Windows Firewall Is Blocking QuickBooks – How to Configure Settings?

Client Issue: I’m using QuickBooks 2018 on Server 2012 R2 & getting multi-user mode error. It keeps popping up message “firewall is blocking QuickBooks”, seems firewall exceptions are wrong. Please advise me.

There are times when users face issues accessing company files or carrying out other operations in QuickBooks. The most common cause is that Windows Firewall is blocking QuickBooks access to the internet for specific QuickBooks files. The antivirus program may also be the culprit.

Know how to updating firewall to the latest release, follow the approaches described below to fix the issue when firewall blocks Internet access:

Approach 1 (Automatic Procedure)

You can carry out this automatic process to fix the firewall block issue

• Launch QuickBooks and run QuickBooks file doctor.
• It will open firewall ports and it will also configure the Windows firewall.
• If you do not have QuickBooks File doctor you can download it from Intuit website. 

The above method should take care of your problem.

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Approach 2 (Manual Procedure)

You can use the manual approach to overcome firewall blocks this way.

• Launch QuickBooks database server manager and click on port monitor tab and note down the port number.

Configure Firewall and Internet Security Settings for QuickBooks Desktop

STEP 1:

STEP 2:

STEP 3:

STEP 4:

STEP 5:

• Now launch Windows firewall and click on advanced setting.
• Right click on inbound rules and click on the new rule and then select port and click on next.
• Select TCP if it is not selected
• You will need to select specific ports according to the version of QuickBooks desktop you have installed on your system. These are the various ports for various versions

QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX
QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382
QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377
QuickBooks Desktop 2016: 8019, 56726, 55368-55372

• Click to allow connection and then click on next.
• Make sure all profiles are selected and click on next
• Give a name for the rule and click on finish.
• Do the same for outbound rules. 

Run QuickBooks in multi user mode on your network. The issue should be fixed. 

Approach 3 (Firewall Exceptions Procedure)

You can add QuickBooks exceptions to the firewall.

• Launch Windows Firewall from the control panel and click on advanced settings and then right click on inbound rules and select new rule
• Select program and click on next and select this program path next followed by a browse
• Go to the file location and click next and then click allow the connection and the next
• Make sure all profiles are selected and click on next and give the rule a name.
• Repeat the process for outbound rules 

This should fix the problem but if antivirus is blocking QuickBooks you can try the next approach. 

Approach 4 (Anti-virus Software Exceptions Procedure)

Launch your anti-virus program to find out if it is preventing QuickBooks from accessing the internet. Disable the block and it should work. 

You will need to add following files to Firewall and antivirus exceptions: 

• Autobackupexe.exe
• Dbmlsync.exe
• Filemanagement.exe
• DBManagerexe.exe
• Filemovementexe.exe
• QuickBooksmessaging.exe
• QBW32.exe
• QBDBMGRN.Exe
• Qbserverutilitymgr.exe
• QBGDSPlugin.exe
• Qblaunch.exe
• QBCFmonitorservice.exe
• Intuitsyncmanager.exe
• QBUpdate.exe
• Onlinebackup.exe 

The above steps should hopefully resolve your issue of firewall blocking QuickBooks.

However, even if these do not work then you are free to give us a call and our experts will take it in hand and solve the problem for you.

Other Issues to Check Are: QuickBooks Activation Not Working - How to Resolve? & Need Support QuickBooks Update Error 12007 - What to Do to Troubleshoot.