Fix #1, then Fix #5
H505 on every workstation	Fix #3, then Fix #4
After a Windows or antivirus update	Fix #4: firewall
After moving the server	Fix #6, then Fix #5

How to Prevent Error H505

Use a fixed (static) IP address for the server
Keep hosting turned on only on the server
Keep QuickBooks and Database Server Manager on the same release
Use wired network connections for the server and main workstations

Frequently Asked Questions About Error H505

What's the difference between Error H202 and H505?

Both mean a workstation can't reach the server in multi-user mode. They're fixed the same way: check hosting, the database service, the firewall and name resolution.

Can I keep working while I fix Error H505?

Yes. Work directly on the server, or open the file in single-user mode on one computer while you fix the network side. Don't copy the file around to workstations.

Why did H505 start after a Windows update?

Updates sometimes reset firewall rules or network profiles. Re-apply the QuickBooks firewall exceptions and make sure the network is set to Private.

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