Of course! Here is a lengthy and detailed post with a step-by-step guide on how to fix Intuit Data Protect in QuickBooks Desktop.
Is your QuickBooks Desktop data protected? Let's get that backup working!
Have you ever seen that frustrating notification that your Intuit Data Protect backup failed? It can be a real headache, especially when you rely on it to safeguard your crucial financial data. Don't worry, you're not alone! Many QuickBooks Desktop users face this issue. The good news is that most of the time, the problem isn't a complex software bug but a simple configuration issue on your computer.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps to get Intuit Data Protect back on track and ensure your QuickBooks data is safe and sound. Let's dive in!
Step 1: The First Check-in - Are You Up to Date?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of firewall settings and permissions, let's start with the most basic and often most effective solution: updates. An outdated version of QuickBooks Desktop or Intuit Data Protect can lead to compatibility issues that cause backup failures.
Are you ready to see if a simple update can fix your problem? Let's do it!
Sub-heading: Update QuickBooks Desktop
Open your QuickBooks Desktop application.
Go to the Help menu at the top.
Select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
In the Update QuickBooks Desktop window, go to the Update Now tab.
Make sure the Data Protect checkbox is selected in the list of features.
Click Get Updates and wait for the download to complete.
Once the download is finished, restart QuickBooks. If prompted, click Yes to install the updates.
Sub-heading: Update Intuit Data Protect Separately
Even if you've updated QuickBooks, it's a good idea to check for updates for the Intuit Data Protect application itself.
Look for the Intuit Data Protect icon in your Windows system tray (the small icons near the clock in the bottom-right corner of your screen). It looks like a green padlock. If you don't see it, click the small up arrow (^) to show hidden icons.
Right-click on the green padlock icon.
Select About Intuit Data Protect.
In the new window, click the Update button if it is available.
Click OK once the update is finished.
Step 2: The Firewall Face-Off - Letting Intuit Data Protect Through
This is one of the most common reasons for Intuit Data Protect failures. Your computer's firewall or antivirus software might be blocking the communication that Intuit Data Protect needs to send your data to the cloud. We need to create an exception to allow the necessary files through.
Ready to make your firewall a friend, not a foe? Follow these steps:
Sub-heading: Add Intuit Data Protect to Windows Firewall Exceptions
Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type
firewall.cpl
and press Enter. This will open the Windows Firewall settings.In the left panel, click on Allow an app through Windows Firewall.
Click on Change settings (you may need administrative privileges to do this).
Click Allow another app... at the bottom.
Click Browse and navigate to this folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Intuit\Data Protect
In that folder, you need to add three specific files. Select
QBIDPservice.exe
, click Open, then click Network types... and make sure the Private checkbox is selected. Click OK, then Add.Repeat this process for the other two files in the same folder:
IBuEngHost.exe
andIntuitDataProtect.exe
. If you get a message saying the files already exist, you're all set!
Sub-heading: Check Your Antivirus Software
If you're using a third-party antivirus program, you will need to check its settings and add the same three executable files (QBIDPservice.exe
, IBuEngHost.exe
, and IntuitDataProtect.exe
) to its exclusion or whitelist. The process varies depending on the antivirus software, so refer to its documentation for specific instructions.
Step 3: The System User Solution - Verifying Permissions
For Intuit Data Protect to back up your QuickBooks company file, a specific process called IBuEngHost.exe
must be running under the System user account, not your local Windows user account. If it's not, the backup will fail, especially if the file is open.
Let's check and correct this crucial setting!
Right-click on your Windows Taskbar and select Start Task Manager.
Go to the Details tab.
Find the process named IBuEngHost.exe in the list.
Look at the User name column. If it says anything other than "SYSTEM" (or System), you've found a major culprit.
If it's not running as the System user, you need to reinstall Intuit Data Protect. First, close all QuickBooks-related programs.
Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall Intuit Data Protect.
Next, reinstall QuickBooks Desktop from your installation media or a fresh download. Important: When you run the installer, make sure to right-click on it and select Run as administrator. This is key to setting up the correct permissions.
After reinstalling, check the Task Manager again to confirm
IBuEngHost.exe
is now running as SYSTEM.
Step 4: The Diagnostic Tool - Your Built-in Helper
Intuit Data Protect comes with a handy diagnostic tool that can automatically detect and fix common issues. If the previous steps didn't work, this is your next best bet.
Let's run the diagnostic and see what it finds!
Right-click the Intuit Data Protect (green padlock) icon in the Windows System Tray.
Select About Intuit Data Protect.
Press Ctrl + F2 on your keyboard simultaneously. This will open the Intuit Data Protect Diagnostics Tool.
Click Run Diagnostics.
