Have you Reset QuickBooks Password and cannot access your company file or accounting information? A forgotten password can prevent you from managing transactions, viewing financial reports, or completing important business activities.

QuickBooks provides different password recovery options depending on whether you use QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks Online. The reset process also varies depending on whether you need to change an administrator password or a regular user password.

In this guide, we explain how to reset your QuickBooks password, recover account access, and troubleshoot common password reset problems.

Why Do You Need to Reset Your QuickBooks Password?

You may need to reset your QuickBooks password for several reasons:

• You forgot your existing password.
• QuickBooks is rejecting your login credentials.
• You suspect someone else has accessed your account.
• You cannot access your company file.
• An employee needs a new user password.
• You have lost access to your account after changing your email address or phone number.

Before starting, identify whether you need to reset your Intuit account password or your QuickBooks Desktop company file password. These are separate credentials and require different recovery methods.

How to Reset QuickBooks Online Password

QuickBooks Online uses your Intuit account credentials. Therefore, resetting your Intuit password also updates the password used to access QuickBooks Online.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the official Intuit sign-in page.
2. Select I forgot my user ID or Password.
3. Enter your registered email address, phone number, or user ID.
4. Select Continue.
5. Choose an available verification method, such as email or text message.
6. Check your registered email address or phone for the verification code.
7. Enter the code on the sign-in page.
8. Follow the instructions to reset your password.
9. Return to QuickBooks Online and sign in with your updated credentials.

Use the latest verification code if you request more than one. Older codes may no longer work.

How to Reset QuickBooks Desktop Password

QuickBooks Desktop has separate procedures for administrator and regular user passwords.

1. Reset a Regular User Password

If you can sign in as the QuickBooks administrator, you can change another user's password.

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Sign in using the Admin account.
3. Select Company from the top menu.
4. Choose Set Up Users and Passwords.
5. Select Set Up Users.
6. Enter the administrator password when prompted.
7. Select the user whose password needs changing.
8. Click Edit User.
9. Enter the new password.
10. Select Next twice and click Finish.

The selected user can now sign in using the updated password.

2. Reset the QuickBooks Admin Password

If you have forgotten the administrator password, the recovery process depends on your QuickBooks Desktop version.

For QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Open the company file.
3. On the sign-in screen, select I forgot my password.
4. Choose an available registered email address.
5. Select Next.
6. Check your email for the verification token.
7. Enter the token in QuickBooks.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new administrator password.

Check your spam and junk folders if the email does not arrive.

For QuickBooks Desktop 2019 and earlier:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Select I forgot my password on the login screen.
3. Enter your QuickBooks license number and registered business information.
4. Provide the name, email address, phone number, and ZIP code associated with the product registration.
5. Select OK.
6. Check your primary registered email address for the verification code.
7. Enter the code and follow the instructions to create a new password.

You can find your license number by pressing F2 from the QuickBooks login window.

3. Use the Automated Password Reset Tool for Supported Older Versions

If the standard recovery process does not work, Intuit provides an Automated Password Reset Tool for supported older QuickBooks Desktop versions.

Important: This tool is not compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2020 or later.

For compatible versions:

1. Download the tool through Intuit's official instructions.
2. Enter your QuickBooks license number and registered business details.
3. Complete the verification process.
4. Run the downloaded tool.
5. Enter the verification token received by email.
6. Select your QuickBooks Desktop version.
7. Browse for the company file you need to access.
8. Enter the correct administrator username.
9. Create and confirm a temporary password.
10. Select Reset Password.

Use only the official Intuit recovery tool. Avoid downloading password-reset utilities from unfamiliar websites.

What If You Cannot Access Your Registered Email or Phone?

Sometimes, users cannot receive verification codes because their registered email address or phone number is no longer available.

In this situation, Intuit provides an account recovery process.

1. Visit Intuit's official account recovery page.
2. Follow the instructions to open the recovery form.
3. Enter the required account information.
4. Complete the requested identity verification.
5. Submit the form and follow Intuit's instructions.

Intuit may request proof of identity when its standard verification methods are unavailable.

For additional troubleshooting, read our guide on QuickBooks Online Login Problems.

How to Fix Common QuickBooks Password Reset Problems

If the password reset process fails, try the following checks:

• Verification email missing: Check your spam and junk folders and confirm that you are checking the registered email address.
• Incorrect verification code: Use the latest code received from Intuit.
• Registration details rejected: Verify your license number, registered email, phone number, and ZIP code.
• Password not accepted: Follow the password requirements displayed by your QuickBooks version.
• Recovery tool not working: Confirm that you are using a tool compatible with your Desktop version.
• Unable to reset administrator password: Review the recovery options and troubleshoot the exact error before attempting further changes.

You can also read our guide on Unable to Reset QuickBooks Administrator Password for additional solutions.

Tips to Keep Your QuickBooks Password Secure

Follow these practices to protect your accounting information:

• Create a strong, unique password.
• Avoid reusing passwords from other websites.
• Never share your verification codes.
• Keep your recovery email and phone number updated.
• Enable available additional security verification methods.
• Change employee access when their responsibilities change.
• Store recovery information securely.

Conclusion

Resetting your QuickBooks password is straightforward when you use the correct recovery method for your product. QuickBooks Online users can recover their credentials through their Intuit account, while Desktop users must follow the appropriate administrator or regular user password reset steps. Keep your registered recovery information updated, use official Intuit verification methods, and protect your new password to maintain secure access to your accounting records.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my QuickBooks password if I forgot it?

Select I forgot my user ID or Password on the Intuit sign-in page for QuickBooks Online. For Desktop, select I forgot my password on the company file login screen and follow the version-specific recovery instructions.

Can I reset my QuickBooks password without an email address?

You may be able to use another registered verification method, such as your phone number. If you cannot access any registered method, follow Intuit's account recovery process.

How do I reset the QuickBooks Admin password?

Open your company file, select I forgot my password on the login screen, and complete the verification steps. The procedure depends on your QuickBooks Desktop version.

Why am I not receiving the QuickBooks password reset code?

The message may be delayed or filtered into your spam folder. Check the registered email address or phone number and request another code if the option is available.

Can I reset an employee's QuickBooks Desktop password?

Yes, the administrator can sign in, open Company > Set Up Users and Passwords > Set Up Users, select the employee, and enter a new password.

Does resetting my QuickBooks Online password change my Desktop company file password?

No, QuickBooks Online uses your Intuit account credentials, while a QuickBooks Desktop company file can have its own administrator and user passwords. Resetting one does not automatically reset the other.