QuickBooks Error 6190-816: Company File Locked or In Use

10-minute fixVerified for QB 2024/2025Medium difficulty

Quick Answer:

Error 6190-816 occurs when someone is accessing the company file in single-user mode while others try to open it, or when transaction log (.TLG) files are mismatched or corrupted. Fix by ensuring all users exit, renaming .ND and .TLG files, and using QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

What is QuickBooks Error 6190-816?

QuickBooks Error 6190-816 is a multi-user network error that prevents users from opening the company file. This error indicates that either someone is accessing the file in single-user mode, or there's a conflict between the company file (.QBW) and its transaction log (.TLG) file. It's primarily a network communication issue rather than data corruption.

Error 6190-816: Company file locked or in use - Multi-user conflict

QuickBooks cannot open the file because another user has it open in single-user mode or transaction log files are mismatched.

Symptoms:
  • •Error 6190-816 when trying to open company file
  • •Cannot access file in multi-user mode
  • •Message: Another user has file open in single-user mode
  • •File appears locked even when no one is using it
  • •Error persists after all users close QuickBooks
Resolution Steps:
  1. 1.
    Ensure all users close QuickBooks
  2. 2.
    Rename .ND and .TLG files
  3. 3.
    Stop hosting multi-user access on workstations
  4. 4.
    Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager
  5. 5.
    Use QuickBooks File Doctor

Quick Fix for Error 6190-816 (10 Minutes)

Fastest Solution

  1. Ask all users to close QuickBooks completely
  2. On server, navigate to company file folder
  3. Find files with same name as your .QBW file but with .ND and .TLG extensions
  4. Right-click .ND file → Rename → Add .OLD to end (e.g., Company.qbw.nd.OLD)
  5. Right-click .TLG file → Rename → Add .OLD to end (e.g., Company.qbw.tlg.OLD)
  6. Open QuickBooks on server
  7. Open company file - QuickBooks creates new .ND and .TLG files
  8. Switch to multi-user mode if needed
  9. Have other users open file - error should be resolved

Detailed Solution Steps

  • 1
    Ensure All Users Are Logged Out

    Verify no one is accessing the company file:

    1. Contact all QuickBooks users to close the program
    2. On server, open QuickBooks
    3. Go to File → Utilities
    4. Look for "Host Multi-User Access" or "Stop Hosting Multi-User Access"
    5. If it says "Host Multi-User Access" - no one is connected
    6. If it says "Stop Hosting Multi-User Access" - click it to disconnect users
    7. Close QuickBooks on server
    8. Verify all users have closed QuickBooks on their workstations
  • 2
    Rename .ND and .TLG Files

    Recreate network data and transaction log files:

    1. On server, navigate to company file folder
    2. Typical location: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files
    3. Look for your company file (e.g., MyCompany.qbw)
    4. Find associated files with same name:
    5. MyCompany.qbw.nd (network data file)
    6. MyCompany.qbw.tlg (transaction log file)
    7. Right-click MyCompany.qbw.nd → Rename
    8. Add .OLD to end: MyCompany.qbw.nd.OLD
    9. Right-click MyCompany.qbw.tlg → Rename
    10. Add .OLD to end: MyCompany.qbw.tlg.OLD
    11. Don't delete these files - rename only in case you need to restore

    Why Rename These Files?

    .ND files contain network configuration data, and .TLG files track transactions in multi-user mode. Renaming forces QuickBooks to create fresh copies, resolving mismatches that cause Error 6190-816.
  • 3
    Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager

    Scan company file folder to recreate network files:

    1. On server, press Windows key
    2. Search for "QuickBooks Database Server Manager"
    3. Open Database Server Manager
    4. Go to "Scan Folders" tab
    5. Click "Browse"
    6. Navigate to folder containing your company file
    7. Select the folder → Click OK
    8. Click "Add Folder"
    9. Click "Scan" to start scanning
    10. Wait for scan to complete (creates new .ND file)
    11. Close Database Server Manager

    Database Server Manager Location:

    Windows: Start → All Programs → QuickBooks → QuickBooks Database Server Manager
    Or: C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]\QBServerUtilityMgr.exe
  • 4
    Stop Hosting on Workstations

    Ensure only server hosts the company file:

    1. On EACH workstation (not the server):
    2. Open QuickBooks
    3. Go to File → Utilities
    4. If you see "Stop Hosting Multi-User Access" - click it
    5. Click "Yes" to confirm stopping hosting
    6. If you see "Host Multi-User Access" - do nothing, already correct
    7. Close QuickBooks
    8. Repeat for all workstations
    9. Only the SERVER should host multi-user access

    Important: Workstations should NEVER host multi-user access. Only the server (the computer storing the company file) should have hosting enabled.

