Skip to content

Easy Ways to Fix QuickBooks Mapped Drive Not Showing

QuickBooks Mapped Drive Not Showing

Reasons for QuickBooks not showing mapped drives are Security software blocking connection to the company files, Folder permissions aren’t configured properly, Issues with server or workstations, Problems with network connection & Multi-user mode not being configured properly

Error: QuickBooks mapped drive not showing

When QuickBooks mapped drive doesn’t show up, users cannot access the company file stored on a separate server or system. Even though you may have set up the cloud hosting perfectly and enabled multi-user mode, you may still encounter such errors because of several other reasons. One reason is the firewall in Windows.

The default firewall software notoriously blocks communication from QuickBooks desktop when a company file is hosted on a separate server. That’s why users often have to create custom firewall rules to get through this problem.

If QuickBooks mapped drive is not visible to certain or all users, then the location of the company file may have been changed but not updated in the database server manager, which keeps track of the location and changes in the company files. You may also have to repair the program files that are related to QuickBooks desktop so that QuickBooks desktop can function properly on your system. We’ll also tell you the steps to correctly configure your firewall.

In this post, you’ll learn how to fix QuickbOoks mapped drives not showing errors.

What exactly is a Mapped Drive?

A mapped drive is nothing more than a shortcut to an industry that is on another computer. All files in the mapped drive are physically stored on a different computer, but this shortcut appears to be a shortcut to a local hard drive (like the C drive) and is given its drive letter.

It works similarly to a desktop shortcut, such as the one to open a picture file in the Pictures folder, but it accesses content from a different computer. Mapped drives can be used to access files on websites or FTP servers, as well as resources on various computers connected to the local network. Mapped Network Drives come in handy when you need to connect to a drive on a different computer or external storage. It facilitates file access. However, if your mapped network drives don’t work in Windows 11/10, it’s a major issue.

Windows notifies users of its unavailability in a variety of ways. It could be a red X that appears on network drives or a message that says unavailable when used from the command prompt or via a notification. If the network drive takes longer than usual to connect, we recommend running a few scripts when you log in to your computer.

Why is my network drive mapped but not visible in Windows?

Several factors could be to blame for this error on a Windows 11/10 PC. For example, if you require network access at logon but do not provide it, you will be unable to access your network drive. However, if you have changed the Group Policy settings incorrectly, you may be unable to access your network drive. Similarly, Registry Editor could cause the same issue on your computer.

Why is the QuickBooks mapped drive not showing?

In most cases, the Quickbooks mapped drive is not visible because the connection between QuickBooks and Windows is being blocked by security software such as a Windows firewall. Changing the location of the company file without updating the location in the database server manager can also cause this error.

Note: you’ll require admin rights to work through most of the solutions offered below.

Solution steps to fix QuickBooks mapped drive not showing

If the QuickBooks mapped drive isn’t visible for one or multiple users, then you can try a variety of solutions to deal with separate issues that may be causing the error. Unluckily, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact solution that works for you. So go through each solution in the order they’re provided.

Note: before beginning with the steps provided below, please make sure that you’re trying to open a . QBW file with QuickBooks. Other extensions aren’t compatible with this software, so if you accidentally changed the extension while renaming the company file, then fix the file type first.

Total Time: 20 minutes

Step 1: Set firewall rules

Set firewall rules

If you get the error: cannot communicate with the company file due to a firewall, then you need to create custom firewall rules so that you can access the company file on the mapped drive. Before you begin, update QuickBooks and Windows.

Follow these steps to create custom firewall rules for QuickBooks desktop:

💠 Go to the Start menu.
💠 Type in, then click on Windows Firewall.
💠 Click on Advanced Settings, then Inbound Rules from the left panel.
💠 Click on New Rules in the right panel.
💠 Click on Port, then Next.
💠 After selecting TCP, enter the ports specific to your version of QuickBooks desktop. Our accounting experts can help you to find the same.
💠 Click on Next, then Allow the Connection, then Next again.
💠 Mark all the profiles, then choose Next.
💠 Enter the name and description for this new firewall rule.
💠 Click on Finish.

