Why Is QuickBooks Online So Slow? How to Fix This Issue

QuickBooks Online is widely liked because it can be easily accessed as a cloud-based software and offers many useful features. Even so, many users report problems with the app running slowly and being sluggish. This article discusses the causes of QuickBooks Online’s delayed response, along with ways to solve these issues and get your finances on track again.

Why is QuickBooks Online Running Slow?

How well QuickBooks Online works depends on your computer, internet speed, the browser you use, and the details of the data within your company. If one of these parts stops working well, QBO may take a long time to load. Here’s what I’ve found to be the key contributors:

1: Internet Connection Issues

• Insufficient Bandwidth

A fast and strong internet link is needed for QuickBooks Online, since it exists only on the cloud. When connections are slow or are used by people or devices at the same time, QBO will experience delays or failures. Intuit states that you should have at least 3 Mbps for downloads, but it’s best to have a higher speed when a lot of users are on the system or you have bigger files to work with.

• High Latency/Ping

If you look at latency, this is how long it takes for data to travel from your computer to QBO’s servers and return. A long delay may appear, even if your download speed is not too slow. Sometimes, problems such as distance from the servers, busy internet networks, or issues with your ISP cause these issues.

• A poor Wi-Fi signal

Although Wi-Fi is easy to use, it’s generally less steady and slower than the more reliable Ethernet cable. When other gadgets interfere, the router is far away, or the signal is weak, dropped packets and slower transfer cause QuickBooks Online to perform poorly.

• Network Congestion

If lots of equipment uses your network all at once or if your ISP’s network is very busy, this may lower your QBO performance.

2: Browser-Related Problems

• Accumulated Cache and Cookies

Every time you visit a website, your browser creates temporary cache files and little cookies in order to load faster. Such accumulated or stale cache and cookies would, in fact, hinder QBO from doing its job, that is, cause it to be rendered slow, incorrect, or frozen.

• An outdated web browser is used.

QBO uses the new capabilities of browsers, as they change fast. An older browser may make your computer incompatible with many sites, less secure and lead to slower performance. Intuit says that Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari (for Mac) are the preferred browsers when using the latest updates.

• Having Many Tabs or Extensions

Your system’s RAM and CPU are used by each tab in your browser. Accessing too many tabs with changing content can use up the resources QBO requires to function well. Just as not all cellular providers are compatible with electronic business data, browser extensions can drain system resources, slow your computer or get in the way of QBO’s scripts. Quite often, ad blockers, password managers and grammar checkers are to blame.

• Browser Settings

Slowness or trouble using QBO may occur when your pop-up blocker is switched on, JavaScript is disabled or your browser permissions are incorrect.

• Hardware Acceleration

At times, hardware acceleration may lead to problems with certain web applications or graphics hardware drivers. Activating or deactivating this setting could solve performance concerns for a number of users.

3: Device and System Limitations

• Having not enough Random Access Memory (RAM).

Although QuickBooks Online is hosted in the cloud, it will use your computer’s RAM for handling its data. Less RAM such as 4GB or lower, on your system will make it difficult to work smoothly with QuickBooks Online. If you have 4GB or less, you will likely notice lag and an unresponsive QBO, especially if you use the service with massive amounts of data or open several apps at the same time.

• Computers with a slow CPU.

The CPU is in charge of executing commands and performing necessary calculations. Spending a longer time on these tasks is common when your computer’s CPU is not powerful enough. The company advises using an Intel Core i5 processor from 2015 or later or a similar option.

• The system runs on an old Operating System (OS).

Just like with browsers, using an old operating system can prevent your computer from getting important updates, drivers or tweaks that QuickBooks Online (QBO) requires for good performance. Updating your operating system is very important.

• Performance of the Hard Drive

Although QBO does not rely on your hard drive as much as a local program does, a slow or fragmented disk can hamper the speed of your system and affect page loading in your QBO browser. You can experience much faster system performance by opting for an SSD instead of an HDD.

• Too Many Background Applications

Multiple applications in the background, especially heavy ones, eat up system resources that QBO can’t access, and this tends to make QuickBooks Online run slower.

• Antivirus/Firewall Interference

Although antivirus and firewall settings are crucial for protecting your data, they sometimes block or scan commonly used QBO features, which can seriously impact the app’s performance or hurt its connections.

You may read this: QuickBooks Over VPN Runs Slow

4: QuickBooks Online Data and Usage

• Extensive Company File/A Lot of Data

As your company expands, so does the content of your QuickBooks Online. When there are many transactions, customers and vendors, along with many types of stock and complex reports, this can create delays in QuickBooks Online and on your computer.

