While accessing the QuickBooks desktop, you may face an error message regarding the QuickBooks company file already open. This error code is encountered when you click on the QuickBooks desktop icon many times. To fix QuickBooks already has a company file open error, this article shall suggest resetting your system and updating the software. To know additional methods for fixing this QuickBooks error message, you can read this article till the end.

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Causes for 'QuickBooks already has a company file open' error message

Some of the primary causes behind this error include:

•          The company file is already open. The folder that contains the company file has a permission issue

•          Several QuickBooks services are open.

•          Your QuickBooks company file may be open.

•          There may be permission-related problems with the folder in which your file is placed.

•          Multiple services of the software may be open.

•          Damaged or corrupted company file of QuickBooks.

•          QuickBooks background processes may be receiving interruptions from a third-party program.

Steps to Fix QuickBooks already has a Company File Open

Follow the methods below to fix the QuickBooks 'cannot connect to the email server' error:

Step 1: Close QuickBooks Process from Task Manager

•          Press  'Ctrl+Shift+Esc' simultaneously.

•          The task manager opens up.

•          Head to the 'Details' option.

•          Select one of the random services from the list and press Q. In this way, you will be prompted to the QuickBooks.

•          Click on 'QBW32.EXE, QBDBMgr.exe'

•          Click End Task

Step 2: Close all QuickBooks Processes at Once

 Follow the below steps to close all QuickBooks processes at once.

•          Press 'Ctrl+Shift+Esc' together to open the task manager

•          Click on the 'Processes' tab

•          Click on QuickBooks and then 'End Task.' 

•         Reopen QuickBooks again

Step 3: Restart your Computer

• • •          You can restart the computer to fix this problem.

    •          Click on the Start menu and click on the Power key

    •          Choose Restart

    •          Once the computer is restarted, open QuickBooks again.

Step 4: Install Updates for the QuickBooks Software

Check if your QuickBooks software is updated to the latest version. Follow the steps below to check the same:

• • •          Open QuickBooks Desktop and navigate to the 'Help' menu.

    •          Search for the option 'Update QuickBooks.' Once located, select it.

    •          Navigate to the 'Update Now’ option.

    •          The updates will be seen in this tab. Select the ones that you need.

    •          Select 'Get Updates ' option.

    •          Now, you will see a link. Click on this link to view 'Maintenance Releases.'

    •          A page containing more information relating to the updates under 'Changes' or 'Improvements' will appear on the screen. Proceed with that.

    •          Close the software.

    •          After some time, reopen QuickBooks Desktop.

    •          A new window will ask you whether the updates have to be installed. You can select 'Install Now. '

    •          Restart your computer once you've finished applying the updates.

    •          Open QuickBooks Desktop and launch your Company File.

    •          See if the error got resolved.

Step 5: Ensure that Hosting is disabled on Workstations

Sometimes hosting on your workstations may be the cause of the company file already open error in QuickBooks. It should be disabled for workstations as well as the Server. This QuickBooks problem may not bother the user when hosting isn't enabled on multiple workstations.

There are several options for disabling hosting on workstations. These have been mentioned below:

Option 1: Disabling it for Workstations

• • •          Follow the steps given below:

    •          Open 'QuickBooks' on a workstation and ensure that it runs through the network.

    •          Select the menu for 'File.'

    •          Under the 'Utilities' option, find whether 'Host Multi-user Access' option is available. If unavailable, choose 'Stop Hosting Multi-user Access.

Option 2: Stopping hosting for Server

Hosting also needs to be disabled for the Server to troubleshoot the Intuit QuickBooks already has a company file open problem. To do so, follow the steps below:

•          Run the QuickBooks Desktop software.

•          Navigate to 'File' and select the 'Utilities' option.

Once the 'Host Multi-user Access' option is available, ensure it is chosen. 

•          Click on 'Stop Host Multi-user Access.' BY clicking on it, you reset the mode.

•          Perform the steps of this fix one more time.

•          Check if the 'Host Multi-user Access' is opted for.