Fix "Opening QuickBooks Splash Screen Displays and Disappears without Opening QuickBooks Desktop"

Written by David Johnson  »  Updated on: November 24th, 2024

Are you facing an issue where Opening QuickBooks Splash Screen Displays and Disappears without Opening QuickBooks Desktop? This is a frustrating problem that can disrupt your workflow, but it’s quite common and can be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. By systematically addressing potential causes such as software conflicts, corrupted installation files, or damaged company data, you can effectively troubleshoot the issue. Implementing recommended solutions like using the QuickBooks Tool Hub or renaming specific configuration files will help restore functionality and ensure that QuickBooks Desktop runs smoothly.

In this blog post, we will cover why this issue happens and how to fix it, so you can get back to running your business efficiently.

Why Does the QuickBooks Splash Screen Display and Disappear?

The splash screen appears during the initial stages of launching QuickBooks Desktop. However, in some cases, QuickBooks may fail to fully open. Here are some potential reasons for this issue:


  • Damaged QuickBooks installation files
  • Corrupted user profile
  • Issues with system compatibility or insufficient system resources
  • A conflicting program or service interfering with QuickBooks
  • Missing or damaged Windows components such as MSXML or .NET Framework

Solutions to Fix the QuickBooks Splash Screen Issue

Now that we’ve identified possible causes, let's move on to the solutions.

1. End QuickBooks Processes from Task Manager

Sometimes, QuickBooks gets stuck in the background process and doesn’t open fully. You can resolve this by closing any related processes.

Steps:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Processes tab.
  3. Look for any processes related to QuickBooks (such as QBW32.exe).
  4. Select the process and click End Task.
  5. Restart QuickBooks Desktop to see if the issue is resolved.

2. Run QuickBooks as an Administrator

Running QuickBooks Desktop with administrative privileges can help resolve issues where the application isn’t launching properly.

Steps:

  1. Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon.
  2. Select Run as Administrator.
  3. If prompted, enter your admin credentials and click Yes.
  4. Check if QuickBooks now opens successfully.

3. Suppress QuickBooks Desktop While Opening

Sometimes, company files are the culprit, and suppressing QuickBooks while opening can help you bypass the issue.

Steps:

  1. Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
  2. Double-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon.
  3. Keep holding the Ctrl key until the No Company Open window appears.
  4. If QuickBooks opens without loading the company file, the issue may be related to a specific company file.

4. Rename the QBWUSER.INI File

Renaming this file can reset some of the preferences that may be causing QuickBooks to fail at startup.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to the following path: C:\Users\[Your User Name]\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks.
  2. Find the file QBWUSER.INI.
  3. Right-click the file and choose Rename.
  4. Add .old to the end of the filename (e.g., QBWUSER.INI.old).
  5. Restart QuickBooks Desktop to see if it opens correctly.

5. Repair QuickBooks Installation

If none of the above methods work, the issue might be with your QuickBooks installation files. A repair can fix damaged or missing files.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run command.
  2. Type appwiz.cpl and hit Enter.
  3. In the list of installed programs, find QuickBooks and click Uninstall/Change.
  4. Select the Repair option and follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. After the repair is complete, restart your computer and try opening QuickBooks again.

6. Update Windows Components (MSXML and .NET Framework)

Outdated or damaged Windows components, such as MSXML and .NET Framework, can prevent QuickBooks from opening properly.

Steps:

  1. Update .NET Framework: Visit Microsoft’s website and download the latest .NET Framework version compatible with your system.
  2. Repair MSXML: Download the MSXML installer and follow the prompts to repair this component.
  3. Once done, restart your system and try launching QuickBooks.

7. Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop

If all else fails, reinstalling QuickBooks Desktop could be your best solution to fix the splash screen issue.

Steps:

  1. Uninstall QuickBooks by going to the Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
  2. Reboot your system.
  3. Download and reinstall QuickBooks Desktop using the installation media or through your Intuit account.
  4. Open QuickBooks to check if the problem is resolved.

Conclusion!

Dealing with the QuickBooks splash screen issue can be inconvenient, but these steps should help you restore normal functionality. Whether it’s a simple process conflict or a more serious installation issue, you can troubleshoot and fix the problem yourself by following the steps outlined above. If the problem persists, you may need to consult with a QuickBooks professional or contact Intuit support.


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