Fixing QuickBooks Error 1903: Updated Practical Solutions

QuickBooks error 1903 can arise while installing QB Desktop or opening it after the installation. This error code can occur for various reasons, like an outdated Windows OS or damaged Microsoft components. When it comes to resolving the error, updating Windows and using the QB Install Diagnostic Tool can help. To learn more about why this error occurs and how to resolve it, keep reading this article till the end.

Error code 1903 is a crucial error that needs to be resolved on time to ensure a seamless QB installation. Self-troubleshooting this error might not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you need expert guidance in fixing the error, reach out to our support team by dialing TFN.

What are the Leading Reasons for QuickBooks Error 1903 During Installation? (Updated)

There can be various reasons for facing such an installation error in QB. Before troubleshooting this error, you must know these reasons to identify the best troubleshooting approach. The following leading reasons are responsible for the QuickBooks installation error 1903 –

• Essential QuickBooks installation files might be damaged or corrupted, thus hindering the installation process.
• There are issues with the QB Desktop, as the installation has not been performed correctly.
• Your Windows OS version might be outdated, causing compatibility issues while installing QB.
• There are issues with the system files, such as damage or corruption.
• Crucial Microsoft components, like the .NET Framework or the MSXML component, might be damaged or corrupted.
• There is a malware or virus infection in your system affecting QB. 
• The Network Data and Transaction Log files in QBDT might be damaged or corrupted.

These are the various reasons for installation problems in QB Desktop. Let’s move to the next section to learn how to troubleshoot this error effectively.

Effective Solutions to Fix Error 1903 While Installing QuickBooks (Updated)

You need to resolve this installation error on time; otherwise, you won’t be able to install QuickBooks Desktop on your system. To address this QB error, perform the practical solutions mentioned below –

Solution 1 – Run the QB Install Diagnostic Tool

Installation issues in QuickBooks leading to QuickBooks error 1903 can be fixed by running an installation repair. You can use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool to resolve the installation issues by running a quick scan in the following manner –

1. Firstly, download and install the latest QuickBooks Tool Hub version (1.6.0.5) on your PC and launch it.
2. Now, use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool to run a scan and fix the installation issues in QB Desktop.

After running the tool, try installing QuickBooks again and check the error status. If the installation error persists, follow the next troubleshooting solution.

Solution 2 – Update the Windows OS to the Latest Release

An outdated Windows operating system can cause compatibility issues while installing QuickBooks. This can be a significant reason why QuickBooks won’t install error 1903. To fix the error, update your Windows OS in the following manner –

1. Go to the Windows Start menu, move to the Settings tab, and click Windows Update.
2. Next, select the Check for Updates option, and if Windows updates are available, install them.

Once the Windows OS is updated, retry installing QuickBooks. However, if the installation error keeps appearing, move to the next troubleshooting solution.

Solution 3 – Manually Fix the Microsoft .NET Framework

If the Microsoft .NET Framework is damaged, you won’t be able to install QuickBooks Desktop. This can lead to installation errors, like QuickBooks error code 1903. To fix this error, manually repair the .NET Framework in the following manner –

Step 1 – Find the Microsoft .NET Framework

Firstly, find the .NET Framework on the list by implementing the following steps –

Note: The steps to fix .NET Framework 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, and 4.8 are the same, and the steps mentioned below apply only to Windows 10 and later versions.

1. Exit all the open programs and go to the Windows Start menu, then type “Control Panel” in the search bar.
2. Open the Control Panel, go to the Programs or Features menu, and select Uninstall a Program.
3. Now, select the Turn Windows Features On or Off option and locate the Microsoft .NET Framework in the list.

Once found, follow the next step to check the settings for .NET Framework 4.5 (or later).

Step 2 – Check the .NET Framework 4.5 (or Later) Settings

You need to check the settings for .NET Framework 4.5 (or later), then undertake the following steps based on whether the checkbox is selected or not –

If the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 (or Later) Checkbox isn’t Checkmarked –

In case the .NET Framework 4.5 (or later) checkbox isn’t checked, go through the following step –

1. Select the checkbox to turn on .NET Framework 4.5 (or later), then hit OK to save your changes and restart your PC.

If the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 (or Later) Checkbox is Already Marked –

If the .NET Framework 4.5 (or later) checkbox is already selected, implement the following steps –

1. Firstly, select the checkbox to turn off .NET Framework 4.5 (or later), and don’t turn it back on.
2. Further, select OK to save the changes, restart your computer, and sign in again. 
3. When you’re signed back into your Windows OS, mark the checkbox to turn on .NET Framework 4.5 again.

