We have faced persistent and escalating connection issues with our Commonwealth Bank (CBA) bank feed for several months, frequently triggering Error 185 ('More security info required') and occasionally Error 187.This forces an extremely slow and frustrated Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) process. We are required to approve the sync request more than 20 times per update, which is driving us insane, and for unknown reason, we found out that we will have to approve the link request via both the CBA app and phone notifications to make the linking works. But still it can be failed and get the bank account locked.But recently the situation has became even more worse, now we are facing:Extreme Slowdown: The process now often causes QuickBooks to hang and spin for 5 minutes or more without responding, forcing us to gamble the result by refreshing the page.Account Lockouts: This excessive verification activity is now frequently causing CBA to temporarily lock our accounts due to perceived misuse/excessive attempts.Not a standalone Issue: Many colleagues and friends are having this 185 and 187 erros, but just not as bad as my case...yet.We have exhausted every standard troubleshooting step available online (incognito, cache clearing, network changes, disabling security software). CBA support has directed us back to Intuit, saying this is an accounting app problem. Furthermore, we do not have the 'Direct Bank Feed' option available for this account.The current efficiency is very frustrating and not workable, I can't wait for 30mins or risk to get the bank account ban for hours to just get the transaction update every freaking time! If this critical verification protocol issue between Intuit and CBA cannot be resolved immediately, we will be forced to switch to other app, as it can't be worse than this.Please advise, just anyway to solve this 185/187 problem, or anyway to get the direct bank feed setup please.

Question

The CBA Bank Feed 185 error disaster is getting worse!

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
December 1, 2025
2 replies
7 views

We have faced persistent and escalating connection issues with our Commonwealth Bank (CBA) bank feed for several months, frequently triggering Error 185 ('More security info required') and occasionally Error 187.

This forces an extremely slow and frustrated Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) process. We are required to approve the sync request more than 20 times per update, which is driving us insane, and for unknown reason, we found out that we will have to approve the link request via both the CBA app and phone notifications to make the linking works. But still it can be failed and get the bank account locked.

But recently the situation has became even more worse, now we are facing:

Extreme Slowdown: The process now often causes QuickBooks to hang and spin for 5 minutes or more without responding, forcing us to gamble the result by refreshing the page.
Account Lockouts: This excessive verification activity is now frequently causing CBA to temporarily lock our accounts due to perceived misuse/excessive attempts.
Not a standalone Issue: Many colleagues and friends are having this 185 and 187 erros, but just not as bad as my case...yet.

We have exhausted every standard troubleshooting step available online (incognito, cache clearing, network changes, disabling security software). CBA support has directed us back to Intuit, saying this is an accounting app problem. Furthermore, we do not have the 'Direct Bank Feed' option available for this account.

The current efficiency is very frustrating and not workable, I can't wait for 30mins or risk to get the bank account ban for hours to just get the transaction update every freaking time! If this critical verification protocol issue between Intuit and CBA cannot be resolved immediately, we will be forced to switch to other app, as it can't be worse than this.

Please advise, just anyway to solve this 185/187 problem, or anyway to get the direct bank feed setup please.

QuickBooks Online

J

JeraldR

QuickBooks Team

Hello, @zsw-aus.

I genuinely understand how frustrating and concerning this situation is, especially since it's impacting your daily work and causing such stressful issues. I also acknowledge all the time and effort you've already put into troubleshooting these persistent errors.

Switching to Direct Feeds creates a much smoother, more secure, and reliable connection for getting your bank data into QuickBooks. I just want you to know in advance that only Personal and Business banking accounts (including standard CBA foreign accounts with a BSB and account number) are the ones that can use this direct link.

For the complete, step-by-step instructions on setting up this connection, please visit this article: Connect your bank and credit card to QuickBooks Online with Open Banking.

The issues you're seeing with error 185 and 187 need a close look from our team. I recommend reaching out to our Live Support team. They can investigate the lockouts and help guide you through getting the Direct Feed established. Here's how:

Head to the Help icon.
In the Search bar, type Contact Us.
Click the Contact Us option.
Choose Callback.

Also, since your bank account keeps getting locked, please do not try to reconnect or refresh the feed until you've spoken with our Live Support team. This helps stop any more lockouts while they figure things out.

In the meantime, we can manually import your transaction from your bank to QuickBooks Online to keep your books up-to-date and avoid risking further account lockouts until a permanent solution is found. Here's how:

Head to the Link account dropdown.
Select Upload from file.
Follow the on-screen steps.

We know you've been through a lot. Please feel free to reach out if you need more assistance.

Z

zsw-ausAuthor

Sigh, thank you for your help, Jerald, but we have exhausted all options.

Our latest attempt to reconnect the bank feed resulted in the client's Commonwealth Bank account being locked once more.

Since it is impossible to ask our customers to switch banks, the only way forward is to discontinue the use of QuickBooks immediately and find a replacement that can handle the bank feed ASAP.

We will make one last call tomorrow morning to see if we can avoid being collateral damage in your conflict with the Commonwealth Bank. Let's hope for the best.

N

nofucckoff

I have been having this same error non stop for the last few weeks as well and it is definitely getting worse. It was a 50/50 chance of the MFA working before, now it is taking up to 30 tried to connect or does not connect at all. I will also be forced to switch to another accounting software as I am not switching bank accounts unless this is resolved ASAP.

Z

zsw-ausAuthor

Just a quick update on the case.

The solution required us to delete the existing linked bank account and completely rebuild the CBA account link by redoing the data sharing within CBA NetBank (Settings -> Manage data sharing).

I have no idea when or how the original working link failed, but redoing the entire procedure seems to have fixed the bank feed, at least for now.

At least I can resume my tasks. We will wait and see how long it lasts before it fails again.

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