In addition to a new inbound rule, you must also create a new outbound rule so that the connection isn’t interrupted by a firewall. You’ll have to follow similar steps after you’re selected outbound rules from the left panel.

Note: if you’ve another security software that has permission to block network connection, then you should disable it before you check the resolution of the error.

Step 2: Alter Folder Permissions In Windows

Alter Folder Permissions In Windows

If QuickBooks does not have the right level of permission to access the company file, then you won’t be able to view the mapped drives. For QuickBooks to show the mapped drives, you can configure folder permissions in Windows.

Here are the steps to set permissions for folder and file access in Windows:

💠 Go to the Start menu.
💠 Choose File Explorer, then go to the folder containing the company file.
💠 Click on Properties.
💠 In the Sharing tab, click on Share Add.
💠 Choose QBDataServiceUserXX, where XX stands for the version of your QuickBooks desktop.
💠 Choose Full Control as the permission level.
💠 Select Share.

If, however, you’re using windows server 2012, then here are the steps to make mapped drives visible in QuickBooks by configuring the folder and file permissions:

💠 Right-click on the Start menu, and choose Run.
💠 Enter ServerManager.
💠 Click on Ok to run the command.
💠 Go to File and Storage Services.
💠 Choose Shares.
💠 Click on the Task drop-down menu, then select New Share. Here you can view all the file share profiles. To view the differences between any two profiles, you can read their descriptions.
💠 Click on SMB SHare – Quick.
💠 Click on Share Location.
💠 Click on Type a custom path, then Browse.
💠 Once you’ve located the folder, click on Select a Folder, then Next.

You’ve configured the folder permissions in your Windows operating system. So now you should be able to view the mapped drives unless the problem is with the program files related to the QuickBooks desktop.

Step 3: Switch off hosting on all connected workstations

Switch off hosting on all connected workstations

If you’ve hosted a company file and are using it in multi-user mode, then you will find these steps helpful. But if the company file isn’t hosted, then you can skip this solution and proceed to the next one directly.

To begin, we’re going to turn off the multi-user mode on each workstation so that we can disconnect all workstations from the server.

If QuickBooks Mapped Drive Not Showing, then follow these steps to disconnect all workstations:

💠 Lunch QuickBooks desktop on each workstation.
💠 Rather than launch a company file, go to the File menu, then choose Utilities.
💠 Click on Stop Hosting Multi-user Access.

Note: you need to repeat these steps on all the workstations connected to the server.

Once you’ve disconnected all of the workstations, you need to go to the server computer and perform these steps to make mapped drives visible in QuickBooks:

💠 Launch QuickBooks desktop on your server computer.
💠 Click on File, then Utilities.
💠 Click on Host Multi-user Access.
💠 Click on Stop Multi-user Access
💠 Repeat these steps and choose Host Multi-user access.

You’ve successfully reset all of the settings in QuickBooks desktop so that you can easily work with the program. You should now be able to connect your workstations with the company file and view the mapped drives on Quickbooks desktop.

Step 4: Change the location of your company file

Change the location of your company file

If the location of your company file isn’t accessible for some particular reason, then QuickBooks desktop will not show mapped drives.

To move your company file to a different folder, follow the steps given below:

💠 Click on Start, then File Explorer.
💠 Go to the Folder containing your Company File.
💠 Right-click on the Company File, and choose Copy.
💠 Go to a separate directory and right-click, then choose Paste.
💠 Launch QuickBooks desktop.
💠 Go to File, then select Open or Restore company.
💠 Choose the new company of the company file, then choose Open.

You’ve successfully moved the company file to a new location so that the QuickBooks desktop can access it and view the mapped drives.