• Complex Reports

Doing this kind of reporting, involving millions of records, various filters or made-to-measure fields, tends to be more time-consuming than routine reports.

• Using the Computer with Multiple Users

Multi-user mode allows several users to work on the same QuickBooks Online company at the same time, and this can create slowdowns when there are busy times or important data tasks.

• App Integrations

While such applications are beneficial, they could sometimes conflict with QuickBooks Online or add weight to it, affecting its efficiency, especially if the applications are badly optimized or consistently sync high data volumes.

• Intuit Servers Are Not Responding

Even though not common, server maintenance, accidental outages, or unusual busy periods on Intuit’s end can slow down the system for everyone. Intuit wants pages that people use a lot to display within 10 seconds.

Connection Speed & System Compatibility

To get the best performance while using QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online Accountant, QuickBooks Online Payroll, QuickBooks Self-Employed, QuickBooks Sole Trader, or QuickBooks Time, it’s important to understand the ideal computer and browser setup.

Your system’s requirements—including internet speed and compatible web or mobile browsers—can vary based on your device and operating system.

You can access QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online Accountant, QuickBooks Self-Employed, and QuickBooks Time through a web browser on Linux-based systems. However, the QuickBooks Online Advanced desktop app is not supported on Linux.

Supported Web Browsers

QuickBooks generally supports the latest version of major browsers and the two previous versions. Older versions may not be compatible.

The following browsers are supported on both desktop and mobile platforms:

Note: Internet Explorer is no longer supported.

• Google Chrome: Version 78 or later
• Mozilla Firefox: Version 76 or later

Mac users must install the Firefox PDF plugin to preview and print forms.

• Microsoft Edge: Version 79 or later
• Safari: Version 12 or later (Mac only)
• Opera: Version 68 or later
• Samsung Internet Browser: Version 10 or later

Symptoms of QuickBooks Online Running Slow

Noticing the signs that QuickBooks Online is slow helps you know what to change and gives you beneficial solutions. Below are the most frequent signs your QuickBooks Online is struggling:

1: Long Loading Times

• Dashboard/Homepage

The main dashboard usually takes a long time to appear after we have logged in.

• Modules/Sections

Going from the “Sales” section to the “Expenses” section or others can be very slow.

• Transaction Forms

It takes much more time to open or save invoice, bill, check or other similar transaction forms.

• Reports

Trying to generate or personalize reports regularly takes a lot of time, and at times it even times out.

2: Unresponsiveness and Freezing

• Click Delays

After you click on something, QuickBooks Online often takes a moment to respond.

• Typing Lag

Data entry is slow since characters appear only gradually on the screen after you type them.

• Freezing

At certain times, QuickBooks won’t respond for minutes. Sometimes, your browser will show a message stating “page unresponsive” or “not responding.”

• The Spinning Wheel/Loading Indicator

A spinning wheel or animation that refuses to go away shows that QuickBooks Online is having trouble with the data.

3: Errors and Crashes

• Script Errors

At times, certain script errors in the browser inform you that a section of the QuickBooks Online page did not load correctly.

• Connection Errors

These messages can appear even when your internet connection appears to be working correctly.

• Browser Crashes

If QBO is moving very slowly, it might even lead your browser tab or the whole browser to crash.

4: Display Issues:

• Partial Loading

Certain pages or sections in QuickBooks Online may appear with text and data missing.

• Formatting Problems

The layout of a report or form may be wrong or misaligned.

• Blank Screens

On some rare occasions, clicking a link or clicking through to another section might lead to a screen that appears blank and doesn’t load.

5: Specific Feature Slowdowns

• Bank Feeds

Adding bank accounts or grouping transactions within this module happens slowly.

• Reconciliation

Working on reconciliation usually takes more time than many people think.

• Search Functionality

Looking for transactions or contacts via the search bar in QuickBooks Online takes a long time.

• Saving Changes

Saving all updates to transactions, settings or lists requires a bit more time than it used to.

6: General System Lag

• General Slow Performance

QuickBooks Online may be using both your RAM and processor so much that your computer becomes slower.

• Fan Noise

If the computer’s fan sounds louder, it’s likely because the CPU is spending more effort to get all the work done.

QuickBooks Online Running So Slow: Quick Ways to Fix This Issue

Before opting to delve deeper into difficult remedies, see to these very simple things:

Way 1: Make Sure to Clear Up Cache and Cookies.

It is a very ideal starting point. With time, your browser holds onto cached information and cookies from different sites, which may become damaged or old and result in problems in QuickBooks Online.

