How to Fix QuickBooks Company File Opening Issue? A Complete Guide in 2025

If you are one of those facing the QuickBooks company file won’t open error, you are not alone. This error is faced by many users, and there are concrete ways to resolve the QuickBooks Company File Opening issue. Yes, you heard that right. However, QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting software in the world. Millions of users rely on QuickBooks, and so they are bound to face many errors that can obstruct their workflow. The QuickBooks company file opening issue primarily occurs when working on inventory, bank reconciliations, reports, or creating backup files.

The error occurs with the 6000 series or H/C series error. The company file is fundamental to QuickBooks; if it stops working, the entire workflow is down, and you cannot carry out any activity in QuickBooks.

To eliminate this error, we are here to guide you on how to fix the QuickBooks company file that won’t open. Your questions, such as how to repair a company file in QuickBooks and how to fix the “QuickBooks company file won’t open” error, will also be addressed in this post.

The QuickBooks company file cannot be opened, resulting in an error message. 

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Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing QuickBooks Company File Opening Issue

Solution 1: Update QuickBooks

• Update your QuickBooks to the latest version.
• Ensure the file you want to open is a company file (.QBW), such as a backup (.QBB) or portable file (.QBM).
• Ensure the file is not compressed or encrypted. Follow these steps:
  • Step 1: Go to the company file, right-click, and then select Properties. 
  • Step 2: Choose the Advanced option
  • Step 3: Now, clear any compressed and encrypted file checkboxes. 
  • Step 4: Choose Ok to continue. 

Solution 2: Renaming TLG & ND Files

The QuickBooks Company File Opening issue can be resolved by renaming the TLG & ND files.

Step. 1: Head on to the folder where your company files are saved or stored.

Step. 2: Now, right-click the .TLG extension

Step. 3: Now, you must rename it to OLD.qbw.TNG and .ND file to OLD.qbw.ND

Step. 4: Now, open your QuickBooks company file; new TLG and ND files will be created.

The error indicating that the QuickBooks company file won’t open must have been resolved. If not, follow the next solution provided. 

Solution 3: Directly Open a File from QuickBooks

Open Company File/Accountant Copy

Step. 1: Head on to the File menu,

Step. 2: Choose to open or restore the company

Step. 3: Choose a company file and click Next to proceed

Step. 4: Choose a company file and click Open

Restoring a Backup File

Step. 1: Go to the File menu and click “Open” or “Restore Company File.”

Step. 2: Select Open a company file and choose the next button

Step. 3: Select local backup, click Next, and then select Backup and Next. 

Step. 4: Select the location to save the file.

Restoring an Accountant’s Copy File

Step. 1: Choose a company file and click Open or restore company

Step. 2: Now, you need to convert the accountant’s copy transfer file and click Next to proceed.

Step. 3: Once again, click Next on the information window tab

Step. 4: Select the transfer file, click Next, and then save the file to the desired location.

If the company cannot open the file, the error still exists. Follow the next solution given below.

Solution 4: Try Opening the Company Sample File

Step. 1: Click on the Windows Start Menu

Step. 2: Click the CTRL key and select QuickBooks. (Make sure QuickBooks opens up)

Step. 3: Now, select the sample company file and open it. (If the sample company file does not open, there is a problem with the QuickBooks company file opening.)

If the QuickBooks company file opening issue doesn’t get resolve, follow our next step guide. 

Solution 5: Do Not Save Desktop When Closing QuickBooks

QuickBooks can reopen if any window is left open. If you have many windows and a report set to open automatically, your QuickBooks can freeze or stop opening as expected. 

Step. 1: Open QuickBooks Desktop, select your company file.

Step. 2: Press and hold the ALT key, then select the Open option. (Make sure the file opens up)

Step. 3: Keep holding the ALT key. If QuickBooks asks you to enter your username and password, do it and select OK. 

Now, if your company file opens up successfully, turn off the Save Desktop option when choosing the preference. Follow these steps:

Step. 1: Go to the Edits option and select Preference.

Step. 2: Now, choose the desktop view option

Step. 3: Select the “Do not save the desktop” option and click OK.

Step. 4: Now, close your QuickBooks and open your company profile; your QuickBooks company file opening issue must have been resolved.

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Final Words

If you are facing a QuickBooks company file opening issue, this complete step-by-step guide will help you resolve the problem quickly. Just follow the steps and directions, and get your QuickBooks errors fixed. A QuickBooks company file that won’t open can prevent you from using the accounting software. These problems may come due to several reasons and can affect your accounting, inventory, banking, and other operations. Many individuals and small and medium-sized businesses use QuickBooks. If this stops working, you are bound to get frustrated.