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pkgallagher
August 4, 2020
Solved

How do I recover lost vendors and customers after rebuilding QuickBooks Desktop?

  • August 4, 2020
  • 9 replies
  • 57 views

I had to rebuild my quickbooks and I lost all my vendors and customers.  Now when I try to add a vendor it restarts qb.  What can I do to get my lists back?

Best answer by sofiamdc-2341

If your vendor and customer lists disappeared after running Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop, the fastest path to recovery is restoring the backup QuickBooks automatically created just before the rebuild ran.

 

Step 1: Confirm your file was rebuilt

Before doing anything else, check whether QuickBooks has a record of the rebuild:

  1. Open QuickBooks and your company file.
  2. Press F2 on your keyboard to open the Product Information screen.
  3. In the Versions Used on File section, look for RB — this shows the date and time the rebuild occurred.

Once you know the rebuild date, you can find the backup created just before it.

 

Step 2: Restore the pre-rebuild backup

QuickBooks requires a backup before it runs a rebuild, so one should exist on your system.

  1. In QuickBooks, go to File, then Open or Restore Company.
  2. Select Restore a backup copy, then click Next.
  3. Choose Local Backup, then Next.
  4. Browse your computer for a .qbb file saved just before the rebuild date you found in Step 1.
  5. Follow the prompts to restore. Important: don't overwrite your current company file. Save the restored file under a new name so you can compare them.

If you're not sure where your backup files are stored, search your computer for files with the .qbb extension. You can also check the default backup folder QuickBooks uses, typically in your Documents > QuickBooks folder.

 

If there's no backup available

If the backup can't be found or the lists are still missing after restoring, you have a couple of options:

To reach support: open QuickBooks, go to Help, then QuickBooks Desktop Help, then Contact Us.

 

Let us know where you are in this process and we can help point you in the right direction.

 

Check out these articles for more:

9 replies

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 14
August 4, 2020

Have you run the Verify/Rebuild Data tool? Have you run the Toolhub?

M
mammen
May 8, 2021

No, How do I do.

 

Thanks

Adrian_A
Adrian_A
Level 8
May 8, 2021

Hello mammen,

 

You can look for a third-party application through our page. 

 

I've added this link as your guide: Apps for QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Also, feel free to visit our Help Articles page for some information about managing your files.

 

Let me know if there's anything that I can help. Keep safe!

M
MaryAnn_E
Level 4
August 4, 2020

Let's work together to resolve this issue, @pkgallagher.

 

One of the reasons why you're unable to open your QuickBooks Company file is that program files or QuickBooks installation are damaged. Let's run Quick Fix my Program from the QuickBooks Tool Hub.

 

  1. Close QuickBooks.
  2. Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub file. 
  3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
  4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
  5. When the install finishes, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.

 

Then, run repair on your program. Here's how:

  1. In the QuickBooks Tool Hub, select Program Problems. Select Quick Fix my Program.
  2. Start QuickBooks Desktop and open your data file.

 

You can also check these articles for more information and troubleshooting steps:

 

You can always add a comment below if you have any other questions. Stay safe always.

P
pkgallagherAuthor
August 4, 2020

This did not fix the problem.  Are there any other options?

Ashley H
Ashley H
Level 4
August 4, 2020

Thanks for the response back, @pkgallagher.

 

If the Verify and Rebuild and troubleshooting in the QuickBooks Tool Hub didn't work, then I recommend reaching out to the QuickBooks Desktop Support Team. Rest assured, they have the tools to remote a screen-share to look further into this issue. Here's how to get in touch:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks.
  2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
  3. Choose Contact Us.
  4. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Continue.
  5. Pick how you want to get contacted. You can refer to this Community article for support hours.

 

You'll hear from an agent shortly. Once connected, they may perform some troubleshooting with their tools to help isolate the issue and find a solution. 

 

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate and reach back out! Have a beautiful day.

A
almeidad
New Member
August 5, 2020

I would suggest finding a 3rd party provider who can do a repair on the file and restore it from previous backups.

sofiamdc-2341
sofiamdc-2341Community ManagerAnswer
Community Manager
August 20, 2026

If your vendor and customer lists disappeared after running Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop, the fastest path to recovery is restoring the backup QuickBooks automatically created just before the rebuild ran.

 

Step 1: Confirm your file was rebuilt

Before doing anything else, check whether QuickBooks has a record of the rebuild:

  1. Open QuickBooks and your company file.
  2. Press F2 on your keyboard to open the Product Information screen.
  3. In the Versions Used on File section, look for RB — this shows the date and time the rebuild occurred.

Once you know the rebuild date, you can find the backup created just before it.

 

Step 2: Restore the pre-rebuild backup

QuickBooks requires a backup before it runs a rebuild, so one should exist on your system.

  1. In QuickBooks, go to File, then Open or Restore Company.
  2. Select Restore a backup copy, then click Next.
  3. Choose Local Backup, then Next.
  4. Browse your computer for a .qbb file saved just before the rebuild date you found in Step 1.
  5. Follow the prompts to restore. Important: don't overwrite your current company file. Save the restored file under a new name so you can compare them.

If you're not sure where your backup files are stored, search your computer for files with the .qbb extension. You can also check the default backup folder QuickBooks uses, typically in your Documents > QuickBooks folder.

 

If there's no backup available

If the backup can't be found or the lists are still missing after restoring, you have a couple of options:

To reach support: open QuickBooks, go to Help, then QuickBooks Desktop Help, then Contact Us.

 

Let us know where you are in this process and we can help point you in the right direction.

 

Check out these articles for more:

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