How You Can Clear Cache and Cookies for Most Browsers (Directions Might Be Specific to Each Browser):

Google Chrome:

• Look at the top right for the three vertical dots and use them to open the menu.
• Access more tools and then go to Clear Browse data.
• You may decide whether to see all of your data or only a portion of it.
• Cache pictures and files, together with cookies and other site data, are what you require.
• Clear data and open the button afterward.

Mozilla Firefox:

• Menu is found in the top right of the display, so click those lines.
• Open Settings, then go to Privacy & Security.
• In Cookies and Site Data, tap Clear Data.
• Make sure to clear your Cookies and Site Data as well as cleared Cached Web Content.
• Click Clear.

Microsoft Edge:

• See the three horizontal dots (representing Settings and more) in the top-right corner and click on them.
• In Settings, select Privacy, search and services.
• Under Clear Browse data, you need to click Choose what to clear.
• Choose a day, week or month for your analysis.
• Review your Cookies and all other site data as well as your Cached images and files.
• Go ahead and click Clear now.

Safari (Mac):

• Open Safari, then click on Preferences in the menu bar at the top.
• Now, you will see the Privacy label in the lower left corner. Just Click on it.
• Click the link to Manage Website Data.
• Search for “Intuit” and press Remove Specific to erase Truck Site data or click Remove All to remove all site data.
• Click Done. To remove your browsing history, to select a time range, launch Safari and clear your history.

After clearing: After restarting your browser, data might be downloaded correctly.

Way 2: Try Incognito Mode (Private Browse)

Your browsing history, cookies, site data, and forms will not be saved when you use Incognito or Private browsing. Doing this can help you see if either browser extensions or corrupted files from cache/cookies are what’s making QuickBooks Online slow.

How to Open Incognito/Private Mode:

• On Google Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows/Linux and Cmd + Shift + N if you’re using Mac.
• To open Preferences in Mozilla Firefox, press Ctrl + Shift + P if using Windows or Linux or Cmd + Shift + P if using a Mac.
• On Microsoft Edge, use these keys at the same time: Ctrl + Shift + N.
• At last, you need to click on the File menu and then need to select New Private Window option.

If everything works great in Incognito mode, your main browser’s cache, cookies or extensions are likely causing the problem.

Way 3: Update Browser and System

Running outdated software may cause problems with its performance and your ability to use different tools.

Make sure you update your web browser:

• All the latest browsers update themselves whenever new versions are available. Still, I have found that you can usually force an update check.
• For Chrome, select the three dots in the top right corner > chose Help > choose About Google Chrome.
• Tap the three lines in the upper right corner > Help > About Firefox.
• To check this, hit the three dots, select Settings, and then About Microsoft Edge.
• Updates on Safari come only when macOS gets updated.
• Replace your browser with the newest update.

Update the software running on your computer.

• For Windows users: From Settings, click on Update & Security, then select Windows Update to check if updates are available.
• Access System Settings, head to General and click Software Update.
• Updating your operating system provides you with new security updates, better performance, and updates for essential hardware drivers.

Way 4: Switch to a Different Browser

If the above steps do not help or if QuickBooks Online operates in Incognito mode, use a new supported browser, for example, Firefox or Edge, if you regularly use Chrome. It allows you to see if the problem stems from your current browser’s settings rather than its installation itself.

Supported web browsers for QuickBooks Online are:

• Tips from Intuit say Google Chrome performs better than other options.
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• For Mac users, you can find Safari under the App Store.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to update the alternative browser as well.

Doing these things can clear up the major sources of QuickBooks Online slowing down, so you don’t have to attempt more involved fixes.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps to Fix QuickBooks Online is running slow

When those quick ways aren’t enough to solve your QuickBooks Online challenges, you should investigate further. They allow users to find and solve problems that do not go away easily.

Step 1: Check Your Internet Bandwidth

One of the main reasons QuickBooks Online runs slowly is an unstable or slow internet connection. Ensure your network fits Intuit’s suggestions and maintains the same speed all the time.

How to Check:

Perform a Speed Test:

• Proceed to a trusted internet speed test webpage using your web browser and enter the URL: speedtest.net, fast.com, or a basic Google Speed Test search.
• Perform the test and check what your Download Speed, Upload Speed and Ping (Latency) are.

Analyze Results:

• Download Speed

The official recommendation is at least 3 Mbps from Intuit, though if you prefer smoother performance from Quicken with many files and users, you should have 10-20 Mbps.

• Upload Speed 

The download is much more pertinent to the simpler activities in QuickBooks Online, but a decent upload speed is also good for sending data to the cloud. 

• Ping

Poor ping is considered above 50ms, below which acceptable level is 100ms. A higher ping will slow down your game.

