Understanding and Fixing the Restore QuickBooks Backup Issue

Most of the time, your company file contains all the important business data up to the date the backup was created. That's why it's essential to restore the latest backup so that your information is safe even if something goes wrong or the file gets damaged.

Restoring a backup lets you return to a saved point whenever you face an issue. As a result, understanding how to fix a QuickBooks backup is very important. 

Steps to Restore QuickBooks Backup on Your Desktop

When you restore a QuickBooks backup file (.QBB), it is converted to a company file (.QBW). Before you start the restoration procedure, ensure the file is saved on your device's local hard drive. It shouldn't be on a USB drive or in a cloud storage service like Box.

• Access QuickBooks and choose the File
• Move to Open or Restore Company > select Restore a backup copy, and click on Next
• Hit the Local Backup option, then select Next
• Now, browse your computer and find the backup company file. It will look something like YourCompanyName.qbb.
• Be careful: if you open or restore the backup in the same folder as your current company file, you might accidentally overwrite your existing data
• To avoid this, rename either your current company file or the backup so they don't have the same name. You can also save the backup in a different folder to keep things organized and safe
• When you're ready, continue with the restore process. If QB shows any warnings about overwriting data, select the option that best fits your situation. Make sure you don't replace any files unless you truly want to

Also read:- QuickBooks Error 15227 occurs when critical update files fail to verify, disrupting payroll stability and preventing smooth installation of essential maintenance components. 

Ways to Restore QuickBooks Backup File in QBDT for Mac

Below are processes discussed for restoring QB backup files in QBDT for Mac: 

Step 1: Browse to the location of the backup company file

• Open the QuickBooks menu and click Settings
• Hit Backup
• Choose the Reveal Backup Folder, then double-click the folder where backup files are stored
• To view the latest backup, utilise the Date Modified option for sorting

Step 2: Restore the company file for Mac

• Double-tap the backup file to access a new window displaying a copy of your company file. If there are attached documents, you'll also see a folder named Attachments Library
• Drag a copy of your company file to the folder where you store your QB company file. If there's an Attachments Library folder, drag it to the same preferred location
• Choose Browse > go to the folder where you saved the company file copy > select the company file > hit Open
• A prompt will inform you that you're opening a backup file. Click Continue
• Provide a name for the company file and hit Save
• Choose OK to complete the restoration process

Step 3: Restore the attached documents

• In QuickBooks, go to Settings, then choose Attachments
• In the Attached library dropdown menu > pick the Select Existing
• Find and select the Attached library folder that you moved earlier > tap Open
• Close the Preferences window to complete the restoration process

Steps to Restore QB Backup File in QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale 

• Under the File menu, select Company Operations
• From the Start Company window, click Restore from Backup, then click Next
• Provide a filename in the Company Name
• Specify the location to restore from:
  • Click Restore from default backups to restore from a default folder
  • Tap Browse to the alternate backup file to restore from a network or removable drive
• At the end, you have to click Next, and then Close

Read about:- QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error appears during sudden data conflicts or damaged components, instantly closing the program and disrupting normal access to vital company information. 

Restore QuickBooks Backup – FAQ

What does it mean to restore a QuickBooks backup

• Restoring a QuickBooks backup means taking a previously saved company backup file and returning its data to the QuickBooks program so your company file, transactions, lists, and settings match the state they were in when the backup was made.

What file types are used for QuickBooks backups

• QuickBooks uses backup files that typically end with the extension .qbb for portable backups and .qbm for accountant's copies; the full company files use .qbw. Restoring requires the correct type of file for the restore method you choose.

How do I know which backup to restore

• Choose the most recent backup that contains the data you need while considering whether you must preserve transactions entered after the backup date. Verify the backup date, file name, and any notes you kept about the backup before restoring to avoid overwriting important changes.

Can I restore a QuickBooks backup without losing recent entries

• If you need recent entries preserved, create a fresh backup of the current company file before restoring. This safeguards recent work so you can revert or merge later, because a restore replaces the open company file with the backup's contents.

What should I do before restoring a QuickBooks backup

• Before restoring, ensure QuickBooks is closed on other workstations, sign in as the admin, confirm you have a local copy of the backup file, and make a new backup of your current company file to prevent accidental data loss.

Why won't QuickBooks restore my backup file

• Restores can fail if the backup file is damaged, the file extension was changed, the file is blocked by security software, or there's insufficient disk space. Also, using an incompatible QuickBooks version can prevent a successful restore.

How do I restore a QuickBooks backup from an external drive

• Copy the backup from the external drive to a local folder first, then open QuickBooks as the admin and use the Restore Backup option to point to the copied file. Restoring from a local copy reduces the risk of interruptions or read errors.

Will restoring a backup change user permissions or company settings

• Restoring replaces the company file content but may not automatically revert QuickBooks Desktop program settings or user permissions configured on other machines; after restore, review user lists and permissions to ensure they reflect the intended access.

Is it possible to restore only part of a QuickBooks backup

• QuickBooks does not offer a native partial restore; restoring always replaces the full company file. If you need only specific lists or transactions, consider exporting and importing those elements instead, or restore to a separate file for selective copying.

How long does a QuickBooks restore usually take

• Restore time varies with file size, system speed, and storage performance. Small company files can restore in minutes while large files with many transactions can take significantly longer; ensure uninterrupted power and a stable system during the restore.

What if QuickBooks says the backup is corrupted

• If QuickBooks flags a backup as corrupted, try restoring a different backup copy, move the file to a local drive and restore from there, or use a verification tool to inspect the file. Keep the corrupted copy as-is and avoid overwriting other backups until you confirm a working restore.

How can I confirm a restore completed successfully

• After restoring, open the company file and check the company name, the most recent transactions, key account balances, and critical lists like customers and vendors. Run a couple of common reports to ensure data integrity and that the file behaves normally.

Discover more:- QuickBooks Web Connector Error QBWC1085 arises when log files fail to load, blocking smooth syncing between QuickBooks and connected online services. 

Conclusion 

We would like to end this blog on how to restore the QuickBooks backup file. We hope this blog finds you helpful, as it contains various steps of restoration; however, if you are stuck at certain steps, you can directly connect with QB experts by dialing +1(855)-510-6487.