How to Troubleshoot QuickBooks POS Not Connecting to Server

Point of Sale is useful but it is not an easy application as it throws errors that are hard to understand not only for a beginner but for an expert as well. QuickBooks POS not connecting to server is one such error where you being a client cannot do much about it.

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Reason for QuickBooks POS Being Unable to Connect to the Server

System Requirements: Your computer doesn’t meet the system requirements for QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale.
Corrupted Company File: The company file you’re trying to access may be damaged.
Server Not Found: The workstation can’t find the server on the network.
Incorrect Security Settings: Windows security settings are set to be too high.
Installation Issues: The QuickBooks Point of Sale installation could be damaged.

How to Fix QuickBooks POS Not Connecting to Server

Usually, rebooting the client system will fix the problem. In case the problem persists and you face a QuickBooks POS not connecting to the server issue.

Method 1: Clear the entitlement client folder

Step 1: Open Windows Explorer and go to C:\Program Data\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8.
Step 2: Press Ctrl + A to select all the files in that folder, then press Delete.
Step 3: Confirm by clicking Yes.
Step 4: Once done, restart QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale and re-register the application.

Method 2: Display Hidden Files and Folders

Step 1: Users will have to go to the C:\Program Data\Intuit\ QuickBooks Point of Sale XX\Ini in Windows Explorer.
Step 2: Find the file named WSActivity, right-click it, and select Rename.
Step 3: Change the name to OLDWSActivity and press Enter.
Step 4: Close the window, and then reopen QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale.

Method 3: Reboot the server and client workstation

On the client, the workstation closes the POS application.
Then Reboot the server workstation.
Once the second computer is rebooted completely, reboot the client workstation.
Restart the POS application on the client workstation.
Check for the connection to the POS data file automatically on the server workstation.

Method 4: Download security certificate

For the users of QuickBooks Point of Sale merchant account services who encounter this error.

Exit the Point of Sale on all workstations
Download a replacement certificate
When you get a prompt -> Click Open -> Run
Choose Overwrite files without prompting
Click Unzip -> Click OK -> Click Close
Open Point of Sale again.

Method 5: Set up a server in multi-user mode

Open the QuickBooks Point of Sale application.
After that click on the File menu.
Click on Switch Company File to Multi-User Mode.
Now, Restart the QuickBooks POS.

It’s very likely that even after following the steps above, you may face issues like QuickBooks POS not connecting to the server error. If such a thing continues to persist then your last resort will be to connect with a QuickBooks Point of Sale consultant. QuickBooks Experts on the other end of the phone will help you get things sorted in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my QuickBooks POS not connecting to the server?

Your QuickBooks POS is not connecting to the server due to issues like a computer not meeting system requirements, a damaged company file, network issues, or high Windows security settings.

What should I do if QuickBooks POS is not connecting to the server?

You should clear the Entitlement Client folder, relaunch QuickBooks POS, and re-register the application if you are facing QuickBooks POS not connecting to the server. Apart from this, you can also rename the WSActivity file in the QuickBooks Point of Sale folder and restart the application to avoid facing this error.

Can the hosting services responsible for QuickBooks POS Client not Connect to the Server? If yes then how to validate those services?

Turn off the Hosting on your all workstations
● Go to the File menu >> Utilities
● Click “Stop Hosting Multi-User Access”
● Hit “Yes” to make confirmation once you see “Host Multi-User Access” instead of “Stop Hosting Multi-User Access.

Can the QBPOS Connectivity Tool help me fix the QuickBooks POS Client Cannot Connect to Server issue?

Yes, QuickBooks POS client cannot connect to the server error is related to server connectivity. QuickBooks Desktop POS Connectivity tool helps you identify such issues. It also helps you to fix several other issues like third-party Firewall restrictions issues, issues that prevent POS from launching, network connectivity issues, and more.

Is the configuration of the Firewall troubleshooting the QuickBooks POS Client Cannot Connect to Server issue?

yes, A third-party Firewall is one of the reasons behind the occurrence of this error so you can try to resolve it by configuring the Firewall.

● Press the Windows + R keys >> Control Panel >> Windows Firewall >> Advanced Settings >> Inbound Rule >> New Rule >> Port >> Next >> Allow Connection >> Firewall Rule >> Finish.

What are the primary causes why QuickBooks POS Clients cannot connect to the remote server?

A third-party firewall is installed on the network, and the server connection is lost or might not be properly set up are a few primary causes. It can also happen when QuickBooks Database Server Manager (QBDSM) is unable to run on the server because of the bad condition of the server.

QuickBooks POS Not Connecting to Server