Last updated: February 7th, 2024
Is your Sage 50 Accounting software not starting up and giving you an error messages like: Sage 50 cannot be started?
Has Sage 50 thrown up the dreaded “could not be started” error when you try to open it? This frustrating message is almost always caused by issues with the Pervasive PSQL database manager running behind the scenes. Not to worry – a few targeted troubleshooting steps will get Sage 50 back up and running.
In this post, you’ll learn how to fix “Sage 50 cannot be started” error.
There could be a number of reasons that prevent your Sage 50 accounting software to launch and you face error like: Sage 50 accounting could not be started. But one of the most common reasons is compatibility issues with your software.
Description- Sage 50 Accounting Could Not be Started
When trying to start Sage 50, you’ll encounter “Sage 50 could not be started. These issues are some technical errors that are caused when you are trying to run your software.” Another related issue is Sage 50 stopped working. You will receive the following error message: “Sage 50 could not be started. You will receive the following error message getting displayed on your computer system when you encounter this Sage 50 error.
“Error: Sage 50 cannot be started, please reboot.” OR “Error: Sage 50 Accounting cannot be started. Please try again.”
As a Sage 50 user, you may see these error codes if you are using an old/outdated version of the program. It is recommended that you update your software as soon as possible to ensure that you have the latest and best program possible.
These are the Probable Causes/forms when Sage 50 accounting could not be started. There may be some other errors also.
Sage 50 can’t be started. You need to restart your computer or select the Help button to know more.
Sage 50 can’t be started. Please try again. If the problem still persists, call our Technical Support Team.
Unable to start Sage 50 or Open the Program.
There can be Many Revealed or hidden factors that cause an error message. These are the common reasons we are highlighting:
- Run Program in the Compatibility Mode
- Data Path: Not Correct
- Data Path File: Missing or Damaged
- Damaged User Profile or Shortcut
- Program Files: Damaged/Corrupted or Deleted.
- Outdated files and folders.
- Company folders have some damaged reports.
- Issues with Pervasive.
- The server network is Public.
Read This: Sage 50 Pro Accounting 2018
Other Descriptions When Sage 50 Accounting Could Not Be Started:
- Error: Sage 50 cannot be started. When pervasive is not running or needs to be restarted.
- Error Sage 50 cannot be started and my computer operating system is Microsoft windows 8 8.1 or 10.
- Error: Sage 50 cannot be started and have Microsoft .net framework errors in event viewer.
- Error: Sage 50 cannot be started and pervasive is service is missing or cannot be restarted.
How to Fix the When Sage 50 Cannot be Started Problem?
Follow the steps we are mentioning below to fix compatibility issues when Sage 50 accounting could not be started:
Solution 1: Restart Your Computer
Before diving into complex technical troubleshooting, try the simple solution of rebooting your computer. Restarting refreshes all the background services and programs, often resolving temporary issues that are preventing Sage from launching properly. Give this quick fix a shot first:
- Restart your computer and wait for it to fully load back up.
- Try opening Sage 50 Accounting again. If it opens without errors, the problem is resolved!
If Sage 50 still won’t open, don’t worry – move on to further troubleshooting steps.
Solution 2: Check Pervasive PSQL Service Status
Since restarting didn’t work, the next place to check is the Pervasive database manager itself. Something may have caused the service to stop unexpectedly. Here’s how to verify its status:
- Hit the Windows key and type “services” to open the Services management panel.
- Scroll down to and select the service called “Actian PSQL Workstation Engine”.
- Choose “Restart” to reboot the Pervasive PSQL service.
- Open Sage 50 after a minute or two to give Pervasive time to fully restart.
If Sage opens normally now, great! If not, a reinstall of Pervasive is likely needed to get a clean slate.
Solution #4: Reinstall Pervasive PSQL
If Sage 50 still refuses to start, the nuclear option is to fully reinstall Pervasive PSQL using Sage’s built-in repair utility:
- Open the Sage 50 Database Repair tool from the Start menu (Sage 50 Resources and Help > Technical Support Utilities > Database Repair).
- Select the options to uninstall and reinstall Pervasive PSQL. This gives you a clean slate.
- Try opening Sage 50 after Pervasive finishes reinstalling to verify everything is working again.
If the “could not be started” error pops up yet again, firewall or antivirus software could be interfering.
Solution 4: Damaged Reports Folder
If your Sage 50 Accounting has a damaged reports error and is not running, you’ll need to follow these steps.
- Exit Sage 50 from all systems which are on the same server.
- Click the Search button in the top-left corner, and then type in your host’s name.
- This is where your data will be hosted, which will also be the server.