Fix: Mapped Network Drives are Not Displaying in Windows 10:

Just like local disks, mapped drives make it simple to access network folders and files. Although convenient most of the time, there are a few mistakes. You must use the following techniques to correct these errors:

1] Fix File Explorer not displaying the Network Drive:

Microsoft gives users advice on which authorization method to use for applications: system file authorization or hard drive authorization. This helps guard against malicious software harming the system.

The UAC and Shell cannot see a mapped drive configured by a program running with administrative rights because those programs’ permissions are default. You will therefore receive an error stating that the mapped network drive is not visible in the application. To fix the problem, take these actions:

  1. Enable the Network Driver for Linked Connections
  2. Select Start by clicking it. Register Edit > Enter will launch Registry Editor.
  3. Find the registry subkey, then right-click it.
  •    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
  • Right-click the space and choose “New” On the DWORD Type EnableLinkedConnections tab, click. Right-click EnableLinkedConnections and select Within the value data box, select Type 1 > Select OK.
  • Leave the Registry Editor Launch the computer again.
  • The user is then able to type other UAC policies as well as “Administrator in Admin Approval Mode”. Now verify that the problem has been resolved.
  • Furthermore, by using two workarounds, Windows will be able to detect a network drive connection and display it in the network drive location.

2] Setup SMB and a proxy:

If the above-mentioned approach does not work, you could try the following two approaches to help Windows recognize the network drive more accurately:

  • Set the Network Proxy Settings
  • Activate the SMB Features

In Windows 11, configure the Network Proxy Settings as follows:

  • Setup the Network proxy Windows.
  • Navigate to Network & Internet > Proxy.  You can add a script here to manually configure the proxy so that it can be easily managed.

In Windows 10, configure the Network Proxy Settings as follows:

  • To open the Settings window, press Windows + I > Select Network & Internet.
  • In the status bar, click Change adapter options.
  • Select Properties by right-clicking on the Ethernet.
  • In the Networking tab, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties.
  • Ensure that “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically” are selected in the pop-up window.
  • Go back to the Status tab and select Sharing under Adapter options to change.
  • Make sure the Network discovery section is turned on by expanding the Private section in the new Window, and then click Save Changes.

Activate SMB Features:

  • Open it by typing “Programs and features” into the search box.
  • Select Turn Windows features on or off from the left pane. All of Windows’ features are displayed in a small window that will open.
  • To find the features that began with, scroll down. You must confirm that this page’s SMB folders were checked. Select OK.
  • Restart your computer.

3] Make persistently mapped drives:

Any mapped drive’s default setting is that it will not reconnect automatically when the computer restarts. You can use the Persistent switch in Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or Command Prompt to make them ready as soon as you log in.

4] Network Drives: Not all Folders/Files are Displayed:

Hidden files, folders, and subfolders will be inaccessible to the user. The files and folders on the NAS drives, including the mapped network drive and network drive, are not displayed normally because they were hidden. To resolve the NAS drive not appearing on the network Windows 10 issue, perform the following steps:

  • Navigate to the File Explorer window.
  • Select the View option.
  • Check the box next to Hidden items.

5] Resolve Network Problems

Network issues can arise at times. It will not appear if you are unable to connect to the network where the drives are located.

These methods will assist you in resolving the mapped network drives that are not visible on Windows 11/10.

In Windows, how do you map a network drive?

  • Simply press the Windows icon on your keyboard.
  • In the search bar, type This PC. Select This PC from the search results.
  • Select Map a network drive from the Computer tab.
  • Select Browse, then any unused drive letter.
  • Navigate to the network location where you keep your QuickBooks company file.

Note: If mapping the network drive with the UNC fails, try using the server’s IP address.

  • Choose OK, then Finish.
  • Return to your QuickBooks company file and open it from the newly mapped drive.

