The QuickBooks Automated Password Reset Tool does not reset the Admin password successfully. I received an error when I tried to reset my password.

IMPORTANT:  The Automated Password Reset Tool will only work on company files last opened in QuickBooks Versions 2008 or later.

If the company file is on removable media, copy the file to your desktop before attempting to reset the password. Remember to move the file back to the correct QuickBooks location when you are finished.

Any of the following can cause the Automated Password Reset Tool to fail. 

• Unable to connect to the server to validate Token: You are either not connected to the Internet or the web server could be very busy. If you are connected to the Internet, wait a few minutes and try again.
• Token is either invalid or has expired: You have only 2 hours to use the Token Number from the email that we sent you. If it has been 2 hours since you received our email, you'll have to go back to the webpage where you downloaded the tool, and fill in the fields up to the License Agreement. You do not need to download the tool again, but this will generate another email with a new Token Number. Use it immediately.
• Token has been used and is now closed: You have used this Token Number already. You need to get a new Token Number (see the bullet point above).
• Failed to reset password. Please contact technical support for further assistance: You have tried to open a company file in a version that is different than the product you selected in the tool. Make sure the company file you browse to was last opened in the same version you select in the QuickBooks Product drop down menu.

You cannot reuse the Automated Password Reset Tool without verifying your identity each time.  After completing Step 2 on the website, enter your information and click the Submit Details button.  If the information entered is valid, then you will reach the Data Services Agreement page.  Another Token Number will be generated and sent to the e-mail address that you entered.  You may forego downloading a new Tool and instead reuse the executable file called QuickBooksPasswordReset.exe that you originally downloaded as long as you enter the new "unused" Token Number.

If your company file is open or in use on this or any other workstation, close it on this and all other workstations.

If the Login screen or incorrect password Warning is open, close the login prompt or Warning message.

QuickBooks for Windows Version 2008 or later must be installed before you can use the Automated Password Reset Tool.  If you are not sure which version is installed, check the Add or Remove Programs in Windows:

1. Click the Microsoft Windows Start button and select Run. Enter control in the Open field and click OK.
2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. In the program list, locate the version of QuickBooks you have installed.

To verify which version of QuickBooks was last used to open the file, refer to How do I determine the QuickBooks version last used to open a company file.  If you were using a newer version of QuickBooks the last time you successfully opened the company file, then you will need to make sure that version of QuickBooks is installed and selected in the Tool when performing the reset.

The QuickBooks Automated Password Reset Tool will not work for QuickBooks Accounts for Mac company files.  Please see Why are you no longer selling and supporting QuickBooks Accounts for Mac?

Follow these steps to verify that you are resetting the password for the correct company file:
1. Open QuickBooks and click Cancel when prompted to log in. The No Company Open window displays.
2. Select the company file with the lost password by clicking it once.
3. Make a note of the location (file path) of the file that displays in the following window:

Note:  For alternative methods of finding the path to your company file, please refer to the following FAQs:  Finding a file on a computer that is running Windows or How do I find my QuickBooks file on my computer or How do I find the most current company file.

Confirm that the error you receive shows that the password is incorrect.  Open the company file in QuickBooks.  If you are prompted for the User Name, enter Admin.  If you have a password, enter it.  If you don't have a password, leave the password field blank.  If any error appears other than Incorrect Password, or if the file does not open, then please contact Product Support for assistance (charges apply).

• If the company file is new or there are not many transactions entered, consider starting a new company file.
• If you recently created or changed the password, restore a recent backup that was made before you created the new or changed the old password.  To safely restore the backup without overwriting an existing company file, refer to How do I restore a backup company file (local backup) or Restore a Portable Company File:

1. Locate the backup for your company file by searching for [company filename].qbb or [company filename].qbm (portable file).
2. Review the original company file to determine what data must be re-entered.  Any information entered in the company file since the backup was created will need to be entered manually after you restore the backup.  It is not possible to export transactions from a QuickBooks company file.

If this solution does not resolve the issue, then you can read discussions and post messages and questions relating to your issue on the Intuit Canada QuickBooks Community site. We also have a Password Removal Service available. Fees apply.