Skip to main content
A
astonishedman
September 1, 2022
Question

QBO automatically signing me out early

  • September 1, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 0 views

This is an issue that has already been asked, but still hasn't been addressed. I see posts as far back as 2020 with this problem. Quickbooks signs me out automatically and it gets frustrating. I have my "setting" set to 3 hours, but that doesn't matter. I get logged off after about an hour, sometimes while I am using it. Then I have to log back in and open the 4 windows that I keep open to conduct my work.The only answer I have seen QBO give is to change the setting option. This obviously does NOT work. They say, "It is for security to protect your information." Protecting my information is my responsibility. There should be an option to stay logged in for an 8 hour day if I so choose, or even set to never auto sign out. If I am worried about security I can set it lower. I work in a home office by myself and there is zero security risk for staying logged in. And it costs me time/money. Let's say I spend only 5 minutes a day with the multiple logins. Over the year at my billing rate it costs me $1,733 to log into quickbooks for the year. Some people report, because there is no auto save feature, that they lose information and have to repeat work because of the auto sign out.

 

PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! Please give more options for length of time to stay logged in. And MAKE IT WORK when an option is selected. As of now auto sign out is at about an hour regardless of this setting.  I'm a programmer and know this should be an easy fix.

    3 replies

    K
    Kurt_M
    September 1, 2022

    Hello there, @astonishedman. I'll share some details about why QuickBooks automatically logged you out even though you've set it to automatically sign your account out after 3 hours.

     

    First, know that this isn't the experience we want you to have here in QuickBooks. Please be aware that even if you've set your company settings to sign you out after 3 hours, you'll still be logged out of your account when your computer or laptop experience a small break in the internet connection. You may not even notice if there a brief connection issues. However, it will affect QuickBooks Online but not affect other sites.

     

    If you didn't experience any small break in your internet connection, let's  perform some basic browser troubleshooting to rule out the possibility of a webpage issue. This way, we can sort this out. I'll gladly input the process below so you can proceed. To begin, you'll need to access your QBO account in an incognito or private browser. You can use the following shortcut keys:

     

    • Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+N
    • Firefox: Ctrl+Shift+P
    • Safari: Command+Shift+N

     

    Once you're in, try to access your QBO account. If it works and QBO won't sign you out of your account, you can proceed to clear your browser's cache. Refer to this article for the steps: Clear cache and cookies to fix issues when using QuickBooks Online.

     

    You can also consider using other compatible browser if issue persist. Refer to this article to see the list of compatible browsers in QuickBooks Online: Other browsers.

     

    Additionally, I've got you this article in case you'd like to edit company details in QBO: Change your business name, contact info, or EIN in QuickBooks Online.

     

    You can also check this page about managing QBO login credentials: Reset or change your login information for QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online Accountant, and QuickBooks Self-Employed.

     

    @astonishedman, if there's anything else that you'd like me to assist you with, feel free to get back to me here in the Community. I'll be more than happy to help you out again. Take care.

    A
    astonishedmanAuthor
    September 1, 2022

    Thank you for your reply. I should have added in the OP that I always us incognito because if I don't it will make me send 2 factor verify every time I log in, which makes the frequent login even more cumbersome. So, yes, I still get logged out in an incognito browser window. I use Firefox (latest) on Mac OS Monterey 12.5.1. I might just try on another browser, but I shouldn't have to.

     

    I do not accept the notion of "experience a small break in the internet connection" causing the problem. If no other site kicks you out on these theorized "small breaks" then QBO needs to find out how the other sites manage to maintain login through these connection breaks. The reason I know this is bogus, I am a web developer and create many online applications for my clients with login functionality. None of them drop a session upon connection issues. QBO is a big ticket software operation and should have resources to make this a better experience for its customers instead offering shaky excuses.

     

    This is a real bug, a real issue that real QBO customers are experiencing. We deserve to be taken seriously about it. I'm willing to cooperate with additional troubleshooting methods.

      A
      astonishedmanAuthor
      September 1, 2022

      Hey, I just received a call from someone offering support. I could only understand about 2/3 of what they would say. But they knew the details of this issue and wanted me to share my screen so they could troubleshoot. Plus, they wanted me to agree that if they fixed something there would be a charge. Since I had no way to verify this was actually QB sanctioned, or who it was I was talking to, and not feeling like this is an issue I should be charged to resolve I declined. It sounded easily like it could have been a scam. Was it really a QB support tech that called me, or did I do the right thing?

        L
        LarryBates
        January 31, 2024

        One of the REAL downsides I see with "cloud based" applications is this auto-logout feature on them.  I use both QBO and Time and seems like I'm logging into each multiple times per day.  While it doesn't seem like that is much time (maybe 30 seconds each time) it adds up.  When I had local apps I NEVER logged out during the day and it wasn't considered a security problem.  Should be the same with a cloud based application.  I also believe these applications should be single sign on (SSO) so that once you are logged into one, the other doesn't require a separate login (which the do now).