The tool will scan your system for issues with memory, disk space, and Windows components like the .NET Framework. If it detects a problem, it will display a message with a suggested fix. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 5: The Web Trust - Adding Intuit Sites to Trusted Sites
Sometimes, your Internet Explorer settings (even if you don't use the browser) can block Intuit Data Protect from connecting to the backup servers. Adding Intuit's websites to your Trusted Sites list can resolve this.
Let's make sure your computer trusts Intuit's servers!
Press the Windows key and type "Internet options" in the search bar.
Select Internet Options from the search results.
Go to the Security tab.
Select Trusted sites, then click the Sites button.
In the "Add this website to the zone" field, add the following websites one by one, clicking Add after each:
backup.com
*.intuit.net
*.intuit.com
*.intuitdataprotect.com
*.quickbooks.com
workplace.intuit.com
emerald.backup.com
Important: Make sure to uncheck the box that says "Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone."
Click Close, then OK.
Step 6: The Clean Sweep - Clearing Cache and Temporary Files
A cluttered browser cache or temporary files can sometimes interfere with Intuit Data Protect's ability to connect. Clearing them out can provide a fresh start.
Ready for a digital clean-up? Let's do it!
Open Internet Explorer.
Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner, then select Internet options. If you don't see the gear icon, press the Alt key to show the menu bar and then click Tools > Internet Options.
In the General tab, under "Browse history," click Delete...
Select the following checkboxes:
Temporary Internet files and website files
Cookies and website data
History
Form data
InPrivate Filtering
Uncheck the box for "Preserve Favorites and website data."
Click Delete.
Now, go to the Content tab and click Clear SSL state.
Click OK to close the Internet Options window.
Step 7: The Final Frontier - Additional Troubleshooting
If you've gone through all the steps above and are still having trouble, here are a few more things to check:
Check your local disk space: Ensure you have enough free space on the drive where your QuickBooks company file and Intuit Data Protect temporary files are stored.
Verify the Company File: Use the QuickBooks File Doctor to check your company file for data corruption. From the QuickBooks Tool Hub, go to Company File Issues and run the File Doctor. A corrupted file can prevent a successful backup.
Check the File Path: Ensure the file path to your company file is not excessively long. Some older software can have issues with file paths that exceed 256 characters.
Reboot: Sometimes, a simple restart of your computer can resolve temporary glitches.
10 Related FAQ Subheadings with Quick Answers
How to check the status of my Intuit Data Protect backup?
You can check the status by right-clicking the green padlock icon in your Windows system tray and selecting View Backup History. This will show you a list of all your past backups and their status (e.g., success, failure, in progress).
How to change my backup settings in Intuit Data Protect?
Right-click the Intuit Data Protect icon, select Open Intuit Data Protect, and then click on Change Backup Settings. From there, you can add or remove files and folders from your backup set and adjust your backup schedule.
How to run the Intuit Data Protect Diagnostic Tool?
Right-click the Intuit Data Protect icon in the system tray, select About Intuit Data Protect, and then press Ctrl + F2. Click Run Diagnostics in the new window that appears.
How to check if IBuEngHost.exe is running as the System user?
Right-click your Windows Taskbar, select Start Task Manager, go to the Details tab, and find IBuEngHost.exe
. Check the "User name" column to see if it says "SYSTEM".
How to add Intuit Data Protect to my firewall's allowed apps list?
Open Windows Firewall, go to Allow an app through Windows Firewall, and add QBIDPservice.exe
, IBuEngHost.exe
, and IntuitDataProtect.exe
from the C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Intuit\Data Protect
folder.
How to free up space in my Intuit Data Protect account?
Right-click the Data Protect icon, select Open Intuit Data Protect, and click Change Backup Settings. Uncheck any files or folders you no longer need to back up. You can also contact Intuit support to manage your online storage.
How to fix an 'Incorrect Login Credentials' error in Intuit Data Protect?
Ensure you are using the correct Intuit user ID and password associated with your Data Protect subscription. You can try signing out and signing back in from the Intuit Data Protect application.
How to know if my QuickBooks company file is corrupted?
You can use the QuickBooks File Doctor (available through the QuickBooks Tool Hub) to run a scan on your company file. It will detect and often fix common data corruption issues.
How to restore a backup from Intuit Data Protect?
Right-click the Intuit Data Protect icon, select Open Intuit Data Protect, and then click Restore from Backup. Follow the on-screen prompts to select the date, time, and files you want to restore.
How to contact Intuit support for further help?
Open QuickBooks Desktop, go to the Help menu, and select QuickBooks Desktop Help/Contact Us. Follow the prompts to describe your issue and choose a contact method like chat or a call back from a support agent.