- Change the name of the NameServers.
- Get rid of those pesky formatting issues with the help of a click.
Solution 5: Adjust Firewall Settings
Finally, overly zealous firewall or security tools might be blocking critical Sage services from communicating properly. Here’s how to check:
- Run the Sage Advisor diagnostic to detect any non-Windows security apps running.
- Navigate to the program’s blocked/allowed list and set all Sage 50 .exe files and services to “Allowed”.
- Make sure no Sage components are wrongly quarantined by security software as well.
- Try Sage 50 again – it should now start without issues!
After all that troubleshooting, Sage 50 Accounting should be launching smoothly once more
For any further queries about the error “Sage 50 cannot be started, you can get in touch with experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s the most common solution to Sage 50 Accounting doesn’t start?
If Sage 50 Accounting fails to start, consider the following potential solutions: restart your computer, check for software updates on the Sage Support website, repair or reinstall the software using the built-in repair tool or performing a clean install, verify data file integrity utilizing the Company File Doctor utility, or creating a backup and restoring an older working version, and temporarily disable antivirus software as a last resort.
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How to run an Advisor diagnostic tool to fix the Sage 50 Accounting not Starting issue?
Learn how to effectively use the Sage 50 Advisor diagnostic tool to identify and resolve issues causing Sage 50 Accounting to fail in launching. Follow these steps to ensure optimal performance and maintain smooth operations.
Step 1: Backup your company file
Before beginning the diagnostic process, make a backup copy of your company file to protect against potential data loss during the repair procedure.Step 2: Access the Advisor
Launch Sage 50 and select ‘Help’ > ‘Support & Information’. In the Help Center window, click on ‘Contact Us’, followed by ‘Run the Sage 50 Business Cloud Accounting Diagnostics Tool’.Step 3: Scan your system
The diagnostic tool will now initiate a thorough analysis of your system configuration, network settings, and Sage 50 components. Ensure a stable internet connection throughout the scanning process.Step 4: Review results
Once completed, review the generated report for identified issues and recommended resolutions. Address each issue according to their priority level.Step 5: Apply suggested repairs
Implement the proposed remedies presented in the diagnostic report. These actions may include updating drivers, modifying firewall settings, or applying software patches.Step 6: Retest Sage 50
After implementing the suggested repairs, relaunch Sage 50 to determine if the issue has been resolved. -
How to run sage as an Administrator to Resolve Sage 50 accounting could not be started?
Learn how to run Sage 50 Accounting as an administrator to tackle the “could not be started” error. Following these steps ensures proper access permissions and improved application stability.
Step 1: Close Sage 50
Make certain that no instances of Sage 50 are currently running.Step 2: Locate the Sage 50 shortcut
Find the Sage 50 icon on your desktop or in the Start menu. Right-click on it and choose ‘Properties’.Step 3: Change startup options
In the Properties window, navigate to the ‘Compatibility’ tab. Check the box labeled ‘Run this program as an administrator’. Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’.Step 4: Test the application
Double-click the Sage 50 shortcut to launch the software while maintaining administrative privileges. Attempt to open your company file and evaluate if the “could not be started” issue has been resolved. -
What is Pervasive in Sage 50?
Pervasive Software Corporation is a technology company specializing in database management systems and data integration tools. Its flagship product, Pervasive SQL, offers a high-performance, multi-platform database engine used primarily for small to midsize businesses and applications requiring real-time data processing.
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How to Stop or Start the Pervasive Service?
To manage the Pervasive service, press
Win + R, typeservices.msc, and hit Enter to open the Services Manager. Find the ‘Pervasive SQL Server’ entry under the ‘Database Engines’ category. Right-click on it and choose ‘Stop’ or ‘Start’ depending on your requirements. -
I Cannot Stop Pervasive. What to Do?
If you cannot stop the Pervasive service manually through the Services Manager, try the following:
1 PressCtrl+Alt+Deland log into Task Manager.
2 Navigate to the ‘Services’ tab.
3 Look for the ‘Pervasive SQL Server’ entry.
4 Set its status to ‘Stopped’ or ‘Manual’.
5 Save changes and exit Task Manager.
6 Open the Services Manager and confirm the status change. -
Pervasive Stops Soon After It Is Started. How to Fix It?
Uninstalling and reinstalling Pervasive involves the following steps:
Backup critical data.
Uninstall Pervasive using Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Delete leftover registry keys and folders.Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Pervasive\SQL\9.* and HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall{GUID}
Folder Deletion: %ProgramFiles%\Pervasive\SQL\ and %AppData%\Local\Pervasive\
Download and install the latest version of Pervasive.
Create a new database and import backed-up data.
