Troubleshoot backup problems

backup problems

Try this first

If you can't back up your company file successfully, try these troubleshooting steps first:

Back up the file again. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . You may have accidentally clicked the Cancel button, which causes QuickBooks to abandon the backup. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . If the file still fails to back up, try the following suggestions.
Make sure the media (CD, flash drive, Zip® disk, and so on) you're trying to use has enough space to hold the backup. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Because of enhanced data protection backup files beginning in QuickBooks 2007 are much larger than in earlier versions. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, .
Sometimes media can get damaged (scratches, bad sectors on the disk, etc.). file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Try using a new CD, Zip disk, or USB flash drive to do the backup.
Before QuickBooks backs up your company file, it verifies the integrity of the data. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . If there's a problem with your data, you'll see a data verification error and back up won't proceed. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . To fix this, follow the prompts to rebuild the data and run another data verification. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Once the data passes verification, you can then run a backup.
If you continually need to rebuild your data file when backing up, there may be a bad connection between your computer and where the data file exists. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Check the connection. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . If you are using removable storage media, make sure that it's inserted or connected properly.
If you get a Windows permission error, you may not have Windows permission to save to the folder location you've set for your backups. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Search Microsoft Help for "Folder permissions" to learn about editing folder permissions for Microsoft Windows.
If you're running a scheduled backup make sure you stored the Windows login information in the backup schedule and that the user login has Windows permission to save to the location you've set in the scheduled backup.
If backup fails mid-process, you can also check the backup log file located at:
Windows XP or Windows 2000: C:\Documents and Settings\(your user name)\Local Settings\Application Data\intuit\Quickbooks\log\qbbackup.log
Windows Vista: C:\Users\(your user name)\App Data\Local\intuit\Quickbooks\log\qbbackup.log
If you can't find the qbbackup.log file, it may be that the file is hidden in Windows:
Windows XP: Right-click the Windows Start button, click Explore, then Tools, then Folder Options, and then the View tab. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Click Show hidden files and folders.
Windows Vista: Right-click the Windows Start button, click Explore, then click the Organize drop-down menu, and then click Folder and Search Options. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Click the View tab and in Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.

Permission problems

Why am I getting Windows folder permission errors?
Search Microsoft help for "Folder permissions" to learn about editing folder permissions for Microsoft Windows.
Why do I get a message that I don't have rights to save a backup file to my CD?
Why am I getting permission errors for my scheduled backup?
QuickBooks needs your Windows login information in order to run scheduled backups. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . If you're running a scheduled backup, make sure you've stored a valid Windows login with appropriate folder permissions in the Backup Schedule window.

CD Problems

About backing up to a CD
If you are using Windows XP or Windows Vista, your operating system comes with an integrated CD writing wizard that can "burn" CDs for you. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Windows 2000, however, does not have an integrated CD writing wizard, so you must use another CD writing program to burn your files to the CD.
Most read-writable CD-ROM drives come with a program designed to create CDs. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Before backing up your company file to a recordable CD, be sure to install the program for your CD-ROM drive. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . For more information about using the program to prepare and write to blank CDs, refer to the documentation that came with your CD-ROM drive.
If you cannot save your backup directly to the CD-ROM drive, try saving the backup to your hard drive first. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Then use your CD writing program to burn the backup file (.qbb) to your CD.
Why can't I save a backup directly to my CD?
If you're using Windows 2000, you must use a third-party CD writing program to write the backup file to the CD. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Read the instructions on how to back up to a CD using Windows 2000.
If you're using Windows XP or Windows Vista and still cannot save your backup to a CD, try saving the backup to your hard drive first and then copy the backup file (.qbb) to your CD-ROM drive. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Be sure to burn the backup file after copying it to the CD-ROM drive. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Read the instructions on how to back up to a CD using Windows XP, or a CD using Windows Vista.
How can I verify the backup was burned to the CD?
Why can't I select my CD drive letter in the Location field?
If you're using Windows XP or Windows Vista, Windows overrides the CD drive letter with its CD Burning folder location. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Read the instructions for backing up to a CD using Windows XP or CD using Windows Vista for more information.
Why can't I schedule a backup to a CD?
Backing up to a CD-ROM requires additional steps to write the file to the CD. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . If you want to back up to a CD, you must do this manually. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Follow the instructions to backup to a CD using Windows XP, or a CD using Windows Vista, or a CD using Windows 2000.

Common questions

What gets saved in a backup?
Why can't I use a floppy disk?
Why is the backup file size so large?
Backup in QuickBooks 2007 has vastly improved. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . For your data security, all QuickBooks files (templates, letters, logos, images, and so on) related to the company file are now included in the backup, not just the company file. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . This increases the size of the backup file.
If you're trying to e-mail a company file, or temporarily move the company file to another computer, use a portable file instead.
Why is backup slower than in earlier versions of QuickBooks?
Beginning in QuickBooks 2007, backups now secure all QuickBooks files (templates, letters, logos, images, and so on) related to the company file. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . This increases the size of the backup and therefore takes longer to complete.
In addition, data verification is now recommended during backups. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Although this increases the length of time for the backup to complete, it helps ensure that the backup you're creating does not contain damaged data.

QuickBooks Online Backup problems

For help with QuickBooks Online Backup, visit the QuickBooks Online Backup Customer Support site.

For additional help

Visit the Backing Up and Restoring Your Files forum on the Go online QuickBooks Community site. file handling, backups, troubleshooting, troubleshooting, backups, . Many QuickBooks customers use the QuickBooks Community to ask and answer questions, share tips and advice, and act as peer support.