Depending on the Antivirus or Firewall, there may be a time when AccountEdge Network Edition will display the below error when attempting to connect a workstation to a host or the host trying to open its own AccountEdge files. Typically, this message occurs when an Antivirus/Firewall blocks FileConnect's access to the local network, but it can also happen if a network has been changed to a new one (please see your IT professional if this has happened).
The message that appears when the workstation cannot reach the required FileConnect.
There are possible solutions that can potentially resolve this error:
You can first try disabling the Antivirus/Firewall and make sure it's not running in the background, even after disabling it (check Task Manager).
Step 1: Make sure FileConnect is only on the host
FileConnect belongs only on the host computer, the one that physically stores the company file. If it is installed on a workstation, uninstall it there (Settings > Apps > Installed apps, or Control Panel > Uninstall a program).
Step 2: Update AccountEdge and FileConnect
• Update AccountEdge Network Edition on the host and on every workstation to the same, latest build.
• On the host, open AccountEdge NE. On the Welcome window, open the Company File Maintenance menu at the bottom right and choose Download FileConnect. Run the installer on the host with the default options.
• Make sure Bonjour is installed on both the host and the workstation. The installer will prompt you if it is missing.
• Check that the FileConnect version on the host matches the version shown in the message.
If the download is older than the version the message asks for, or the message does not go away after updating, reinstall FileConnect on the host:
1. Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program and uninstall AccountEdge FileConnect.
2. Open the C drive > Program Files and delete the folder "AccountEdge FileConnect".
3. Open the C drive > ProgramData > AccountEdge NE and delete the file "fileconnectsettings.plist".
4. Update AccountEdge NE to the latest build, then download and install FileConnect again from Company File Maintenance > Download FileConnect.
Step 3: Confirm both computers are on the same local network
Network Edition only works when the host and the workstation are on the same local network (LAN). A workstation using a phone hotspot, or one in a different location from the host, cannot connect. If you also changed your network recently, check with your IT professional.
IMPORTANT: If you need to work on your file from another location(REMOTELY), AccountEdge NE might not be the right solution for you
In that case contact us about AccountEdge Hosted.
Step 4: Allow FileConnect through Windows Firewall
Do this on the host computer, where FileConnect runs. When Windows Firewall blocks FileConnect, Windows Security shows a message asking whether to allow public and private networks to access the app. It lists FileConnect from Acclivity LLC. Choose Allow.
Choose Allow when Windows Security asks about FileConnect.
If the message does not appear, add the exception yourself:
1. Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
2. Select Allow an app through firewall, then Change settings.
3. Find FileConnect in the list and check the Private and Public boxes, then click OK.
Allow an app through firewall is under Firewall & network protection.
On the same Firewall & network protection screen, you can turn off the Domain, Private, and Public firewalls briefly to see whether the connection works. If it does, turn the firewalls back on and add the FileConnect exception instead.
Step 5: Connect directly with the IP address and port
If FileConnect is installed and running on the host but the workstation does not find it automatically (through Bonjour), you can connect to it directly. The FileConnect window on the host shows its IP address and port. Enter both on the workstation. For a more reliable connection, set a fixed port between 49152 and 65535 in FileConnect on the host (the default is 50000), and allow that port in your firewall.
Step 6: Check antivirus and Smart App Control
Antivirus software can also block FileConnect. See the list of files to add to your antivirus exceptions below, and ask your IT professional to help if you are not sure how.
On Windows 11, Smart App Control can block apps it does not recognize. You can find it under Windows Security > App & browser control > Smart App Control settings. On some Windows 11 builds, once Smart App Control is turned off it cannot be turned back on without resetting Windows, so try the other steps first and check with your IT professional.
Still seeing the message?
Contact AccountEdge Support and have these ready: the AccountEdge version on the host and on the workstation, the FileConnect version shown in the FileConnect window on the host, whether both computers are on the same network, and a screenshot of the message.
Adding Exceptions inside your firewall:
With the help of an IT professional, there are files that can be added to the exceptions list within your Antivirus/Firewall. Below is a list of file names that are associated with AccountEdge NE and FileConnect:
Files installed with a FileConnect Installer
Windows/System32 folder:
dnssd.dll
gdi32full.dll
mfc140u.dll
MSVCP140.dll
TextShaping.dll
VCRUNTIME140.dll
VCRUNTIME140_1.dll
win32.dll
Program Files/AccountEdge FileConnect Folder:
asdfs_fc.dll
CoreFoundation.dll
CrossPlatform.dll
FileConnect.exe
icudt51.dll
icuin51.dll
icuuc51.dll
libeay32.dll
Microsoft.WindowsAPICodePack.dll
Microsoft.WindowsAPICodePack.Shell.dll
ObsoleteBridge.dll
PDFSharp.dll
ssleay32.dll
ZipArchive.dll