         

        Regards,

        Larry [removed]

        Time Traveler Backups

        R
        ReymondO
        February 1, 2024

        Good day Larry,

         

        Thank you for joining the conversation and sharing your experience with the automated logouts in QuickBooks Online (QBO). I appreciate you taking the time to provide detailed feedback.

         

        I understand that frequent logouts can interrupt your daily workflow in QBO. You make some excellent suggestions around adjusting the inactivity thresholds.

         

        With that said, I'd suggest sending feedback to our developers about your recommendations. They can review your suggestions and most likely include this in future updates in QuickBooks. Here's how to send your request:

         

        1. Go to Settings ⚙, then Feedback.
        2. Enter your comments or product suggestions. Then, select Next to submit feedback.

         

        Your valuable feedback goes to our Product Development team to help improve your experience in QuickBooks Online. You can track feature requests through the QuickBooks Online Feature Requests website.

         

        You can also check this page about managing QBO login credentials: How to update or change your email address, user ID, password, and other information in QuickBooks.

         

        Please feel free to reach out again if you have any other sign-in questions or concerns about QuickBooks Online. I'll be here to help you out.

        H
        Hetaiter
        June 27, 2024

        I'm joining this thread because after what looks like years according to the other messages, this issue has yet to be resolved. I am experiencing the same thing as the original post, in addition to being forced to complete 2-step verification for each logout even thought that option is switched off for me in my settings.

         

        I read the entire thread and have already done all the suggested fixes with no success at resolving this issue. Last week I actually called the QuickBooks support team and spoke with someone about this issue two different times, and all they did was walk me through all the step suggested in this thread, including having me share my screen and seeing for themselves that my settings are all properly set up.  At the end of the first call they told me that there is nothing they can do in their capacity to fix this issue and to just send feedback to the developers via the feedback text box on the settings gear icon in the top, right corner. I did so and have heard nothing about it beyond the confirmation email that they receieved my feedback message. The second call was just them asking me if I figured it out, me telling them no and that I still need help, and them telling me again to fill out the feedback text box and that is all that could be done.

         

        The other piece of information that is very strange about my case on this issue in particular is that I never had this issue with QB until they made the big update switch from using Billpay powered by Melio on May 21st, 2024. As soon as I started using QB after that update, this logout/2-step verification issue started occurring. I'm attaching a screenshot with dates to show this and also show the ridiculous amounts of times I'm forced to re-login and fill out the 2-step verification.

         

        The only reason I found this thread is thanks to a QB team member who linked it to me today telling me I may find it helpful. Unfortunately the thread itself is not helpful since there has been no resolution for this issue, thus I'm making my own attempt for someone on the QB team to finally help figure out a resolution.

         

        Thank you

        Hannah

        H
        Hetaiter
        June 27, 2024

        I'm joining this thread because after what looks like years according to the other messages, this issue has yet to be resolved. I am experiencing the same thing as the original post, in addition to being forced to complete 2-step verification for each logout even thought that option is switched off for me in my settings.

         

        I read the entire thread and have already done all the suggested fixes with no success at resolving this issue. Last week I actually called the QuickBooks support team and spoke with someone about this issue two different times, and all they did was walk me through all the step suggested in this thread, including having me share my screen and seeing for themselves that my settings are all properly set up.  At the end of the first call they told me that there is nothing they can do in their capacity to fix this issue and to just send feedback to the developers via the feedback text box on the settings gear icon in the top, right corner. I did so and have heard nothing about it beyond the confirmation email that they receieved my feedback message. The second call was just them asking me if I figured it out, me telling them no and that I still need help, and them telling me again to fill out the feedback text box and that is all that could be done.

         

        The other piece of information that is very strange about my case on this issue in particular is that I never had this issue with QB until they made the big update switch from using Billpay powered by Melio on May 21st, 2024. As soon as I started using QB after that update, this logout/2-step verification issue started occurring. I tried attaching a screenshot with dates to show this and also show the ridiculous amounts of times I'm forced to re-login and fill out the 2-step verification, but when I hit "post" it just keeps saying "authentication failed."

         

        The only reason I found this thread is thanks to a QB team member who linked it to me today telling me I may find it helpful. Unfortunately the thread itself is not helpful since there has been no resolution for this issue, thus I'm making my own attempt for someone on the QB team to finally help figure out a resolution.

         

        Thank you

        Hannah

        S
        SheandL
        June 28, 2024

        I see the importance of being able to use QuickBooks Online without any interruption and the importance of resolving this issue you're having, @Hetaiter. Let me connect you to the support team that can assist you with this matter.

         

        I haven't personally experienced this situation, but I understand the importance of resolving this issue quickly as it's already causing disruptions in your business. I want to assure you that we will escalate your case to our Next Level Help team, who will thoroughly review the comments on your case. Please expect to be contacted by our customer care team within 1-2 business days.

         

        Feel free to reply to this post if you have additional questions about being automatically signed out to your QBO. The Community space is always here for you.

          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement