Step-by-Step Fix for QuickBooks Company File in Use Issue
                     Easy fixes for the 
QuickBooks Company File 
in Use issue
QuickBooks depends on the company files to store new data and perform the 
accounting tasks precisely. QuickBooks Company File in Use message sometimes 
interrupts users when they try accessing the financial data. If a similar message 
appears in your QBDT while opening a company file, give this blog a read to find out 
the causes of the issue and reliable methods to eliminate it quickly.
Save your time & and efforts by contacting 1.855.856.0042 to let our QB support team 
handle the troubleshooting.

Reasons
You’ll see this error message come up on the screen while accessing the company file 
data or using it for an accounting task in the software. The conditions that trigger this 
error in your QuickBooks are mentioned below-
• You are signed in with a non-admin account, leading to issues while accessing the 
files in the system drives.
• The company file isn’t updated or has a discrepancy with the transaction log file data.
• Multiple systems other than the server try to run in multi-user mode and host the 
company file.
Solutions
You will face problems utilizing your company file until this error is removed from your 
QuickBooks. Some easy methods effective to deal with this data file error are mentioned 
below-
Solution 1- Update your data file after signing as an admin user in 
QuickBooks
You can sometimes run into an error message indicating that the company file is already in 
use. This happens if QBDT fails to access the file if you haven’t updated the company file, or 
if there is a data discrepancy with the transaction log file. Admin permissions also play a 
major role in triggering various errors in the software, so you must use your QB admin 
account to prevent issues. Use the following steps-
• Launch your QuickBooks and close all the company files opened in the software.
• Sign in using your QB admin account and click the File menu at the top.
• Click the Open or Restore company option and select Open a company.
• Hit the Next option and choose the company file you want to open.
• Click Next again and check the Update company file for the new version message on 
the screen. Mark the checkbox in the dialogue box for confirmation and click the Update 
Now
• Do as per the instructions given on the screen and create a backup if the software 
prompts.
• Wait until the process is complete, and then open your QuickBooks again.
If the error message comes up again while opening the data file, move to the next solution.
Solution 2- Mend your data file with the Quick Fix My File tool
This error message can also show up in case the data file is damaged or corrupt. The 
easiest way to repair the file is by using the QB tool hub as described in the steps 
mentioned below-
• Run the QuickBooks Tool hub application on your PC and click the Company file 
issues
• Select Quick Fix My File in the options and let the tool repair the company file 
completely.
Conclusion
We are now at the end of this blog describing why the QuickBooks Company File in Use 
message appears when you try accessing your financial data. The appropriate methods to 
terminate the error are also given in the blog, which you must use to prevent issues while 
utilizing the data file.
Talk to our team of QB experts at 1.855.856.0042 if you face problems while using the 
solutions.