QuickBooks Error 3140 | Simple Fixes For This Error Code

The QuickBooks error 3140 signals an incorrect reference to receivables or payables within a receipt or bill. It may also point to issues with the expense account. Address this problem promptly to ensure effective management of your accounts. To manage expenses more effectively, QuickBooks allows you to import invoices directly from an Excel worksheet or text file into your company file.

You might experience QuickBooks error 3140 when entering sales orders or invoices. Additionally, you may see an error stating: “QuickBooks error message: invalid argument. The specified record does not exist in the list.” If you are facing QuickBooks error message 3140, please refer to the full article for comprehensive troubleshooting steps.

What Is QuickBooks Error 3140?

The QuickBooks error code 3140 can occur when a user tries to update the software. This error may also appear during the application’s startup or shutdown and when the Windows Operating System is involved. Additionally, QuickBooks error code 3140 may occur when the user enters sales orders or invoices or imports them from Excel or a text file into a QuickBooks company file.

In any case, this error disrupts the user’s workflow and hampers performance. Therefore, understanding its causes and resolving them is essential to prevent issues. Several factors may trigger QuickBooks Desktop error 3140. To fix this error, it’s crucial first to identify the potential causes.

Causes for the QuickBooks Error 3140

Error 3140 may occur for various reasons, as outlined in the list below:

• A common cause of the error is improper installation or a corrupted download of the QuickBooks application.
• A partial or faulty installation of QuickBooks may trigger error code 3140.
• Infections resulting from virus or malware attacks.
• Unintentional removal of crucial QuickBooks files.
• Issues in the Windows registry may also cause the QuickBooks error 3140.
• An outdated QuickBooks Web Connector may result in the QuickBooks error 3140. 
• Including special characters in invoices or product names may trigger this error.
• Entering the tax code in QuickBooks can be tricky, and any mistake may result in this error.
• Accessing files on a different computer in multi-user mode may lead to this error. 

Understanding these reasons alone won’t suffice. It’s essential to verify if QuickBooks error 3140 exists on your system before you begin troubleshooting. Let’s explore the signs and indicating factors associated with this error.

Indicating Factors for QuickBooks Error 3140

Here is a list of symptoms to help you recognize QuickBooks error 3140:

• Initially, QuickBooks error code 3140 will appear on your screen, causing your active program window to crash.
• You may repeatedly encounter the error while running the same program.
• The desktop freezes for short durations.
• Slow response of Windows to mouse and keyboard inputs.
• Accessing files stored on a different server in multi-user mode will be cumbersome.
• An error might prevent you from updating your program.
• Applications such as Notepad, PC, and others may also face delays and frequent crashes because of this error.

Addressing QuickBooks Error Message 3140

As QuickBooks displays any of the three messages noted earlier, let’s explore how to resolve them promptly:

Status code 3140 or 3120: Invalid Specified Account

This error message is displayed because of improperly mapped accounts. To fix QuickBooks error message 3140, follow these steps:

• Start your QuickBooks Desktop Point Of Sale.
• Go to the File menu and select Preferences.
• Next, select the Company option, navigate to the Financial tab, and choose Accounts. 
• Select the Basic and Advanced tabs. Verify the account mappings to ensure their accuracy. Click Save, and if you notice brackets around an account name, it means it has yet to be mapped.
• Manage the financial exchange and check if it operates without errors.

Status code 3140: Invalid Reference to AR/AP Account

This error arises from improper mapping and reveals the location of the incorrect settings. To address this message, follow these steps:

• Launch QuickBooks Desktop POS and navigate to the File menu.
• Navigate to Preferences and select Company.
• In the Financial section, choose the Accounts option.
• Make sure to map the accounts to the corresponding A/R and A/P types, then save the settings.
• Now, attempt the financial exchange.

Status code 3140: Invalid QuickBooks Account Reference

This error message typically occurs when the item account mapped in QuickBooks POS is incorrect. It can also result from an account for inactive or deleted items in QuickBooks Financial. To resolve this, follow these steps:

• Open the QuickBooks Financial application and navigate to Lists menu.
• Next, select Chart of Accounts.
• Select Accounts, then select the option to Show Inactive Accounts. 
• An X will appear next to the names of inactive accounts.
• Click the X or click right the account to choose the Make Account Active option. 
• Next, attempt a different financial transaction to check if the error continues.

If QuickBooks error code 3140 arises for other reasons or does not show these error messages, consider trying these methods.

Fixations For QuickBooks Error 3140

To fix QuickBooks error 3140, address its underlying causes. Carefully follow the solutions outlined below:

Fix 1: Clean Junk Files

First, clean your system’s junk files by following these steps:

• Select the Windows Start icon, then enter cmd in the provided area.
• Press the Ctrl and Shift keys simultaneously on your keyboard, then hit Enter.
• If a pop-up dialogue box shows up on your screen, click Yes.
• Next, a black window will appear, prompting you to type “Cleanmgr” and hit the Enter key.
• When the disk clean-up box appears, select your options and click OK to complete the process.

If error 3140 QuickBooks persists, consider the next solution.

Read More: Fixes For QuickBooks Error 2107 (When Sending Paychecks)

Fix 2: Install System Updates

To troubleshoot this issue, install the latest system updates to fix the error.

