How to Improve QuickBooks Performance: 8 Simple Steps for Faster Software

QuickBooks has long been a go-to solution for small businesses managing their finances, but like any powerful software, it can occasionally run into performance issues. Whether you’re using QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop, slowdowns and lags can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're trying to complete important tasks. The good news? Many performance issues are easily fixable—and in some cases, you can speed up QuickBooks in just a few minutes.

In this article, we’ll walk through the most common performance issues QuickBooks users face and provide actionable tips to get your software running faster.

1. Free Up Your Computer’s Resources

One of the most common reasons QuickBooks runs slowly is that your computer doesn't have enough resources (memory or CPU power) to handle the software efficiently. This is particularly true for QuickBooks Desktop, which requires sufficient processing power and memory to handle large data files.

Quick Fixes to Speed Up QuickBooks:

• Close Unnecessary Programs: Running multiple applications at once can drain your computer’s resources. Close any unnecessary software and background applications to free up memory and CPU power.

• Increase Virtual Memory: On Windows, you can increase your computer's virtual memory (also known as paging file). This can help boost performance when physical RAM is maxed out.

• Upgrade Your RAM: If your computer has less than 8GB of RAM, it might be time to upgrade. This can dramatically improve QuickBooks’ performance, especially for larger companies with more complex data files.

2. Clear Your Cache and Temporary Files

When QuickBooks is sluggish, one of the first things you should try is clearing out your cache and temporary files. Over time, these files can build up and slow down your computer’s performance, especially for QuickBooks Online users.

How to Clear Your Cache and Temp Files:

• For QuickBooks Online Users:

  1. Open your browser settings.

  2. Navigate to the section for clearing browsing data.

  3. Select “Cookies and Cached Files” and clear them.

  4. Restart your browser and log back into QuickBooks Online.

• For QuickBooks Desktop Users:

  1. Close QuickBooks and navigate to the “C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks” folder.

  2. Delete any temporary files that are taking up unnecessary space.

  3. Restart QuickBooks and check if it performs better.

3. Update Your QuickBooks Software

Sometimes, the issue isn't your system—it’s the software itself. QuickBooks frequently releases updates that fix bugs and improve overall performance. If you're running an outdated version, you could be missing out on important fixes.

How to Update QuickBooks:

• QuickBooks Online: QuickBooks Online automatically updates, but make sure you’re on the latest version by refreshing your browser or clearing your cache.

• QuickBooks Desktop: To update, go to the “Help” menu and select “Update QuickBooks.” From there, you can check for available updates and install them.

4. Reduce the Size of Your Company File

For QuickBooks Desktop users, a large company file can lead to serious slowdowns. If your company file is over 200MB, you might notice lag or crashes. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce file size without losing important data.

How to Reduce Your Company File Size:

• Condense Data: If you're working with older data, you can condense or archive transactions from previous years. This can significantly reduce the size of your file and boost performance.

  • Go to File > Utilities > Condense Data and follow the prompts.

• Rebuild the File: If the file is damaged or corrupted, it may cause QuickBooks to slow down. You can rebuild the file by going to File > Utilities > Rebuild Data.

5. Switch to a Faster Internet Connection

For QuickBooks Online users, a slow or unstable internet connection can cause lag and delays. Since QuickBooks Online relies heavily on cloud-based servers, your internet speed is directly tied to its performance.

Speeding Up Your Internet:

• Use a Wired Connection: If possible, connect your computer directly to your router via Ethernet cable. Wired connections tend to be more stable and faster than wireless ones.

• Check Your Internet Speed: Test your internet speed using online tools like Speedtest.net. QuickBooks Online recommends a minimum of 10 Mbps download speed for optimal performance.

• Upgrade Your Plan: If you're experiencing constant slowdowns, consider upgrading your internet plan for faster speeds.

6. Optimize Your QuickBooks Preferences

Sometimes, tweaking QuickBooks settings can help it run more smoothly. By adjusting certain preferences, you can improve performance without making major changes to your system.

Key Settings to Optimize:

• Turn Off Automatic Updates: If QuickBooks is constantly checking for updates in the background, it could be slowing down your workflow. Turn off automatic updates and only check for updates when you need them.

  • Go to Edit > Preferences > General and uncheck the automatic update option.

• Limit the Number of Open Windows: Having too many windows open in QuickBooks can slow things down. Try to limit the number of windows you have open at once to improve performance.

7. Run QuickBooks as Administrator (for Desktop Users)

Running QuickBooks with administrative privileges can sometimes speed things up by allowing the software to access the necessary system resources it needs.

How to Run QuickBooks as Administrator:

1. Right-click on the QuickBooks icon.

2. Select Run as Administrator.

3. Try using QuickBooks again and check if performance improves.

8. Consider Moving to QuickBooks Online

While QuickBooks Desktop is a powerful tool, it’s not always the best fit for businesses experiencing performance issues, especially when using older hardware. If you’ve tried everything to speed up QuickBooks Desktop with no success, it might be time to consider switching to QuickBooks Online.

QuickBooks Online tends to perform better because it’s hosted in the cloud and doesn’t require as much local system power. Plus, QuickBooks Online is updated automatically, so you never have to worry about keeping the software up to date.

Final Thoughts

QuickBooks can sometimes experience slowdowns, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can get your software running at top speed again. Whether you're working with QuickBooks Online or Desktop, the tips above should help you tackle the most common performance issues. By optimizing your system resources, clearing your cache, updating your software, and fine-tuning your settings, you'll get back to running your business with minimal delays.

Don’t let sluggish performance slow you down—try these fixes today, and get your QuickBooks software running faster in just a few minutes.