Fix Connectivity Problems

• Restart Router/Modem 

Unplugging it from power for about half a minute will suffice for both the router and modems, usually doing the trick with minor network glitches.

• Wired Connection

If you are on Wi-Fi, try running an Ethernet cable from your router to your computer. If QBO has better performance, your Wi-Fi is probably what’s causing the problem.

• Close Bandwidth-Hogging Applications

Make sure no applications that take a lot of your internet connection bandwidth are using your internet connection during your time with QuickBooks Online.

• Contact the internet service provider that you use.

If your web browsing is slower than expected or you frequently get cut off, speak with your Internet Service Provider.

Step 2: To analyze memory use, use the browser task manager.

Opening up the QuickBooks Online tab in your browser can cause your computer to use a lot of its resources. The task manager included in your browser can help point out if something like QuickBooks Online or another application is making your browser slow.

How to Use Browser Task Manager:

Google Chrome:

• Click on the vertical 3 dots-Menu on the top right of the page.
• In the top right, click on More tools > Task manager.
• The window brings up a list that displays each tab, extension, how much CPU and Memory they use and their network status.
• Sort your list by “Memory” to check which tabs or extensions need the most space on your computer. Check where the QuickBooks Online tab is located and if you use it.

Mozilla Firefox:

• In the address bar, enter type about:memory and click on Enter. This page includes memory usage statistics for Firefox and each individual tab. You’ll need to know more, but it really helps.
• If you prefer, open your computer’s task manager and search for the Firefox process.

Microsoft Edge:

Tap the three horizontal lines at the top right, which say Settings and more.
Choose Browser tasks under More Tools. It will display information similar to Chrome’s task manager.

• Tap the three horizontal lines at the top right which say Settings and more.
• Choose Browser tasks under more tools. It will display information similar to Chrome’s task manager.

Analyze and Act:

• High QuickBooks Online Memory Usage

If you notice the QuickBooks Online tab is taking up a lot of memory (several hundred MBs or even multiple GBs), it is likely due to a problem with QuickBooks Online, a loaded session, or an issue with your browser. Shut down the QuickBooks Online tab, then open it again or log out and back in.

• Opening Other Tabs/Extensions 

Check whether some of their frustrations come from opening a few other tabs or using a few browser extensions. Disabling those additional pages and disabling any dubious-looking browser extensions- especially for ads or anything related to website behaviour- and then trying using QuickBooks Online again.

• System RAM

When QuickBooks Online is the only open tab in the browser, and the memory in the browser is used up very high, perhaps your computer does not have much RAM for the work you regularly do. If it is possible, try increasing the RAM of your computer.

Step 3: Run QuickBooks Online on Another Device/Network

This will let you determine if the issue is only with your device, your network connection or if it’s bigger than that.

How to Test:

Different Device (Same Network)

• Open QuickBooks Online on a new computer, laptop, or tablet, as long as they are all connected to the same internet network.
• If there is infallibility of definite software functionality on another device, it is most probably the hardware, software, or browser settings of your primary computer that seem to be causing the problem.

Adopting the Same Device on Another Network

• Unplug your network connection from the office and plug it into your home network. Use the same Login ID and Password.
• If you need internet outside, you can turn on your mobile hotspot, get your neighbour’s Wi-Fi password, or look for public Wi-Fi (don’t use it for sensitive data).
• If not on QBO’s end, this has to do with your main internet connection, a router, or local network.

Step 4: Manage QuickBooks Data Efficiently

With QuickBooks Online being cloud-based, the size and detail of your company’s data can sometimes influence its speed and effectiveness.

• Review Large Lists

If your lists of customers, vendors, items or accounts are very long, try to clean them up.

• Merge Duplicates

Put all duplicate entries into one folder.

• Make Inactive

Keep inactive entries rather than deleting them from the book.

• Avoid Using Lots of Data in Your Reports

Schedule the running of long reports with many dates for times when your company is less busy. You may find it helpful to see the data in reports for smaller periods of time.

• Check Transaction Volume

When you manage a large daily number of transactions, the waiting time for QuickBooks Online to load the data may increase. Your system should meet or surpass the recommendations given.

• Third-Party App Review

You might want to disable or disconnect third-party apps you haven’t used in a while if you have a lot of them. Some apps will sync their data in the background which can take away some of your device’s resources.

• Audit Log/History

Audit logs can grow to a very extensive size. Although you can’t make it smaller, knowing this helps you manage your reports better.

Conclusion

A sluggish experience with QuickBooks Online could be due to basic problems with your browser or harder problems with your internet or data. Start by clearing your cache, and if that doesn’t help, go on to do more advanced troubleshooting. You can ask Intuit Support if your accounting is giving you problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

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