Fixing QuickBooks Error 1311 – Source File Not Found

Windows Installer is a component responsible for installing, maintaining, and removing software. It is a software component and application programming interface of Microsoft Windows, which is crucial to running a program’s installation or regular processes. You may fail when installing your accounting program QuickBooks Desktop and encounter QuickBooks error 1311 when the Windows installer states, ‘Source File Not Found.’ It shows the installer is having issues reading or using the installation file. In this comprehensive guide, we will look at the various reasons for error 1311 and the best methods to rectify this.

What Triggers Windows Installer Error 1311 in QuickBooks?

There can be several reasons that trigger QuickBooks error 1311 when installing QuickBooks Desktop. Let’s take a look at the possible causes of the installer error in QuickBooks:

• Data damage or corruption to your Windows components
• Windows Firewall, antivirus or other security applications may blocking the QB files
• Not having proper permissions to run the software installation
• Any damage or corruption to the QuickBooks program files
• Third-party applications may hampering the installation
• The CD installation of QuickBooks might be damaged

Top Ways to QuickBooks Error 1311 When Installing the Software

Now that you understand the error code 1311 and its possible causes, it will be easier to use troubleshooting methods to fix the error. This section will take you through step-by-step instructions to fix the error immediately. Make sure you follow them with extreme care.

1. Install QuickBooks from the Local Storage of your Computer

The installation of software in local storage ensures smoother operations and data security. Installing QuickBooks from your computer may also help you rectify error code 1311. Proceed with the below steps to do so:

• Insert the QuickBooks installation disk in the CD drive and click on Quit and Exit to stop the installation if it automatically starts.
• Launch the File Explorer by pressing the Windows+E keys and open the CD/DVD drive.
• Now, press Windows+A to select all the files on the installation disk and then copy them by pressing Ctrl+C.
• Right-click anywhere in the folder and select the Folder option in the New drop-down menu.
• Paste the copied files here by pressing Ctrl+V.
• Now, try again to install QuickBooks Desktop using the program file QuickBooks.exe.

2. Restrict CD-ROM Access to Local Users

You may see the ‘Source File not Found’ error if multiple users can access the CD-ROM. Allow only limited users access to CD-ROM and check if this resolves the error:

• Press Windows+R to launch the Run prompt and enter gpedit.msc.
• Hit on Enter and choose Computer Configuration.
• Select Windows Settings and click on Security Settings.

• Navigate to the Local Security Policy option, expand the folder, and select the Local Policy Folder from there.
• Choose the Microsoft Windows version that you are using currently and click on Security Options.
• Now, turn on the “Devices: Restrict CD-ROM access to locally logged-on user only option” and select administrators and power users for “Devices: Allowed to format and eject removable media.”

3. Run the SFC Scan

The Windows System File Checker is a tool built into all modern versions of Windows. This tool identifies corrupt system files and performs quick repairs to fix the issues associated with them.

• Launch the Windows Start menu and search for Command Prompt.
• Right-click on the result and choose Run as Administrator.

• Enter the sfc/scan now command in the CMD window.

• Press Enter again and let the tool scan and repair the Windows components.
• Once the Windows File Checker tool has finished repairing the damages,
• Now, try again to install QuickBooks Desktop.

4. Remove Windows Firewall Restrictions by Disabling it

The Windows Firewall, antivirus or other security applications can block your QuickBooks program from running processes, even during installation.

To make sure you don’t get QuickBooks error 1311 and can run the installation configure the Windows Firewall settings for QuickBooks.

If this doesn’t help you install QuickBooks Desktop, try again by disabling the Windows Firewall. Make sure to turn it on again once you have installed the software:

• Launch the Windows Start menu on your computer.
• Search Windows Firewall and press the Enter key.
• Now, disable the Realtime Protection in the application.
• Follow the instructions displayed on your screen to disable other firewall features.
• Once done, try installing QuickBooks Desktop again and enable the Windows Firewall if you successfully installed the program.

If you still encounter the error, enable the Windows Firewall again and proceed with the next troubleshooting steps.

5. Run the installation as an Admin

Try running the QuickBooks installation as an administrator and following the steps below to see if it resolves problem code 1311.

• Log out the current user from QuickBooks and log back in as an admin.
• Right-click on the QuickBooks setup file and click on Run as Administrator.

6. Update your Windows Operating System

The Windows components or features may be out of date and trigger installer error 1131 when you try to install QuickBooks or other software. Learn how to update your Windows operating system to the latest release:

• Launch the Windows Start menu by pressing the Windows logo key.
• Search for Settings and hit Enter.
• Now, select Windows Update from the left pane.
• Click on Check for Windows update.

• Choose Download & Install if the updates are available.
• Once the update is downloaded, restart your computer to apply these updates.

7. Fix Installation Issues Using QB Install Diagnostic tool

If something happens during the installation, it can cause issues when trying to run it. To access the tool, you must download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub. Now, follow the steps below to run the installed diagnostic tool:

• Launch QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• Select Installation Issues from the left pane.

• Now, click on the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool.
• The tool might take up to 20 minutes to complete the process; wait until then.
• Once the tool finishes, restart your computer and launch QB Desktop, then open company files.
• Update your QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release to make sure you have the most recent fixes and the latest features.

8. Try reinstalling QuickBooks in Selective Startup

Other applications running on your computer may interfere with the QuickBooks installation. To avoid further messing up QuickBooks, reinstall the program in Selective Startup.

Let’s learn how to reinstall your QuickBooks Desktop program in Selective Startup:

a. Enable the Selective Startup

• Launch the Run command by pressing the Windows+R keys together.
• Now, enter msconfig and click OK.
• Choose Selective Startup and Load system services in the General tab.
• Move to the Services tab and mark the Hide all Microsoft Services checkbox.
• Finally, click on Disable all.

b. Uninstall QuickBooks

The issue may lie with the QuickBooks program files, which trigger QuickBooks error 1311 when trying to install the software. To fix this, you will need to remove these files and then install QuickBooks again. This will replace the existing files with the new ones.

• Launch the Windows Start menu and type Control Panel in the search field.
• Hit the Enter key to open the Control Panel.
• Go to Programs and Features or click on Uninstall a Program.
• Now, choose the QuickBooks Desktop version you want to remove from the list of your programs.
• Click on Uninstall/Change, Remove, and then Next.
• If you can’t see the option to remove QuickBooks, sign out and sign to Windows as an admin.

c. Install QB Desktop Again

Here’s how to install QuickBooks Desktop again:

• Keep your computer connected to an active internet connection.
• Locate the QuickBooks program file QuickBooks.exe.
• Now, choose
• Express install – It saves all the preferences of the previous version and installs over QuickBooks. You will need to reinstall the previous version using a custom install to access it.
• Custom and Network Options – This installs the newer version in a different location while keeping the previous one installed. It will not add the prior version preferences to the new version.
• Choose Next and then Install.
• When done, select Open QuickBooks.

d. Switch back to Normal Startup

• Press Windows+R on your keyboard to launch the Run command.
• In the Run field, type msconfig and select OK.
• Choose Normal startup from the General tab.
• Click OK.
• Choose Restart on the System Configuration window.

Summary

To get started with financial and accounting management, it is necessary to install QuickBooks Desktop without any damages or corruption. However, QuickBooks error 1311 or a Windows installer error may hinder the process, causing a failure to install the software. The information given above will surely help rectify the error and ensure you can get QuickBooks easily.

Do you have further queries, or did your QuickBooks installation get stuck? We recommend consulting with QuickBooks professionals for further help. Dial +1-866-409-5111 and talk to an expert now!