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Fix QuickBooks Error 101: Causes and Solution

Published: 11 February, 2026 | Updated: 11 February, 2026

Error Code Experts Staff

Author

Error Code Experts Staff
QuickBooks Error 101

QuickBooks Error 101 occurs when QuickBooks Online fails to connect with your bank account. This error appears during bank feed updates. The issue prevents transaction downloads. The error relates to incorrect bank login credentials or outdated banking details.

This article explains what QuickBooks Error 101 means. The article explains why the error occurs. The article explains how to identify the error. The article provides step-by-step solutions. The article explains prevention methods. The article explains how Error Code Experts can resolve the issue.

If you are experiencing other banking-related errors in QuickBooks, you may also encounter issues like QuickBooks Error OLSU 1013, which similarly affects online banking connectivity.

What is QuickBooks Error 101?

QuickBooks Error 101 is an online banking error. QuickBooks displays this error when it cannot authenticate your bank login credentials. The software blocks the bank feed update process.

QuickBooks Error 101 indicates that the bank server rejected the login attempt. The rejection occurs due to incorrect credentials, expired passwords, or updated security settings. QuickBooks stops downloading transactions after the authentication failure.

QuickBooks Error 101 affects QuickBooks Online users. The error appears during the bank feed refresh process. The error does not impact company file data stored in QuickBooks.

Unlike data damage errors such as QuickBooks Error 6123, 0 or QuickBooks Error 6000, 82, Error 101 only impacts bank authentication.

Why does QuickBooks Error 101 occur?

QuickBooks Error 101 occurs due to authentication failure between QuickBooks and the bank server. The bank denies access when login data does not match.

The main causes are listed below:

  1. The bank username is incorrect.
  2. The bank password is incorrect.
  3. The bank requires multi-factor authentication.
  4. The bank updated its security policies.
  5. The bank website is under maintenance.
  6. The bank account credentials changed recently.
  7. The banking connection expired after 90 days.

Banks require periodic credential revalidation. QuickBooks Error 101 appears when revalidation fails.

How can you identify QuickBooks Error 101?

QuickBooks Error 101 displays specific symptoms. The system generates a banking alert message. The error appears during transaction updates.

You can identify the error using these signs:

  • QuickBooks shows “Error 101: Invalid credentials.”
  • Bank feed stops updating transactions.
  • A message prompts you to verify bank login details.
  • The banking status shows “Action Required.”
  • QuickBooks asks for reauthentication repeatedly.

QuickBooks Error 101 does not crash the software. The error only affects the bank connection module.

What are the steps to fix QuickBooks Error 101?

QuickBooks Error 101 requires credential verification and banking reconnection. Follow the solutions in basic-to-advanced order.

Solution 1: Verify Bank Login Credentials

QuickBooks Error 101 resolves after correct credentials are entered.

Follow these steps:

  1. Open your bank’s official website in a browser.
  2. Enter your bank username and password.
  3. Confirm successful login.
  4. Reset the password from the bank website if login fails.
  5. Return to QuickBooks Online.
  6. Update the bank credentials inside QuickBooks.
  7. Refresh the bank feed.

Correct credentials restore authentication.

Solution 2: Update Banking Connection in QuickBooks

QuickBooks requires manual credential update after password change.

Follow these steps:

  1. Log in to QuickBooks Online.
  2. Click Banking from the left menu.
  3. Select the affected bank account.
  4. Click Edit.
  5. Select Edit Sign-in Info.
  6. Enter updated credentials.
  7. Click Update.

QuickBooks reconnects to the bank after successful authentication.

Solution 3: Check Bank Server Status

QuickBooks Error 101 appears during bank maintenance.

Follow these steps:

  1. Visit the bank’s official website.
  2. Check maintenance or outage notifications.
  3. Contact bank support for confirmation.
  4. Wait until maintenance completes.
  5. Retry updating transactions in QuickBooks.

Bank-side issues resolve after server restoration.

Solution 4: Disconnect and Reconnect Bank Account

QuickBooks resets the banking link after reconnection.

Follow these steps:

  1. Open QuickBooks Online.
  2. Go to Banking.
  3. Select the affected account.
  4. Click Edit.
  5. Select Disconnect this account on save.
  6. Click Save and Close.
  7. Return to Banking.
  8. Click Link Account.
  9. Search for your bank.
  10. Enter login credentials.
  11. Complete authentication.

Reconnection establishes a fresh banking session.

If reconnecting the bank account fails and QuickBooks displays additional system errors, you may need to review advanced errors such as QuickBooks Migration Failed Unexpectedly.

Solution 5: Clear Browser Cache

Browser cache conflicts interrupt authentication.

Follow these steps:

  1. Open browser settings.
  2. Select Privacy and Security.
  3. Click Clear browsing data.
  4. Select Cached images and files.
  5. Confirm clearing.
  6. Restart the browser.
  7. Log in to QuickBooks again.

Clear cache improves banking login performance.

Browser conflicts can also trigger login-related issues such as the QuickBooks Login Loop problem.

Is there an automated tool to fix QuickBooks Error 101?

QuickBooks Online does not require a desktop repair utility for Error 101. The issue relates to login authentication. Credential update resolves the error in most cases.

QuickBooks Tool Hub does not apply to this online error. Manual banking reconnection resolves authentication conflicts.

How can I prevent QuickBooks Error 101 in the future?

QuickBooks Error 101 prevention depends on credential management and banking maintenance awareness.

Update bank passwords carefully. Update credentials inside QuickBooks immediately after password changes. Avoid frequent password resets without updating QuickBooks.

Check bank notifications regularly. Enable bank alerts for security updates. Reconnect bank accounts every 90 days when required.

Maintain secure internet connectivity. Use updated browsers. Clear cache monthly to prevent session conflicts.

Regular monitoring prevents authentication failures.

What if QuickBooks Error 101 is not fixed after troubleshooting?

QuickBooks Error 101 requires advanced review when manual solutions fail. Persistent errors indicate bank security restrictions or OAuth authentication issues.

Professional assistance ensures secure banking reconnection. Experts verify backend authorization tokens. Experts confirm API connectivity with the bank.

Advanced troubleshooting connects directly to expert support.

How can our experts assist you in resolving QuickBooks Error 101?

Error Code Experts provide direct assistance for QuickBooks Error 101. Our team analyzes banking authentication failures. Our experts verify credential mapping. Our experts restore secure bank feeds.

Error Code Experts resolve bank connection conflicts quickly. Our professionals ensure secure reconnection without data loss. Our team provides remote troubleshooting support.

Our specialists restore your QuickBooks banking connection with accuracy and compliance.

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Error Code Experts Staff

Author

Error Code Experts Staff

We are a team of certified IT and financial systems specialists with over 10 years of experience in fixing accounting software issues. We specialize in system integration, data migration, and diagnostics - making it easier for accountants and business owners to resolve complex errors. When not solving technical problems, our team enjoys refining internal tools and sharing practical fixes with the wider accounting community.