Once done, move to step 3 to check the settings for .NET Framework 3.5 SPI.

Step 3 – Check the .NET Framework 3.5 SPI Settings

Follow the steps below based on whether the .NET Framework 3.5 SPI checkbox is selected or not –

If the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SPI Checkbox is not Marked –

Go through the following step if the checkbox for .NET Framework 3.5 SPI isn’t selected –

1. Mark the checkbox to turn on .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, click OK to save the changes, and restart the PC.

If the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SPI Checkbox is Already Marked –

If the checkbox is already selected for .NET Framework 3.5 SPI, implement the following steps –

1. Select the checkbox to turn off .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, click OK, and don’t turn it back on.
2. Next, restart your computer, sign back into Windows, and mark the checkbox to turn on the .NET Framework 3.5 SPI.

Note: Consult your IT professional for assistance if you can’t turn the framework on or off.

After the framework is repaired, try installing QuickBooks Desktop again. If you still encounter the installation error, follow the next troubleshooting solution.

Solution 4 – Repair Microsoft MSXML 

Damaged Microsoft MSXML can prevent users from installing QB Desktop. To fix the damage, register the MSXML DLL files in the following manner –

For a 64-bit Operating System

To register the MSXML files on a 64-bit OS, implement the following steps –

1. Open the Windows Start menu, type “cmd” in the search box, and right-click cmd.
2. Further, select the Run as Administrator option, then at the C: prompt, type cd\windows\syswow64.
3. Further, type regsvr32 MSXML6.dll, press Enter, and try installing QB Desktop again once it is registered.

For a 32-bit Operating System

If you use a 32-bit OS, follow the steps below to register the MSXML files –

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run window, then type “cmd” in the command box and hit Enter.
2. Type regsvr32 MSXML6.dll, press Enter, and install QuickBooks again once the MSXML files are registered is registered.

Now, check if you can install QB and if QuickBooks Desktop error 1903 is fixed. However, if the installation error persists, move to the next solution.

Solution 5 – Reinstall QB in a Selective Startup Mode

If none of the above solutions work and you are unable to install QB, try running the installation process in Windows Selective Startup Mode. Using this mode, you can install QBDT on your PC without interruptions from other applications.

Now, check if you can install and run QuickBooks without issues. However, if QuickBooks error 1903 persists, follow the next solution.

Solution 6 – Run a Scan with the System File Checker Tool

Since issues with the system files can lead to installation errors in QB, you need to scan these files. You can use the System File Checker tool to scan the system files for issues in the following manner –

1. Firstly, open the Run window by pressing the Windows + R keys, then type “cmd” in the command box.
2. Right-click the command prompt program, choose the Run as Administrator option, and open the Command Prompt window.
3. Further, type “SFC/Scannow” in the window and hit Enter to run the scan.

Once the process ends, verify the system files are fixed and rerun the QB installation. However, if QB error 1903 persists, move to the next troubleshooting solution.

Solution 7 – Rename the QB Network Data and Transaction Log Files

Problems with the configuration files, like the .ND and .TLG can be responsible for error 1903 in QB. To fix the damaged or corrupted Network Data and Transaction Log files, you can rename them in the following manner –

1. Firstly, open the QuickBooks Company File Folder and locate the files with the same name as your company file but with the .ND and .TLG extensions.
2. Now, right-click each file, select Rename, and add .old at the end of the file name. Then, hit Enter to save the changes.

Once the files are renamed, rerun the installation and check if the error is fixed. However, if the error code keeps appearing, follow troubleshooting solution 8 below.

Solution 8 – Run an Anti-Malware Scan on your PC

Malicious attacks or malware infections on your PC can cause issues while installing QuickBooks. To fix error 1903 while installing QuickBooks Desktop, you can run an anti-malware scan on your system in the following manner –

1. Firstly, open the Windows Start menu, go to Settings, and select Update and Security.
2. Next, click Windows Security, select Virus & Threat Protection, and move to the Current Threats section.
3. Lastly, select Quick Scan (if you use Windows 10, select Scan Now from the Threat History section) to run the scan.

After the scan ends, check if any issues are identified, then rerun the QB installation to check if the error is fixed.

Conclusion

We hope this comprehensive guide helps you successfully resolve QuickBooks error 1903. However, if these solutions are ineffective in fixing the installation error, you can contact our support team at 833-802-0002 for immediate assistance.

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