QuickBooks Online Bank Feed Not Updating? Fix Sync Errors Fast (2026)

Your bookkeeping isn’t broken — your bank connection is.

If your QuickBooks Online (QBO) bank feed is stuck on “Last updated,” missing new transactions, or throwing sync errors, don’t start doing manual workarounds blindly. Most feed failures come from one of three buckets:

  • Auth/Policy: password change, MFA prompt, expired consent, bank security block

  • Software/Session: browser cache, blocked pop-ups, stale auth token

  • Bank/Aggregator: bank maintenance, throttling, “data middleman” downtime

Follow this order: safe fixes first, surgical fixes last.

Key Takeaways

  • If one bank is broken → it’s usually bank auth/maintenance (Step 2, 4–6)

  • If all banks are broken → it’s usually your browser/network/session (Step 3, 5)

  • If you see duplicates after reconnect → use a clean Undo → Exclude workflow (Step 7)

  • If you’re on a deadline → manual upload is your backup plan (Step 8)

Bank Feed Error Code Cheat Sheet

Error Code What it usually means What to do
103 / 108 Login mismatch (password/user changed) Re-auth / update credentials (Step 5)
102 / 105 Bank-side server issue Wait + retry later (Step 2)
324 / 106 Account can’t be found / closed / not eligible Verify account + reconnect mapping (Step 6)
185 Extra verification needed (MFA/OTP) Complete MFA + re-auth (Step 4–5)

Use this table to quickly diagnose the issue without random guessing.

Step 0: Diagnosis

A) Feed shows “Last updated” and won’t refresh → Step 1–3
B) It prompts sign-in but loops/fails → Step 4–6
C) Transactions import, but duplicates appear → Step 7
D) You need transactions today → Step 8
E) Only one account (credit card) fails → Step 2 + Step 6

Step 1: Refresh the session (safe and fast)

Before touching credentials:

  1. Go to Banking (Transactions) → click Update

  2. Wait 60–90 seconds

  3. If nothing changes: log out, close the tab, reopen, log back in

Step 2: Confirm it’s not a bank-side issue

If only one bank is failing, assume:

  • bank maintenance, or

  • a security prompt that requires re-authorization

Check:

  • Can you log into the bank website/app normally?

  • Did you get a “new device sign-in” email from the bank?

  • Did the bank change password/MFA rules recently?

How the connection actually works (Aggregator/OAuth)

QBO bank feeds often run through a third-party data aggregator using OAuth/API-style permissions. Sometimes the bank is fine and QBO is fine—yet the middle layer is throttling or down. That’s why some errors look random.

Step 3: Fix browser issues and cross-check with mobile

Bank feeds are sensitive to stale cookies and blocked pop-ups.

3A) Browser reset

Try:

  • QBO in an incognito/private window

  • A different browser (Chrome ↔ Edge ↔ Safari)

  • Allow pop-ups for QBO

3B) Extension suspects

Temporarily pause these for QBO:

  • Aggressive ad blockers

  • Password managers (can break bank auth pop-ups)

  • VPN or privacy extensions

3C) Mobile cross-check

Open the QBO mobile app → Banking/Transactions → try updating.

  • If mobile works but desktop doesn’t: it’s your desktop browser/network/extensions

  • If mobile also fails: it’s likely bank/aggregator/QBO-side, not your computer

Step 4: Resolve MFA/OTP verification issues

If QBO keeps asking you to sign in:

  • Confirm you can receive MFA codes (SMS/email/authenticator)

  • Approve “new login” prompts in the bank app

  • If available, set up “trusted device” in the bank app, then retry

Error 185 usually indicates incomplete additional verification.

Step 5: Reconnect without disconnecting (preferred)

Before disconnecting anything:

  • Banking/Transactions → locate the affected account

  • Use Reconnect / Edit sign-in / Update credentials (labels vary)

  • Complete the authorization flow fully (don’t close the pop-up early)

This preserves rules and reduces duplicate-risk.

Step 6: Disconnect and reconnect (the clean way)

If Step 5 fails repeatedly, a hard reset may be required.

Disconnect does not delete posted transactions

  • Safe: transactions you already Added/Categorized into QBO (Register / “Categorized” tab) remain in your books.

  • At risk: transactions still sitting in For Review can disappear during disconnect/reconnect.

Before disconnecting, screenshot/export the For Review list or process important items.

Clean reconnect checklist

  1. Screenshot your current bank-to-QBO account mapping

  2. Disconnect the feed for that account

  3. Reconnect and match each bank account to the correct QBO account

  4. Watch for any “pull start date/date range” option (if available)

  5. Reconnect one account at a time to avoid mismatches

If you see 324/106, confirm the account is open and eligible for feeds.

Step 7: Fix duplicate transactions with Undo → Exclude

Duplicates usually occur because the reconnect pulls overlapping dates.

If duplicates are still “For Review”

  • Select true duplicates → Exclude

  • Avoid mass-adding before scanning Amount + Date patterns

If duplicates were already added

  1. Go to the Categorized tab

  2. Find the duplicate entries

  3. Click Undo to send them back to For Review

  4. In For Review, Exclude them

This is safer than deleting posted entries and helps keep reconciliation clean.

Step 8: Deadline mode — Manual Upload (.QBO vs CSV)

If you need transactions today (close, payroll, taxes), upload files from your bank.

File format priority

  1. .QBO (Web Connect) — preferred (QuickBooks-native; typically imports with minimal mapping)

  2. CSV — use if .QBO isn’t available (more date/amount mapping friction)

Step 9: Best Practices to prevent recurring failures

  • Avoid unnecessary password rotations

  • Keep MFA methods stable (primary + backup)

  • Use a dedicated finance email inbox for security alerts

  • Avoid shared logins (higher lockout risk)

🔐 Protect your accounting tools like cash.
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FAQ

Q1) Why is my QuickBooks bank feed not updating?
Common causes include expired authorization, MFA loops, browser cache/extensions blocking auth pop-ups, or bank/aggregator maintenance.

Q2) Will disconnecting delete my transactions?
No. Transactions already added to the Register/Categorized remain. Items still in “For Review” can disappear, so export or process them first.

Q3) How do I tell if it’s my computer or the bank?
Use the QBO mobile app to update the feed. If mobile works, it’s a desktop browser/network/extension issue. If mobile fails too, it’s likely external.

Q4) What’s the best file to upload manually?
Use .QBO (Web Connect) if available. CSV is more error-prone due to mapping.

Wrap-up

  1. Update + log out/in

  2. Incognito + disable extensions (ad blocker/password manager/VPN)

  3. Mobile cross-check

  4. Re-auth + complete MFA

  5. Disconnect/reconnect only if needed (Disconnect ≠ Delete)

  6. Duplicates: Undo → Exclude

  7. Deadline: upload .QBO and keep moving

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute accounting, legal, or financial advice. Product interfaces and bank policies can change. Consult a qualified accountant if you’re unsure.

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