QuickBooks . Apr 30th 2024 . 7 Min read

QuickBooks Hosting Mode is Off: How to Turn On and Off

If you’re using QuickBooks and want multiple users to access your company file at the same time, you might encounter an issue where “QuickBooks Hosting Mode is Off.” This means other users can’t connect to the file over the network. This blog post is your solution – it will guide you through enabling Hosting Mode, setting up user access, and troubleshooting any problems you might face along the way.

Requirements For QuickBooks Hosting Mode On

Component	Requirement
System Requirements
Operating System (OS)	Windows 8 or later (Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10)
Internet Connection	Stable broadband connection (avoid satellite)
Network	Reliable network connection with outbound port 3389 open
Software Requirements
QuickBooks Version	Version supporting multi-user mode
QuickBooks Database Server Manager	Running on the host computer
File Permissions	Shared folder with appropriate read/write permissions
Hardware Requirements (Minimum)
Processor	Intel Core i3 or equivalent
RAM	8 GB
Storage	2.5 GB free disk space + additional space for company data
Screen Resolution	1280×1024 or higher (recommended)
Hardware Requirements (Recommended)
Processor	Intel Core i5 or i7
RAM	16 GB
Storage	SSD for optimal performance

How to Turn On or Enable Hosting Mode in QuickBooks?

Open QuickBooks Desktop on the host computer.
Click on the File menu.
Hover over Utilities and select Host Multi-User Access.
Click Yes to enable Hosting Mode.

Additional Considerations

Network Sharing: Ensure proper network sharing is enabled on the computer hosting the company file. Refer to your Windows settings for enabling file and printer sharing if needed.
Firewall Exceptions: Firewall software might restrict communication. Make sure QuickBooks and related services are allowed through the firewall.

Additional Configurations for Enabling QuickBooks Hosting Mode

Windows File Sharing

Right-click the folder containing your company file.
Select “Properties” followed by “Sharing”.
Click “Share” and choose “QBDataServiceUserXX” (XX representing your version).
Grant “Full Control” permission for this user.

For Windows Server 2012 and above

Access “Server Manager”.
Navigate to “File Services” -> “Shares”.
Click “New Share” and select “SMB Share – Quick”.
Choose a custom path to your company file location.
Grant read/write permissions for the appropriate users.

Turning Off QuickBooks Hosting Mode

Open QuickBooks Desktop on the host computer.
Click “File” and select “Utilities”.
If “Stop Hosting Multi-User Access” is displayed, Hosting Mode is already disabled.
If “Host Multi-User Access” is shown, click it to disable Hosting Mode.

Important Note: Disabling Hosting Mode restricts access to the company file to a single user at a time.

Conclusion

QuickBooks Hosting Mode empowers multiple users to access your company file simultaneously, streamlining collaboration and boosting efficiency. This translates to real-time collaboration and increased efficiency. However, if you encounter a message indicating “Hosting Mode is Off,” don’t worry! Simply follow the steps outlined above to enable it and unlock the ability to grant access to other users.

Next, remember to establish user accounts and permissions within QuickBooks. This ensures each user has the appropriate level of access to the company file. In addition, consider setting up different permission levels to match individual user needs. Share the company file folder on your network to allow others to access it remotely.