Even after being a robust application, QuickBooks can have glitches, too. At times, you may experience freezing or stopping. Possible causes for QuickBooks is running slowly include an outdated program, a corrupted hard drive, a damaged Windows Operating System, and more. In addition, this may happen if the firewall security settings are not configured properly. To get your QB back on track, read the blog thoroughly and explore the information given.


If you are still confused about what to do, then don’t risk your accounting book; instead, consult a professional for help. Dial 1.855.888.3080 to connect with one.

Understanding the Root Cause of QB Malfunctions

The following are reasons that might cause QuickBooks running slow.

  • Its main cause might be an outdated program.
  • If the company file size reaches its maximum limit.
  • A corrupted hard drive can be one of the reasons behind it.
  • You may face such an issue if the Windows Operating System is corrupted.
  • The problem mainly arises due to corrupted software files.
  • You might not have set up the firewall correctly.
  • The issue arises due to a damaged or corrupt QBWUSER.INI file.

Fixes to Try If QuickBooks is Running Slowly

Consider these methods and get your QB running. See what expats have suggested for this:

1. Rename the QBWUSER.INI file

  • Head to the QuickBooks folder. This is usually located at: C\Users[Your user name]\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooksYYYY [2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019]
  • Then, look for the QBWUSER.INI file.
  • Now, you need to close all QuickBooks windows.
  • After this, right-click on the QBWUSER.INI file and choose Rename.
  • You are also required to add .old at the end of the file name while renaming it.
  • Similarly, you need to rename the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file.
  • Finally, close all the QB programs running in the background and open the application again.

Recomended to read: What is error code 15243 in QuickBooks?

2. Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

  • Now, close all open QBs and then open QB Tool Hub.
  • Move to the Installation Issues tab.
  • Choose QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool and wait for up to 20 minutes.
  • Let the tool repair damage to the components and installation files.
  • When it is done, restart your computer and open QB.

3. Verify antivirus settings

  • Open the Run window by pressing Win+R.
  • In the search bar, type msconfig and hit Enter.
  • Reboot the system and your application’s performance.
  • Once it is tested, repeat the process and open the Run window one more time.
  • Search for msconfig and hit Enter.
  • Choose the Standard Setup and then click OK.
  • At last, you need to restart your computer and then see if the error is resolved.

Closing Remarks

Throughout this blog, we explored the possible causes for why QuickBooks is running slowly. Wrong firewall settings and a corrupt QBWUSER.INI file might be triggers for this. Running the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool, renaming the QBWUSER.INI file, and verifying your antivirus settings can be helpful in this case. Dial 1.855.888.3080 to gain more information about QB-related content.

You may also read: QuickBooks error 1625 eliminated with easy methods