Conclusion

QuickBooks mapped drive not showing can lead to serious problems when you’re working in multi-user mode. The error prevents you from accessing the company file that is stored on a separate server, so you need to resolve the error before you can begin working on your accounting data. We hope that these solutions helped you get through this error.


FAQs


  1. Should I repair the program if the QuickBooks mapped drive is not showing?

    If mapped drives aren’t available in QuickBooks, then repairing the program files may help you resolve the error. However, it may be better to rely on utilities such as QuickBooks tool hub before you proceed to repair the files. Sometimes the error isn’t with the program files but with the company file. So it’s essential to first diagnose the problem that is causing the error, and then perform steps to resolve it.

  2. Why should I replace the ND files if mapped drives aren’t visible in QuickBooks?

    The ND files contain the list of the latest company files you accessed on your system. It stores the location of these files. However, when the ND file has a wrong location stored in it and updating the location doesn’t alter the location of the company file in the ND file, then you’re likely to get an error. So by renaming the ND file, you can preserve the old one while QuickBooks creates a new one for you so that the new location can be used without the mapped drives error.

  3. Can my security software cause QUickBooks to now show mapped drives?

    Yes, it can. Security software, even the inbuilt ones, can interfere with a network connection to protect your system from malicious interference. But sometimes they end up blocking connections that are both secure and required for accessing a particular program. In such cases, you can create new rules or get in touch with the provider of the security software to get a resolution.

  4. In Windows 11, how do I enable mapped drives?

    To enable mapped drives in Windows 11, open File Explorer, click the three-dotted icon, and then choose Map network drive. Then, by clicking the Browse button, select the network drive. After that, you can follow the on-screen instructions and click the Finish button.

  5. How does QuickBooks map a network drive?

    The Map a network drive option is found under the Computer tab. Choose Browse after selecting a free drive letter. The network location where your QuickBooks company file is kept can be found there. (Note: Try using the server’s IP address instead of the UNC if you’re having trouble mapping the network drive.) Go to Finish after selecting OK.

  6. Is a mapped drive compatible with QuickBooks hosting?

    If you use QuickBooks Hosting, speak with the cloud administrator about any issues you may be having with the mapped drive. In this situation, you can create a fresh network drive mapping and access the company file on a PC similar to the one you’ve been working with for QuickBooks.

  7. In QuickBooks, how do I locate an unused network drive?

    💠 Go to the network drive to get the map.
    💠 A new window will appear on the screen.
    💠 The user should then select the drive by checking the box next to it.
    💠 Now, from the drop-down menu, select the unused drive.
    💠 Then, click the browse button and navigate to the network location.
    💠 Keep track of the network location where your QuickBooks files are stored.

Was this worth your time?

This helps us sort answers on the page.

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Speak to A Specialist about QuickBooks Software

Headache🥺. Huh, Save time & money with QuickBooks Support 24×7 @ +1/, we provide assistance to those who face problems while using QuickBooks (Support all U.S. & Canada Editions)

--- Support - We provide solutions for the following QuickBooks (Pro, Premier, Accountant, Enterprise, Payroll, Cloud) ---

  • Error Support
  • Data Import
  • Data Conversion
  • Payment Solutions
  • Upgradation
  • Payroll Support
  • Data Export
  • Software Integration
  • QuickBooks Printer Support
  • Complete QuickBooks Solutions
  • Tax-Related Issues
  • Data Damage Recovery
  • Installation, Activation Help
  • QuickBooks Windows Support

quickbooks hvac service software, quickbooks online appointment scheduler, quickbooks invoice financing, quickbooks report payments received, quickbooks backup failed, quickbooks online bank reconciliation, quickbooks enterprise, quickbooks enterprise solutions, quickbooks pos software, quickbooks payroll service


Disclaimer : We are a third party agency working on providing authentic support and full fledged services for for accounting software QuickBooks 2018 version. It is one of… Read more

Phone

+1800-892-1352

Bigxperts Tollfree Number
Toll Free: 800-892-1352 user