What to Do When Windows Firewall is Blocking QuickBooks?

Windows Firewall is a system security application that controls the existing and incoming ports on your system to verify the incoming and outgoing data. This way, it keeps your system protected from unwanted and unverified threats, malware, and other cyber threats. If an application such as QuickBooks Desktop is considered a threat to your computer, you will be unable to run any software.

Explore this detailed guide to learn what you can do when Windows Firewall is blocking QuickBooks Desktop, how to create port exceptions for the software programs, and more.

How to Resolve the Windows Firewall is Blocking QuickBooks Issue?

If your QuickBooks Desktop isn’t working due to common reasons, try running the QuickBooks File Doctor to resolve the issue. However, if you are sure that Windows Firewall is blocking QuickBooks in Windows 11 or other OS, proceed with the steps below to unblock or create an exception for the program.

Run QuickBooks File Doctor

QuickBooks File Doctor verifies company file and network connectivity, then performs quick repairs on them to resolve issues.

Note: Download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub to the latest release (1.6.0.8) to access QuickBooks File Doctor.

• Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.

• In the left menu bar, click on Company File Issues.

• Hit on Run QuickBooks File Doctor. The tool can take a minute a more for the file doctor to open.

  Note: If the QuickBooks File Doctor doesn’t open, look for the QuickBooks Desktop File Doc and open the tool manually.

• Choose your company file from the drop-down in QuickBooks File Doctor. If you cannot find the company file, click Browse and search for the same.

• Hit on Check your file and network and then Continue.

• Enter the QuickBooks admin password to allow the access and click Next.

QuickBooks File Doctor can take a while to scan the company file, depending on its size. Usually, it takes up to 5 minutes. Once done, open QuickBooks, then open your company file. The scan may even say it was unsuccessful even after fixing the issue.

Add Firewall Port Exception for QuickBooks

If you use multiple versions (years) of QuickBooks Desktop on the same computer, perform the below steps for each of QB version:

• Launch the Windows Start menu.

• In the search field, type Windows Firewall and press Enter to open Windows Firewall.

• Click on Advanced Settings.

• Right-click on the Inbound Rules, then select New Rule.

• Choose Port and click on Next.

• Make sure the rule type is selected as TCP.

• Enter the specific ports required for your QuickBooks year version in the Specific local ports field:

  – QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later: 8019, XXXXX.

  – QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.

  – QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.

  – QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377.

  Important: QuickBooks Desktop 2019, 2020, and later versions use dynamic ports. These are unique firewall ports assigned during installation, ensuring QuickBooks Desktop has exclusive access to each specific port.

• To get the dynamic port number.

  – Launch the Windows Start menu.

  – in the search field, type “QuickBooks Database Server Manager” and open QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

  – Navigate to Port Monitor tab.

• – Look for the QuickBooks version you use. Note down the Port Number. We will use to create firewall port exceptions.

  – Remember that, you can change the assigned dynamic port number by selecting Renew. If you do so, go to the Scan Folders tab and click on Scan Now to reset the Windows Firewall permissions. Keep in mind, you can only renew ports for QuickBooks Desktop 2019 and later versions. You cannot renew ports for older versions of QuickBooks.

• Enter the port number and click Next.

• Choose Allow the Connection, then click Next.

• If prompted, ensure all profiles are selected, then click Next.

• Create a rule and name it something like “QBPorts(year).”

• When finished, click Finish.

• Repeat the process to create outbound rules, following the same steps but selecting Outbound Rules in step 4.

Launch QuickBooks Desktop and switch to multi-user mode. You can also access QuickBooks from a host computer over the network. If issues persist or error messages appear, proceed to Step 2.

Create Windows Firewall Exceptions for QuickBooks Programs

QuickBooks Desktop uses executable files (.exe) to perform various tasks. You will need to create exceptions for each of the executable files mentioned below. Here’s how:

• Launch the Windows Start menu.

• In the Windows search, type Windows Firewall and press Enter to open it.

• Go to Advanced Settings.

• Right-click on the Inbound Rules and select New Rule.

• Select Program and click on Next.

• Choose This Program Path and click on Browse.

• Look for the executable files in the below table and select to create an exceptions. Then, click Next.

• Choose Allow the Connection and click Next.

• When prompted, make sure all the profiles are marked and click Next.

• Finally, create this rule and name it as “QBFirewallException(name.exe).”

• Repeat the above steps and also create outbound rule for the same program file. Follow the same steps, except select Outbound Rules on step 4.

Note: If Program Files shows (x86), it simply means you are using a 64-bit operating system.

Launch QuickBooks Desktop and try running the software again. If Windows Firewall is still blocking it, it’s recommended to contact a specialist.

Conclusion

We’ve reached the end of our blog covering the detailed steps to take when Windows Firewall is blocking Quickbooks. We hope these steps have helped you create exceptions, allowing QuickBooks to run smoothly on your computer. Following these steps will ensure seamless software performance.

For further assistance, contact QB experts at QuickBookSupportNet. Dial our +1-866-500-0076 now!

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