# Resolving QuickBooks Web Connector Error Company File is Locked by Another client
#### Summary
This article provides steps to troubleshoot and resolve the QuickBooks Web Connector error:
```
Update aborted. The company file is locked by another client.
```
This issue typically occurs in environments where QuickBooks is hosted on a shared or remote server, such as Right Networks, Intuit Cloud, or Cloud9.
#### Problem
Users receive the following error in QuickBooks Web Connector (QBWC):
```
Update aborted. The company file is locked by another client.
```
This prevents the sync process from completing successfully.
#### Applies To
* **Product/Service**: DBSync, QuickBooks Web Connector (QBWC)
* **Versions**: All versions of QuickBooks and Web Connector
* **Operating Systems**: Windows Server environments
* **Hosting Platforms**: Right Networks, Intuit Cloud or any other remote QuickBooks hosting provider
* **Applies To**: Multi-user QuickBooks environments
#### Solution
**Prerequisites:**
* Admin access to the QuickBooks company file
* Access to the hosting environment (if applicable)
* All users notified to log out of QuickBooks
**Steps:**
1. Log Off All Users
* Instruct all bookkeepers or QuickBooks users to log off from QuickBooks on all devices.
* Confirm that QuickBooks is not running in the background (e.g., using Task Manager to end qbw32.exe if necessary).
2. Restart QuickBooks on the Host
* Restart the QuickBooks application on the server or remote desktop environment.
* If hosted (e.g., by Right Networks or Intuit Cloud), ensure the hosting provider fully restarts the QuickBooks session.
3. Log In as Admin in Single-User Mode
* Launch QuickBooks.
* Log in as Admin and switch to Single-User Mode.
* Launch QuickBooks Web Connector and attempt to sync 2–3 times manually.
4. Switch Back to Multi-User Mode
* Once the sync completes successfully, switch QuickBooks to Multi-User Mode.
* All users can now log back in and resume work as usual.
#### Workaround (If Applicable)
If users were auto-logged out by the Windows Server (common in hosted environments), Windows may still retain a file lock. In such cases:
* Wait 30 to 60 minutes for Windows to automatically release the file lock.
* Then repeat the steps above.
#### Root Cause
The error occurs when the QuickBooks company file is in use in a way that prevents other applications (like QBWC) from accessing it.
Common causes include:
* A user working in Single-User Mode.
* A system session being auto-logged out while QuickBooks was open.
* Stale file locks left behind by closed or disconnected sessions on hosted environments.
#### Additional Information / Related Articles
* [QuickBooks Web Connector Setup Guide (External)](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/)
* \[DBSync QuickBooks Connector Configuration Guide (KB-0021)]
* [Troubleshooting Multi-User Mode Issues in QuickBooks (Intuit Support)](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/)
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