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Quickbooks Desktop 2020 - Can't Reset Admin Password

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
November 1, 2021
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Hi, I'm having a strange problem. I have created many companies in the past, and this has never happened.

I have created a new company (let's call it X), put in the details, and entered some information. I did not set a password on this company X yet. Then I close the file.

Next, I can open any other company (let's call it A) and I get the usual QuickBooks Desktop Login box, showing my company name, and telling me "You need to log in as QuickBooks Desktop Administrator to proceed. Please enter the admin (owner) password for the company." I enter the password I set in the past (and use for every company) and log in just fine.

However, when I go back to open company X's file, I now get a larger login screen that says Sensitive Data Protection Setup:

Create Complex QuickBooks Desktop Password

To complete sensitive data protection setup, create a new complex QuickBooks Desktop password.

All fields required.

User Name - Admin

Current Password - (blank) [Show]

[Forgot Password?]

New Password - (blank)

[Recommended to have at least 7 characters, including one number and one uppercase letter.]

Confirm New Password - (blank)

I have tried every password I can think of for the Current Password -- The one I use for every company and that works for company A, or my Intuit online account password, or blank, or admin, etc. and nothing works. It always tells me "The old password you entered does not match your existing password."

The very weird part is when I hit "Forgot Password?" Clicking this doesn't allow me to reset my password, it just opens a "Have a Question?" help window telling me how to "Reset your Password for QuickBooks Desktop by QuickBooks, Updated May 21, 2021." I have been directed over and over to this information, and I know that I'm supposed to click "Forgot Password?" and then choose my email from a dropdown to get a token -- but I am NOT getting this dropdown! It just keeps opening this help window instead.

I spent 45 extremely frustrating minutes on the phone with support earlier, and the representative sent me a link to reset my Intuit online password, but could not reset the admin password or explain why hitting the "Forgot Password?" link does not actually allow me to reset the password, it just opens this help window.

I don't understand why there's even a password on this company when I did not set one yet. I have deleted all the files related to this company name and recreated it twice and I still get this error when I try to open it a second time. I can still open company A, but when I go to "Company > Set Up Users and Passwords > Change Your Password" it brings up the same kind of window with User Name - Admin, and asking for Current Password and New Password, and the password I used to open company A doesn't work in the Current Password field, and hitting "Forgot Password?" there also does not let me choose anything, it just opens that same help window.

I am completely frustrated with this, please help.

QuickBooks Desktop

Best answer by Jamie-W

Thank you for the EIN workaround, I'll try that next time I set up a new company.

I have run into this same issue with most versions of QuickBooks desktop (2019 to 2023), including the Enterprise edition (19.0 to 23.0). My workaround was to set up a company in QB 2018, QBE 18.0, or earlier, making sure to set up Admin passwords as well as one or more other users. Then I upgrade this datafile by opening it in the newer versions until I get it to the version I need. I also have to do it this way because you cannot set up any additional users in a newly created file, because QB requires the Admin password to do so, which of course I didn't set up and don't have.

Having been a ProAdvisor for several years, I have access to the older versions so many newer users may not be able to use this option.

The problem appears to have begun when they started requiring you to login/create an Intuit account when setting up a company. I haven't seen any way to bypass this step, and don't know if creating/logging in sets up some random password in the datafile where one doesn't already exist. I just know it is annoying to have to do this every time because I really can't justify billing for the time wasted upgrading a customer's new file through several upgrades just so they can use it on their version.

Hello, I'm the OP of this thread and I don't know who's going to get a notification that I've replied again, but I needed to share this -- I stumbled on a way to save a company file if this idiotic error happens again!

THE SOLUTION -- DO NOT BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN THE FILE AGAIN!

This happened again to one of my files at the beginning of December 2022 when my computer crashed (and it was a newer file, so I did not have any EIN or sensitive data in the file). After the crash, I tried to open the company file I'd been working on and got the dreaded screen asking for my Old Admin Password and to create a New Password. That's the entire problem here, I had never created any admin password, so I was never able to get past this screen and I thought I'd have to recreate the file again, since the "reset my password" link also does not work.

However! After rebooting my computer a few times and trying everything, even the QB Tool Hub (which is a joke), one time I tried to open the file again -- and got a different screen! This time it didn't ask me to input the old password, I just got a "create a new password" screen! I was able to enter a password and open the file perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened. (Be sure to write down your new password somewhere safe immediately!)

I realized what was different -- I wasn't connected to the internet at the time! And I'm here to crow about it because the same thing happened AGAIN with a different file last night, and after fighting with the thing for a few hours today, I finally remembered how I'd solved the last one -- and when I disconnected my internet, and tried to reopen the file, it gave me the "create new password" screen WITHOUT asking for the old, nonexistent Admin password!!!

I hope this helps somebody. This error that they've never been able to fix, explain, or troubleshoot, on top of the fact I recently received a notice saying I won't be able to use the QB 2020 Desktop program that I purchased after May 31, 2023, and that I'll have to upgrade to their QB Online program, has got me looking for new software to migrate my data into. But for now, at least this solution will save your data if this happens to you. Cheers, Happy New Year!

A

Archie_B

I can only imagine what you've been through, Jamie-W.

Let me help and share some information about password security in QuickBooks Desktop.

To ensure the safety of your company's data, QuickBooks will ask you to create a complex password when you sign in to the file. It will also prompt you to change your password near the end of the 90 days as well as on the expiration date itself. Here's an article for more information: Password Security for QuickBooks Desktop.

If you don't have a dropdown list for emails upon choosing the option I forgot my password, you need to select Don’t see your email in the list above? and enter an email address where you'll receive the token. Emails from us can show up in your spam folders. Check your spam and junk folders if you don't see your code in your inbox.

