QuickBooks Error H303: Company File Network Location

Test if the workstation can reach the server:

1. On the workstation, open Command Prompt (Windows + R → cmd)
2. Type: ping [server-computer-name]
3. Press Enter and observe the results
4. If you get replies, the connection works but there may be DNS issues
5. If you get "Request timed out" or "Could not find host", there's a connectivity problem
6. Ensure both computers are on the same network and subnet

Gather server information needed for configuration:

1. On the server computer, open Command Prompt
2. Type: ipconfig and press Enter
3. Find "IPv4 Address" - this is your server's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
4. Write down this IP address
5. Type: hostname and press Enter
6. Write down the computer name (e.g., SERVER1 or QUICKBOOKS-SERVER)

Add server information to hosts file for DNS resolution:

1. On the workstation, open Notepad as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator)
2. Click File → Open
3. Navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
4. Change file type dropdown to "All Files (*.*)"
5. Open the file named "hosts" (no extension)
6. At the bottom of the file, add a new line:

192.168.1.100    SERVER1

7. Replace the IP and name with your server's actual IP and computer name
8. Save the file (Ctrl+S)
9. Close Notepad
10. Restart the workstation or flush DNS: ipconfig /flushdns

Ensure Database Server Manager is properly configured:

1. On the server, open QuickBooks Database Server Manager
2. Go to the "Scan Folders" tab
3. If your company file folder is not listed, click "Add Folder"
4. Browse to and select the folder containing your company file
5. Click "Scan" and wait for the process to complete
6. Verify new .ND files are created next to your company file

Ensure Windows Firewall allows QuickBooks connections:

1. On the server, open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
2. Click "Inbound Rules" on the left
3. Look for rules containing "QuickBooks" or "QBW"
4. If missing, create new rules for ports: 8019, 56728, and your version-specific ports
5. For testing, you can temporarily disable the firewall to see if it's blocking
6. Re-enable firewall after testing and create proper rules

Verify the fix worked:

1. On the workstation, ping the server again using computer name
2. It should now resolve to the correct IP address
3. Open QuickBooks on the workstation
4. Navigate to the company file (via network path or mapped drive)
5. Open the file - it should open without H303 error
6. Test basic operations to ensure proper connectivity