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How to Turn on Hosting Mode in Quickbooks?

 If you’re working in a multi-user QuickBooks environment, hosting mode is the key to enabling smooth collaboration. But if you’ve recently seen the error “QuickBooks hosting mode is off”, you’re not alone — it’s a common issue that can prevent your team from accessing and updating company files in real-time.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what QuickBooks hosting mode is, why it’s essential, and step-by-step instructions to turn it on so your team can get back to business without delays.

What Is QuickBooks Hosting Mode?

In QuickBooks Desktop, hosting mode allows multiple users to access the same company file simultaneously over a network. This is crucial for accounting teams that need to work together without creating conflicting copies of data.

When hosting mode is enabled on the server computer, QuickBooks Database Server Manager facilitates the sharing of your company file with other workstations. If hosting is disabled, users will receive messages like “QuickBooks hosting mode is off”, meaning they can’t collaborate in multi-user mode.

Why Is Hosting Mode Important?

Without hosting mode:

  • Only one user can open and edit the company file at a time.

  • Other team members will be locked out until it’s closed.

  • Collaboration becomes slow and error-prone.

With hosting mode:

  • Multiple users can log in at the same time.

  • Updates happen in real-time.

  • Productivity improves significantly.

When Do You See “QuickBooks Hosting Mode Is Off”?

This message usually appears when:

  1. Hosting mode was accidentally turned off on the server computer.

  2. QuickBooks Database Server Manager is not running properly.

  3. Network configuration changed (e.g., IP address updates or firewall changes).

  4. You’ve moved the company file to a different location without updating settings.

How to Turn On Hosting Mode in QuickBooks

Here’s how to fix it step-by-step:

Step 1: Log in to the Server Computer

  • The server computer is the one that stores your QuickBooks company file.

  • Ensure you have Admin rights before making changes.

Step 2: Open QuickBooks Desktop

  • Launch QuickBooks on the server computer (not a workstation).

Step 3: Access Hosting Settings

  1. Go to the File menu.

  2. Select Utilities.

  3. Look for one of the following options:

    • Host Multi-User Access — Click this if you want to turn hosting mode ON.

    • Stop Hosting Multi-User Access — If you see this, it means hosting is already ON.

Step 4: Enable Hosting

  • If you see Host Multi-User Access, select it and confirm your choice.

  • QuickBooks will now activate hosting mode, allowing other users to connect.

Check QuickBooks Database Server Manager

Even if hosting mode is turned on, you might still get “QuickBooks hosting mode is off” if the Database Server Manager isn’t working properly.

To check:

  1. Open the Windows Start menu.

  2. Search for QuickBooks Database Server Manager and open it.

  3. Ensure it’s scanning the correct folder where your company file is stored.

  4. If needed, restart the QuickBooksDBXX service (XX = your QuickBooks version year).

Verify Multi-User Setup

After enabling hosting mode:

  • Go to File > Switch to Multi-User Mode on the server.

  • Ask other team members to log in from their workstations.

  • Confirm everyone can access the company file without errors.

Best Practices to Keep Hosting Mode Running Smoothly

  • Always enable hosting only on the server computer — never on workstations.

  • Keep QuickBooks updated to the latest release.

  • Configure firewall and antivirus settings to allow QuickBooks network ports.

  • Back up your company file regularly to prevent data loss.

Conclusion

If you see the message “QuickBooks hosting mode is off”, it usually means your server computer isn’t set to share the company file for multi-user access. Turning it back on is simple — just enable Host Multi-User Access from the File menu and make sure your Database Server Manager is running properly.

Once hosting mode is active, your team can collaborate in real-time, boost productivity, and keep your accounting operations running smoothly.

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