In this article you will learn how to set your Windows firewall and security settings for QuickBooks Desktop. To know more, contact QuickBooks Support.
You will see an error message if your Windows firewall blocks internet access for specific QuickBooks programs or files. Fret not. We’ll help you in setting up your firewall, and in case you need to configure your firewall settings manually.
Please note: Download QuickBooks Tool Hub and run QuickBooks File Doctor before you begin with the steps. With the help of QuickBooks File Doctor you can automatically open your ports.
Step 1: Manually configuring firewall
- You can set things up manually if QuickBooks File Doctor didn’t fix your firewall issue.
- For QuickBooks, add Firewall port exception
- Perform the steps given below for each version if you use multiple versions (years) of QuickBooks Desktop on the same computer:
- Open the Windows Start menu on your desktop.
- Into the search, enter “Windows Firewall” and then open Windows Firewall.
- Click on Advanced Settings.
- Right-click on the Inbound Rules ( you’ll create Outbound Rules later on). Now, choose New Rule.
- Click on Port and then choose Next.
- Ensure that TCP is selected.
- Enter the specific ports in the Specific local ports field required for your QuickBooks year version:
- QuickBooks Desktop 2020: 8019, XXXXX.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377.
- Please note: Dynamic ports are used by QuickBooks Desktop 2019, 2020, and future versions. During installation, these are specific firewall ports (not a range) assigned. This also makes sure that your QuickBooks Desktop gets exclusive use of a given port.
- XXXXX. XXXXX is the dynamic port number for QuickBooks Desktop 2019 and later versions and the port format is 8019.
Find steps below to get the dynamic port number:
- Open the Windows Start menu in your desktop.
- Into the search bar, enter “QuickBooks Database Server Manager” and then open your QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
- In the Port Monitor tab, find your QuickBooks version.
- Note your Port Number. This port number will be used for your firewall port exception.
- Remember, by selecting Renew, you can change the assigned port number. Go to the Scan Folders tab and then click on Scan Now. By doing this you reset the firewall permissions. Only, ports for Desktop 2019 and later versions can only be renewed and ports for older versions of QuickBooks cannot be renewed.
- Static ports are used by QuickBooks Desktop 2018 and older versions and their port numbers are set already.
- Select Next after you enter the port number.
- Click on Allow the Connection and then click on Next.
- Make sure all profiles are marked if you are prompted. Click on Next.
- You can create a rule and name it “QBPorts(year).”
- Select Finish when you’re done.
- Repeat the steps given above and then create the outbound rules. Follow the same steps again, except for step 4 select Outbound Rules.
- Open your QuickBooks Desktop and then switch to the multi-user mode. From one of the host computers, you can also open QuickBooks over your network. Move on to Step 2 if you still see issues or error messages
- For QuickBooks programs, create Windows firewall exceptions
- To perform various tasks QuickBooks uses executable files (.exe).
- For each file on the table follow these steps to create exceptions:
- Open the Windows Start menu in your QuickBooks .
- Into the search bar, enter “Windows Firewall” and then open Windows Firewall.
- Click on Advanced Settings.
- Right-click on the Inbound Rules (you’ll create Outbound Rules later on). Now, click on New Rule.
- Click on Program and then select Next.
- Click on the Program Path and then Browse.
- On the chart above, find and select one of the executable files. Now, click on Next.
- Click on Allow the Connection and then select Next.
- Ensure that all profiles are marked if prompted. Click on Next.
- You can create a rule and name it “QBFirewallException(name.exe).”
- Repeat the steps and create outbound rules. Select Outbound Rules on step 4 and follow all the same steps .
- Please Note: You are using a 64-bit Operating system if you see Program Files (x86).
- Open your QuickBooks Desktop and move to a multi-user mode. Move on to the next section and set your antivirus settings if you still see issues or error messages.
How to set your anti-virus or firewall programs?
- Check your antivirus settings if you configured your firewall but still have issues.
- Ensure that your QuickBooks have general permissions so that you do not get blocked during the process. From program to program, steps vary. Contact us to know how to set up permissions for your antivirus software if you’re a Norton or McAfee user.
How to add QuickBooks ports exception on your antivirus or firewall?
- Add port exceptions for these specific if you are still seeing errors or facing problems in opening your file over a network or in the Multi-user mode.
- Ensure that TCP is selected and has entered the required ports for your QuickBooks version (year). The port numbers are mentioned in “Step 1: Configure firewall manually.”
- You need to add each year’s ports if you have multiple versions (years) of QuickBooks Desktop
Step 2: Restarting your computer
For the changes to be saved, some programs require you to restart your computer. Restart your computer and reopen QuickBooks once you’ve finished configuring the firewall.
To know more on how to set your Windows firewall and security settings for QuickBooks Desktop, call on our QuickBooks support USA number. You can also write to us at support@quickbooksupport.net . For more information visit – www.quickbooksupport.net.