Business Accounting

How to Keep Operating When QuickBooks Online is Down

2018-10-03 | by Gene B. Reynolds, CPA

QuickBooks Online (QBO) is the preferred method to keep track of your business activity for accounting purposes. However, there may be times when QuickBooks Online is down, will not load properly, or is not performing the tasks you expect.

While those downtimes can be frustrating, especially if you are trying to accomplish several tasks in a short period of time or if you are in the middle of a work session, they can be managed.

What Does QuickBooks Recommend?

Because QuickBooks Online lives online, there will be times when their software does not interact properly with your Internet browser. QuickBooks recommends three options to help you get back up and running.

• Preemptive option: Clear your web browser’s cache once per week. This will free up enough space to ensure that QBO runs smoothly.
• Diagnostic option: Make sure your web browser is updated to the latest version — whether Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, or whichever browser you use.
• Alternative option: Try using your web browser in private mode or opening a private/incognito window to test functionality.

If QuickBooks Online is still down after trying these options, then consider opening QBO in a different browser than the one you typically use.

QuickBooks also recommends that if you try a private browsing session, you should clear your browser’s cache to ensure complete software functionality.

Consider the Windows or Mac QBO App

If you continue to experience issues running QuickBooks Online in your web browser, consider the QBO app for either Windows or Mac.

The app works just like the QBO web version. However, the app runs more seamlessly and with less sensitivity to the errors that you may encounter running their software inside your browser.

To give you an idea of how important this is, Reynolds and Associates recommends to all of our clients that they use the app to reduce the frequency of issues using the QBO software.

Should You Back Up Your Data?

A common question that QBO users have is whether they should back up their data, especially in the event of QBO going down. The answer is that users do not need to worry about backing up their data.

Intuit, which operates QuickBooks, automatically backs up users’ data using bank-level security. This eliminates the need for offline back-up or storage, such as a flash drive or CD.

Even if QBO is not operating properly for you, your data and records are still stored in their system. Intuit follows through with periodic back-ups to third-party hard drives. Then, all of the data is automatically backed up each night.

How Reynolds and Associates Can Support Your Accounting Needs

As a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, our CPA firm is well-versed in the nuances of successfully utilizing QBO to support the accounting needs of your business.

Our team of experts can help your business with accounting and reporting needs such as:

• Bank reconciliation errors
• Reporting inconsistencies
• Getting more out of your reports
• Common accounting errors

Whether QuickBooks Online is down or you need assistance for your business’ accounting needs, we are available to help. Contact us today or complete our form to find out more about our accounting support.

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