Error – QuickBooks Company File Cannot Be Opened

So you have valiantly been trying to open your QuickBooks Company File but all your efforts have been in vain, is that so?

I can understand how frustrating it gets as the company file is the fundamental block to any organization for it holds the business critical data.

But you don’t need to worry any longer, as here is the full-proof remedy:

Step 1: First things first, make sure that the QuickBooks version you’re using is the latest one in the market.

Step 2: Open the file using the same version which was used last time around. Any difference in versions leads to ambiguity.

Step 3: Instead of using alternate routes, open the file directly through QuickBooks.

Step 4: When you’re getting ready to open the file using QuickBooks, make sure you’re holding down the “ALT” key as that would prevent any reports or other QuickBooks windows from opening.

Step 5: Try to open a sample company file first rather than directly going for broke.

Step 6: If it is possible, move the company file to another location, a new location per se and then try opening it! Sometimes, if luck has it, it’ll open up right away!

Step 7: You might also want to check the properties of the company file and look for any distortions issues with respect to integration, compatibility or file format.

Step 8: If it still isn’t working, try renaming the company file. The odds are pretty less when it comes to this, but still, it is worth a shot

Step 9: After you move the company file to a new location, try opening the file from there.

Step 10: Rename the “.tlg” file.

Step 11: Turn off multi-user hosting.

Step 12: Edit the file extension of the company file.

If the above-lying steps have failed to satisfy your query, try moving the company file to another separate computer altogether. Once you do that, follow these steps and open the desired file. If the file is able to boot successfully on this computer, this implies that there were some issues with the first computer, either with regards to the QuickBooks compatibility, or the system itself.

In a nutshell, follow the underlying steps to the word, progressively till you find the solution to your problem:

1. Update QuickBooks if necessary.
2. Run “Reboot.bat”
3. Perform a clean installation of QuickBooks i.e. start from scratch.
4. Choose the option “Repair” from the QuickBooks installation window.

After all that has been said and done, if the file still doesn’t open, then most likely your company file is damaged/corrupted.