• Select the Windows Start icon and enter Update in the search field.
• Press Enter to display a new Windows dialogue box on your screen.
• Verify if new updates are available, then click on the Install Updates option.

If you continue to face QuickBooks error message 3140, proceed to the next solution.

Fix 3: Update System Drivers

To update drivers for fixing the QuickBooks error 3140, follow the steps below:

• Select the Settings option, then choose Update and Security.
• Next, choose Windows Update, then click on Check for Updates.
• Use the on-screen prompts to download and install a new driver on your system to complete the task.

Fix 4: Repair Registry Entries

Identify all registry entries associated with error 3140 and repair them. To start this process, follow these steps:

• Open Start and enter command in the search field to see the results. 
• Press Ctrl and Shift simultaneously, then click Enter on the command prompt icon when the option appears. 
• When a permission dialog appears, click Yes, and a blank black window with a blinking cursor will show up on your screen.

• Type regedit and hit Enter.
• The Registry Editor will launch, and you should locate the error key associated with 3140. Remember to back up this file.
• Navigate to the Export option found in the File menu.

• Locate the folder where you want to save the backup from the save-in options.
• Enter a name for the backup file in the designated box.
• Select the branch in the Export range box. 
• Select the save option and save the file as a .reg extension.
• End the process by saving a backup of the registry entries associated with QuickBooks. 

Fix 5: Scan Malware through Antivirus

Shield your system against infections such as viruses or malware. If you have antivirus software installed, start and finish the scanning process.

Fix 6: Install Clean QuickBooks Software

Installing the QuickBooks application again may resolve various errors in your system. Here are the steps to do it:

• Begin the program uninstallation via the Control Panel. 
• Open the Control Panel window and choose the Uninstall a program option under the Programs and Features tab.
• Select QuickBooks from the list of applications currently installed on your device.
• Remove all QuickBooks files and clean your system. 
• Once you uninstall the application, you must reinstall it to resume functionality. 
• This time, download QuickBooks from a legitimate source and check if the installation succeeds.
• Have the product information and license number ready for when you need to enter them. 
• After completing the process, configure your application to check if the error still occurs.

Fix 7: Initiate System File Checker

The system file checker is a tool designed to help diagnose and fix damaged files or corrupt files on your system. You can use it in the following manner:

• Access the Run dialog by pressing the Windows key and R keys simultaneously. 
• Next, enter cmd to open the System File Checker window. 
• Type sfc/Scannow in the command prompt and press Enter to start the scan. 
• After completion, check your PC for any QuickBooks error codes with the scan and resume normal operation. 

Fix 8: Update Windows

Keep your Windows OS current by installing the latest security patches for optimal protection and performance. Here’s how to check for updates:

• Click the Start icon and enter ‘update’ into the search box. 
• Choose the Windows Update setting, then click on Check for Updates. 
• Select the appropriate update boxes on the screen and start the download of updates.
• After completion, restart your PC to install the updates successfully.

Fix 9: Execute a Fresh Installation of Windows

To eradicate this issue permanently, you can clean up the installation in QuickBooks. The steps for a clean installation are as follows:

• Begin by removing the software. 
• Additionally, rename the folders by hand. 
• Additionally, reinstall the software. 
• This procedure could resolve any problems in QuickBooks.

Conclusion

The solutions outlined in this article may assist you in resolving QuickBooks error code 3140. If you cannot fix the issue with the provided solutions, please call the QuickBooks Desktop Support Helpline at +1 (844)-214-9614 for further assistance with error 3140.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the error code 3140 in QuickBooks?

The Status code 3140 indicates an improper reference to the QuickBooks AR Account “###### – #########”. This error arises when accounts aren’t mapped correctly in Point of Sale. The error message highlights the incorrect configuration, so it’s essential to verify that your A/R account is mapped accurately.

Q2. How do I fix a QuickBooks registration error?

If you’re struggling to register QuickBooks, consider trying these options:

• Update QuickBooks. 
• Restart your computer. 
• Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. 
• Perform a clean install. 
• Check the product code. 
• Rename the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file. 
• Update your operating system and antivirus software. 
• Repair the Microsoft .NET Framework.

Q3. How do I fix the QuickBooks error 3140?

Here are a few suggestions for resolving QuickBooks error 3140:

• Check sales tax settings. 
• Update or reinstall QuickBooks. 
• Verify and rebuild data. 
• Check for malware. 
• Activate item account. 
• Correct account mapping. 
• Verify company preferences. 
• Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.

Q4. What are the causes of QuickBooks error 3140?

Error 3140 in QuickBooks may stem from several factors, including:

• If the accounts in QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale are incorrectly mapped.
• If there are inactive or deleted accounts in QuickBooks.
• If the QuickBooks installation is corrupted.
• If the Windows registry has been damaged.
• If QuickBooks is out of date.
• If there is an invalid reference to a sales tax code on the invoice line.

Q5. What are the symptoms of QuickBooks error 3140?

The following are the symptoms of QuickBooks error 3140: 

• The system or QuickBooks app might experience crashes, freezing, or lagging issues.
• There may also be a lag in the mouse and keyboard.
• Updating QuickBooks can be challenging.
• Financial transfers between QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks POS may fail to function correctly.
• Windows may occasionally freeze or crash.