How to Fix QuickBooks Online Running Slow?

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 Running Slow, along with ways to solve these issues and get your finances on track again.

Reasons Why QuickBooks Online Running Slow

QuickBooks can run slowly due to several system or software issues. Below are some common causes:

• QuickBooks is not updated to the latest version.
• The system does not meet QuickBooks’ system requirements.
• The system is running on low RAM.
• The QBWUSER.INI file is missing or corrupted.
• The hard drive has errors or is corrupted.
• QuickBooks Desktop was not installed correctly.
• Essential program files are missing or corrupted.
• The Windows operating system is outdated or corrupted.

Note: If QuickBooks is not loading, the cause may be corrupted program files or an incomplete installation. The software might freeze or display a blank screen upon startup, blocking access to your data.

Reasons Why QuickBooks Runs Slow in Single-User and Multi-User Modes

Single-user mode primarily depends on system performance. Multi-user mode depends on both system performance and network stability.

• Several users are accessing the same feature simultaneously.
• The host computer storing the company file is slow.
• The company file is very large.
• The internet connection is weak or unstable.

Note: If you see the QuickBooks WDDM Service Not Running error, the Web Connector service is not active. Restart the service to run QuickBooks normally.

Troubleshooting Methods to Take When QB Online 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.

Method 1: Access QuickBooks Online in Incognito Mode

When your browser stores a large amount of data, QuickBooks Online performance often slows down. Accumulated cache and cookies can cause the software to run sluggishly. You can use Incognito or Private mode to run QuickBooks without these saved files. This creates a fresh session and helps you determine if browser data is the cause of the slow performance.

Browser	Windows / Linux	MacOS
Google Chrome	Ctrl + Shift + N	Command + Shift + N
Mozilla Firefox	Ctrl + Shift + P	Command + Shift + P
Microsoft Edge	Ctrl + Shift + N	Command + Shift + N
Safari	N/A	Command + Shift + N

Method 2: Delete Browser Cache and Cookies

If your browser stores too much data, QuickBooks Online may run slowly. Follow these steps to clear the cache and cookies for your specific browser.

Google Chrome

• First, open your browser settings and select the Privacy and Security tab.
• Then click on Third-party cookies.
• After that, click on See all site data and permissions.
• Now, type “intuit” in the search bar.
• The final step is to click on Delete the displayed data.

Apple Safari

• First, open the Safari browser and select Preferences.
• Then, click on Privacy and select Manage Website Data.
• Next, type “Intuit” in the search bar.
• Now, click Remove All, and then select Remove Now.
• Finally, restart the Safari browser.

Mozilla Firefox

• First, open Firefox settings and select Privacy & Security.
• Then, select the Site Data section.
• Next, click Manage Data.
• Type “Intuit” in the search bar and delete all the displayed cookies.
• Finally, click to save the changes.

Method 3: 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.

You may also read this: QuickBooks Online Test Drive: What is this and how to use it?

Method 4: 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.

Method 5: 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.

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

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