QuickBooks Error 103: What It Means & How to Fix It

Quick Fix: This error means QuickBooks Online can't log into your bank account — your saved credentials are wrong or outdated. Update your bank username and password in QBO.

What Causes Error 103?

1. Your bank password changed — If you updated your password at the bank but didn't update it in QBO, the connection will fail with error 103.
2. Your bank requires a security action — Many banks periodically ask you to verify your identity, accept updated terms, or complete a security challenge. Until you do this on the bank's website, third-party access is blocked.
3. Multi-factor authentication is interfering — If your bank recently enabled or changed MFA settings, QBO may not be able to complete the login process.

How to Fix QuickBooks Error 103

Method 1: Update Your Credentials in QBO

1. Go to Banking (or Transactions → Bank Transactions)
2. Click the pencil/edit icon next to the affected account
3. Click Edit sign-in info
4. Enter your current bank username and password
5. Complete any security questions if prompted
6. Click Update

Method 2: Log Into Your Bank Directly First

1. Open your bank's website in a new tab
2. Log in with your username and password
3. Complete any security prompts — accept terms, verify your phone, answer security questions
4. Navigate around and make sure everything works
5. Go back to QBO and update the bank connection

This clears any pending security holds that block third-party access.

Method 3: Disconnect and Reconnect

If updating credentials doesn't work:

1. In QBO, go to Banking
2. Click the pencil icon → Edit account info → Disconnect this account on save → Save
3. Wait 10 minutes
4. Click Link account and enter your bank credentials fresh
5. Map the account back to the correct QBO account

Your existing downloaded transactions won't be affected.

Method 4: Check for Bank-Specific Login Issues

Some banks have separate "third-party access" passwords or require you to enable data sharing:

1. Log into your bank
2. Look for settings like "Third-party access," "Account aggregation," or "External app connections"
3. Make sure QuickBooks/Intuit is authorized
4. Some banks (especially credit unions) require you to create a separate "data access" password

Still Getting Error 103?

• Contact your bank — ask if third-party data access is enabled and if any security holds are blocking it
• Contact Intuit Support — they can check the connection status on their end
• Try again tomorrow — temporary bank-side issues can cause persistent 103 errors

Prevent This Error in the Future

• Update QBO immediately when you change your bank password — don't wait until the feed breaks
• Log into your bank directly at least monthly to clear any pending security prompts
• Save your bank credentials in a password manager so you always have the current ones handy
• Monitor your bank feed regularly — catch disconnections early

Related Errors

• Error 105 — Bank website has changed, needs re-authentication
• Error 185 — Bank requires additional action on their website
• Error 9999 — General bank connection failure

Tired of fighting QuickBooks errors? Accounting Ketchup catches up and cleans up your books in 3–7 days. From $69/month. Get your price →