Otherwise, if the password reset still doesn't work, I recommend contacting our Support Team. They have the right tools and can securely remote in to your computer to help you fix any issues.

I wanna make sure I got you covered, feel free to add some details by click the Reply button below. I'll be around if you need help. Have a nice day!

J

Jamie-WAuthor

Please see the issue in my email -- When I click "Forgot Password" it doesn't give me the list of emails at all, it just opens a help window showing me the steps to reset my password.

I spent 45 minutes on the phone today with the Support Team and the woman told me that she "really wanted to help me" but there was nothing she could do, and refused to transfer me to anyone else who might help me. It's Case Number [Removed] if you'd like to listen to the whole frustrating call. Your link looks like it just takes me back to that support number I called today, so how do I contact a specialist to remote into my computer?

M

Mich_S

I understand this isn't an easy process for you, @Jamie-W.

I know of another way for resetting your QuickBooks Admin password.

You can use the Automated Password Reset tool instead if you can't reset the password. Here's how:

Download the Automated Password Reset tool.
Choose your version of QuickBooks Desktop.
Enter the QuickBooks license number and business info used when you registered QuickBooks and then hit Next.
Accept the license agreement. If it asks you to Run or Save the file, select Save and save it to your Desktop.
Open the Automated Password Reset tool and then type in the token number received via email.
Choose the same QuickBooks version from the QuickBooks Desktop Products drop-down.
Click on Browse for Company File, and then select the company file you want to reset the password for.
Fill in the right Company File Admin User Name.
Fill in your New Password and then Confirm New Password.
To complete the process, click on Reset Password.

Feel free to read this through for more information about password reset: Use the Automated Password Reset Tool for QuickBooks Desktop.

Don't hesitate to message us back by leaving a comment below. We're always happy to help. Stay safe always.

R

Richard_eynolds

I am using QuickBooks Desktop 2019 and i was getting an error message that i need to update my password and i wasn't able to figure out. But I have finally reset my QuickBooks admin password and if anyone looking for help then i would suggest you should also try the following full guide on reset admin password.

JenoP

Allow me to join you here and help with your password, Richard.

It's possible that there are some details that are not similar to what we have on our records. You can log in to your account on the Customer Account Management Portal Site to check and verify if the information is the same.

It's a site where you can see and manage your accounts, products, contacts, billing, and user ID access. You can review charges, update your payment method, change a credit card, as well as update billing information and email addresses.

Here's how:

Go to camps.intuit.com
Sign in with your Intuit Account info. This could be different from what you use to sign in to your company file.
If you see multiple products to choose from, select QuickBooks Desktop to go to CAMPs.

In case the details are the same, I would recommend reaching out to our phone or chat support teams. They can take a look at your account and help you reset your password. Go to this article to get their contact details: Contact QuickBooks Desktop Support.

Don't hesitate to reply to me and share updates if you're able to reset your password. I would also love to get back here in case you need anything else.

H

Heinz2

I reset my password now I have to of the same company with 2 different passwords Qb lost all my data from 2019 to 2022 tech support has no answers very disgusting

Fiat Lux - ASIA

@Heinz2

Do you still have the backup of the original file?

M

Maybelle_S

Hello there, @Heinz2.

I'd recommend getting in touch with our Customer Support for the fix. This way, our data service team can further check if they can recover or retrieve the lost data.

Here's how:

Go to the Help menu.
Select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
Click the Contact us button.
Type a brief description of your concern.
Hit Let's talk, and then choose a way to connect.

You'll also want to check our support hours page to see when our support will be available.

For additional information about the Data Services team, check out the following article. It also contains detailed steps regarding the type of files you can upload: QuickBooks Data Services FAQ.

You can visit this link about recovering data in QuickBooks: Recover lost data with QuickBooks Auto Recovery.

Let me know if you need further assistance with your lost data. I'm always here to help.

M

Maria EA

I had exactly the same issue! But I disconnected the computer from the internet and I was able to set up a new password. Thank you so much to the user that gave this tip!!!!

I contacted qb support and they wanted us to pay for a subscription so they could reset the password for me.

A

allanraay09

If you're unable to reset the admin password in QuickBooks Desktop 2020, there are a few steps you can take to resolve the issue:

Use the Automated Password Reset Tool: QuickBooks provides an automated tool specifically designed to help you reset the admin password. Download and run the "Automated Password Reset Tool" from the official Intuit website. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Contact QuickBooks Support: If the automated tool doesn't work or you encounter any issues, consider reaching out to QuickBooks support. They can provide guidance and assistance in resetting your admin password. Make sure to provide all relevant information about your version of QuickBooks and the issue you're facing.
Try Password Hint: During the password reset process, you might have set up a password hint. If you remember the hint, it could help jog your memory about the password you used.
Use a Different User Account: If you have other user accounts with administrative privileges, you might be able to use them to reset the admin password. Log in with a different admin account and navigate to the "Company" menu. From there, choose "Set Up Users and Passwords" and then "Set Up Users." You can reset the password for the admin user from here.
Recover from a Backup: If you have a recent backup of your QuickBooks company file, you could restore it to a point where you remember the password. Keep in mind that this will erase any changes made since the backup date.
Reinstall QuickBooks: As a last resort, if you're unable to recover the admin password, you might consider uninstalling and then reinstalling QuickBooks. During the reinstallation process, you can set up a new admin password.

Remember that handling passwords and account access requires caution to ensure the security of your financial data. Always follow Intuit's official guidance and recommended practices when dealing with password-related issues.

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