# QBWC1013: Error connecting to QuickBooks
Source: https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/qbwc1013-error-connecting/

> Fix QBWC1013 "Error connecting to QuickBooks" by reading the QuickBooks message that follows it and going to the matching fix.

The Web Connector reached our server, but QuickBooks on your computer refused to start a session for the update. `QBWC1013` is the Web Connector's general code for that. The real reason is in the message from QuickBooks that follows it.

## What you see

In the Web Connector log, `C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QBWebConnector\log\QWCLog.txt`, a line starts with:

> QBWC1013: Error connecting to QuickBooks.

A message from QuickBooks follows on the same line or the next. The app's row in the Web Connector may show "Last result: Application requested to abort" in the **Status** column. The app itself shows its own message, such as that QuickBooks could not start or that a different company file is open.

## Why it happens

Intuit's programmer's guide lists the most common causes as QuickBooks not running, no company file open, or a window open in QuickBooks. It also names a mismatch in Windows permission levels between QuickBooks and the Web Connector. Each of these has its own QuickBooks message after the code.

## How to fix it

Find the QuickBooks message after `QBWC1013` in the log, or in the app's message, and follow the matching row.

| The message after QBWC1013 | Go to |
| --- | --- |
| "Could not start QuickBooks." | [QuickBooks could not be started](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/cannot-start-quickbooks/). If QuickBooks is open with another company file, see [A different company file is open](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/wrong-company-file/). |
| Mentions a different company file than the one requested | [A different company file is open](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/wrong-company-file/) |
| Says QuickBooks could not find or open the file | [The company file cannot be found](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/company-file-not-found/) |
| Mentions single-user mode, or that the file is in use | [Single-user or multi-user mode conflict](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/single-user-multi-user/) |
| Mentions permission, or that the application is not allowed to access the file | [QuickBooks denied access to the app](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/access-denied/) |
| "Retrieving the COM class factory … failed", `80040154` or "Unable to cast COM object" | [Unable to cast COM object](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/com-object-error/) |

A window open in QuickBooks usually shows up as `QBWC1053` rather than `QBWC1013`. See [A QuickBooks window is blocking the connection](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/modal-dialog-open/).

If you cannot find a message, or none of these match:

1. On the computer that runs the Web Connector, open QuickBooks and the company file the app uses. Close any open QuickBooks windows, such as a reminder or an update prompt.
2. Check that QuickBooks and the Web Connector run at the same permission level. See [Run QuickBooks and the Web Connector at the same permission level](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/guides/run-as-administrator/).
3. In the Web Connector, tick the app and click **Update Selected**.
4. If that works, the problem is QuickBooks starting in the background. See [How the Web Connector opens QuickBooks](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/guides/no-company-open/).

## How to check it worked

The app's row in the Web Connector finishes an update without an error in the **Status** column, and the log shows no new `QBWC1013` line. Try the action in the app again.

## When to contact the app's support

Contact them if `QBWC1013` keeps appearing after you followed the matching page. Send the time, the full `QBWC1013` line and the lines after it from `QWCLog.txt`, and a screenshot of the Web Connector window.

## Related pages

- [QuickBooks Web Connector error codes](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/qbwc-codes/)
- [How the Web Connector opens QuickBooks](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/guides/no-company-open/)
- [QuickBooks could not be started](https://www.desktopaccountingapi.com/docs/help/connection-errors/cannot-start-quickbooks/)

Source: Intuit, [QuickBooks Web Connector Programmer's Guide](https://static.developer.intuit.com/resources/QBWC_proguide.pdf), Appendix A, entry `QBWC1013`.