  • 5
    Restart Server and Workstations

    Full system reset clears locked sessions:

    1. Close all programs on server
    2. Restart server computer
    3. After server is fully restarted, restart each workstation
    4. Wait for all computers to fully boot
    5. On server, open QuickBooks as administrator
    6. Open company file
    7. Should open without Error 6190-816
    8. Switch to multi-user mode: File → Switch to Multi-User Mode
    9. On workstations, open QuickBooks
    10. Open company file from network path
  • 6
    Use QuickBooks File Doctor

    Run diagnostic tool to fix network and file issues:

    1. Download QuickBooks Tool Hub from Intuit's website
    2. Install Tool Hub on server
    3. Open Tool Hub → Click "Company File Issues"
    4. Click "Run QuickBooks File Doctor"
    5. Let File Doctor scan for company files
    6. Select your company file from list
    7. Select "Check your file (recommended)"
    8. Enter QuickBooks admin username and password
    9. Click "Diagnose File"
    10. Wait 5-15 minutes for completion
    11. File Doctor will fix network and file access issues
    12. Try opening file again after completion
  • 7
    Verify QuickBooks Database Service is Running

    Ensure database service is active on server:

    1. On server, press Windows + R
    2. Type: services.msc → Enter
    3. Find "QuickBooksDBXX" service (XX = version number)
    4. For QuickBooks 2024: QuickBooksDB29
    5. Check Status column - should say "Running"
    6. If not running, right-click service → Start
    7. Right-click service → Properties
    8. Set "Startup type" to "Automatic"
    9. Click Apply → OK
    10. Close Services window
    QuickBooks Database Service Names
    QuickBooks 2025: QuickBooksDB30
    QuickBooks 2024: QuickBooksDB29
    QuickBooks 2023: QuickBooksDB28
    QuickBooks 2022: QuickBooksDB27
  • 8
    Update QuickBooks to Latest Version

    Ensure all computers have latest updates:

    1. On server and all workstations:
    2. Open QuickBooks
    3. Go to Help → Update QuickBooks Desktop
    4. Click "Update Now" tab
    5. Check "Reset Update"
    6. Click "Get Updates"
    7. Wait for download to complete
    8. Close QuickBooks
    9. Reopen QuickBooks to install updates
    10. Follow installation prompts
    11. Repeat on all computers
    12. Try opening company file after all updates

    • Why Does Error 6190-816 Occur?

    Root Causes

    • Single-User Mode Conflict: Someone opened the company file in single-user mode while others try to access it
    • Mismatched TLG File: Transaction log file doesn't match the company file, causing sync issues
    • Corrupted .ND File: Network data file is damaged or contains outdated network information
    • Workstation Hosting Incorrectly: Workstation is hosting multi-user access instead of server
    • Database Service Not Running: QuickBooks Database Server Manager service stopped on server
    • Orphaned User Sessions: Previous QuickBooks sessions didn't close properly, leaving file locked

    How to Prevent Error 6190-816

    Best Practices:

    • Always use multi-user mode when multiple people need access - avoid single-user mode
    • Ensure only the server hosts multi-user access, never workstations
    • Set QuickBooks Database Service to start automatically on server
    • Keep all QuickBooks installations updated to the same version
    • Close QuickBooks properly on all computers - don't force quit or shut down with QB open

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What causes QuickBooks Error 6190-816?

    Error 6190-816 occurs when someone accesses the company file in single-user mode while others try to open it, or when the transaction log (.TLG) file doesn't match the company file. It's a multi-user network conflict rather than data corruption.

    Will renaming .ND and .TLG files delete my data?

    No, renaming .ND and .TLG files is completely safe and won't affect your data. These are support files that QuickBooks automatically recreates. Your company file (.QBW) contains all your financial data and remains untouched.

    Can workstations host multi-user access?

    No, only the server (the computer where the company file is stored) should host multi-user access. If workstations are hosting, it causes conflicts and errors like 6190-816. Verify File → Utilities shows "Host Multi-User Access" on workstations (meaning hosting is OFF).

    Error persists even after following all steps - what now?

    If the error persists, there may be Windows permissions issues or firewall blocking. Check that all users have Full Control permissions on the company file folder, verify QuickBooks ports are open in firewall (8019, 56728, 55378-55382), and consider contacting QuickBooks support for advanced troubleshooting.

    Related Resources

    Error H202 Solution

    Fix multi-user connection errors

    Error H505 Solution

    Fix hosting configuration issues

    Database Service Failure

    Fix DB Server Manager issues

    Multi-User Setup Guide

    Complete network configuration

    Need Professional Help?

    If you're still experiencing Error 6190-816 after following these steps, or need help with QuickBooks multi-user configuration and network setup, our QuickBooks specialists are here to help.

    Get Expert Support