QuickBooks error 88888: bank feed connection fix and workaround
Quick answer
Error 88888 is a QuickBooks Desktop bank feed error that appears at the end of connecting or reconnecting an account. In Intuit community threads it is reported mostly with Bank of America after the bank moved QuickBooks Desktop users to a new connection. Try disconnecting the old feed, updating QuickBooks Desktop, and reconnecting with the bank's current connection option. If it still fails, contact Intuit support, and in the meantime import the missing transactions from a file so your books don't fall behind.
What error 88888 looks like
Users describe getting through the bank sign-in and account selection, then seeing a message along the lines of "Sorry, we've run into a problem. QuickBooks is having trouble connecting to Bank of America" with error 88888. Some also see a note that all accounts for the customer ID are already synced, even though no transactions came through.
The reports are from QuickBooks Desktop, not QuickBooks Online, and center on Bank of America's switch to a newer connection for Desktop. Treat other causes as possible too: an outdated QuickBooks release or a stale connection left over from an older setup can produce the same dead end.
Fixes to try, in order
- Update QuickBooks Desktop: Help > Update QuickBooks Desktop, install the latest release, and restart.
- Deactivate the old connection: Lists > Chart of Accounts, edit the bank account, open Bank Feed Settings, and deactivate all online services for that account.
- Reconnect using the bank's current connection option for QuickBooks Desktop (for Bank of America, the newer listing rather than the one you used before).
- If you have several accounts at the same bank, try connecting one account first.
- If the error repeats, contact Intuit support and quote error 88888 - in community threads Intuit has escalated affected company files for direct help.
Keep your books current while the feed is down
A broken feed doesn't have to mean a backlog. QuickBooks Desktop imports Web Connect (.QBO) files, so you can bring transactions in from a file and let the feed catch up later:
- If your bank's website offers a QuickBooks / Web Connect download for your account, use that.
- If it doesn't - some users report Bank of America no longer offers it for their accounts - download the PDF statement and convert it to a QBO file, then import it through File > Utilities > Import > Web Connect Files.
- Review the imported rows in the Bank Feeds center and match them to anything already entered.
Avoiding duplicates when the feed comes back
When the connection is restored, the bank feed may re-download transactions you already imported from a file. Review each downloaded transaction in the Bank Feeds center and match it to the existing entry rather than adding it, then reconcile the account against the statement's ending balance to confirm nothing is doubled or missing.
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Frequently asked questions
What is QuickBooks error 88888?
A QuickBooks Desktop bank feed error that appears when connecting or reconnecting a bank account fails at the final step. Intuit community reports link it mostly to Bank of America's newer connection for Desktop.
Does error 88888 affect QuickBooks Online?
The reports are from QuickBooks Desktop. QuickBooks Online has its own bank connection errors with different codes.
How do I fix error 88888 with Bank of America?
Update QuickBooks Desktop, deactivate the old bank feed for the account, and reconnect using Bank of America's current QuickBooks Desktop connection. If it still fails, contact Intuit support and quote the error code.
How can I get transactions into QuickBooks while the bank feed is broken?
Import a Web Connect (.QBO) file. If your bank doesn't offer one, convert the PDF statement to QBO and import it through File > Utilities > Import > Web Connect Files.
Will importing a file now cause duplicates later?
It can if you accept re-downloaded transactions as new. Match them to the existing entries in the Bank Feeds center, then reconcile to the statement balance.