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Multiple Data Files Using the Same Accounts Fail

Ray

I have two data files accessing the same accounts. The first I created in 2010, RJF2b. It has some issues, so I created a new file from scratch in 2023, RJF2023. One Step Update (OSU) uses the same logins to the 9 institutions to update the 21 accounts. I need to keep updating both files as I’m still debugging reports, memorized transactions, etc.

On May 6, as usual, I updated RJF2b. When I updated RJF2023, most institutions failed OSU with CC-901 errors. I repaired its connections. When I again ran OSU on RJF2b, it failed. Repairing one file corrupts the other file. As I tried to fix the failures, they changed to CC-601. Both files pass Validation and Super-validation. My Mobile and Web Apps are off.

Quicken support couldn’t fix both files either. (5/7/2025 Quicken case # 11756126)

Reading through the Community posts, I see many discussions on OSU failures, a few with those trying to have two data files sharing accounts. OSU is a major and continuing issue.

Fidelity uses Direct Connect and is ok. Institutions using Express Web Connect fail. They download data from the institution to Quicken’s servers. OSU downloads the data from these servers to Quicken desktop. Seven institutions use Express Web Connect+ authenticates with tokens. Barclays uses Express Web Connect authenticates that authenticates with my user’s ID and password. As data is read-only, I don’t see any technical issues using multiple files. Downloading from the institution as a CSV file isn’t a problem, nor is using Direct Connect. I suspect it’s caused by overzealous security.

Has anyone had this same issue? Have you found a solution?

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Comments

Quicken Jasmine

Hello @Ray,

Thanks for the detailed breakdown — it’s very helpful. I do have a few follow-up questions to better understand the behavior you’re seeing:

Are both data files using the same Quicken ID, or are they tied to separate IDs? Are any of the affected Express Web Connect+ accounts being accessed on other devices or installations of Quicken? Have you noticed whether token expiration or reauthentication prompts align with the timing of the failures? When you repair connections, are you reauthorizing through the Add Account flow, or using the OSU setup screen?

Have you tried deactivating all accounts in one data file before repairing the other, and then reactivating them after completing the OSU setup? Have you checked the Cloud Account status for each file under Edit > Preferences > Quicken ID & Cloud Accounts? Is there any overlap in cloud datasets? Also, can you confirm if both files were last synced using the same instance of Quicken on the same machine, or do you switch devices between files?

Let me know — we’ll dig deeper based on what you find.

Ray

Thank you for your comments.

Both datafiles use the same Quicken ID. Both datafiles also use the same log in to the institutions. In settings, Mobile & Web sync is off in both. I run both files on the same PC. Currently, all institutions in the RJF2023 file are deactivated except Fidelity that uses Direct Connect with 3 accounts. Running OSU in both files isn't an issue.

Today, in RJF2023, I used Add Account to add Barclays Bank Delaware. It uses Express Web Connect and my UserID and PW. All remaining institutions use Express Web Connect+ with tokens. Tokens are known to create lots of issues. I successfully linked to the existing two Barclays accounts and ran OSU without any issue.

I switched from RJF2023 to RJF2b. It has all accounts active. I ran OSU without issue.

I switched to RJF2023 with Fidelity and Barclays accounts active. I ran OSU without issue. (So far so good) Next, I used Add Account to add the 1st of 3 Citibank institutions with 3 checking, a savings, and a credit card account. It uses Citibank. I ran OSU without issue. I switched to RJF2b, ran OSU. No issue.

I switched to RJF2023, ran OSU. No issue. I added the 2nd Citibank institution; a Costco credit cards. It used to use Citi Cards but now uses Citibank in RJF2b.

RJF2b still runs OSU without issue. I went back to RJF2023, added the 3rd Citibank institution, an American Express credit card. It uses Citi Card in RJF2b, so I used it for Add Account.

So far, I have 5 of my 9 institutions working in both files. In prior reauthorizations, I used the OSU error message prompt. With it, Quicken picks the institution. Barclays, Citibank, and Fidelity have several choices. I also used Reset Account in Account Details > Online Services. Perhaps Quicken fixed something.

When I've had difficulty activating an account, Quicken Support often suggests deactivating all accounts for the institution. In the account's General tab, they delete the Account and Routing Numbers. Then use Add Account and link it to the existing account. For my 2-file issue, another option is to use my wife's login for one file and mine for the other. But some people have had trouble with this too.

I'm going to wait overnight before adding the remaining 4; Bank of America, Schwab, Chase, and PayPal. In the following issue, it seems that changes happen overnight. Today's success may fail tomorrow.

Multiple Financial Institutions Prompting Reauthorization After Every One Step Update [Edited] — Quicken

Ray

This morning, OSU worked on both files. I'm going to wait until Monday before added the remaining 4 institutions to RJF2023 to make sure they continue to work.

I wish Quicken would provide more details on the connection methods. Quicken used to be a product of Intuit along with QuickBooks. They separated in 2016. One community discussion said that Quicken still uses Intuit to communicate with the institutions. So, there are 4 processes involved in OSU if it uses Express Web Connect or Express Web Connect+: The institution, Intuit, Quicken servers, and our software. Direct Connect eliminates both Intuit and Quicken servers but burdens Quicken with dealing with every institution.

[Deleted User]

@Ray here is a detailed description of the connection methods from Quicken Support -

https://www.quicken.com/support/how-quicken-connects-your-bank/

I am not sure if you have already looked at this, but I think it gives a comprehensive but concise description of each connection method.

Ray

Yes, I saw it but it doesn't explain the handshaking, verification, and other processes. With tokens it's much more complicated. The datafile has an ID. What information is used to create the token? Is there one token for all datafiles or are their multiple tokens? What steps should be take to isolate the cause and debug the issues? What is causing the failures I had and the continual failures with

Multiple Financial Institutions Prompting Reauthorization After Every One Step Update [Edited] — Quicken

Ray

I've run OSU successfully multiple times on both RJF2b and RJF2023 for 4 days. I decided to use Add Account to add Bank of American-All Other States to RJF2023. RJF2b uses it. There was one another choice, Bank of America - Quicken. A July 2024 post showed 11 Bank of America options, but Quicken Kristina replied that All Other States is most commonly used.

When adding an account, which Bank Of America entry ? — Quicken

Quicken matched my existing 4 accounts. Account Added report showed I'd added them. Interestingly, one said I'd downloaded transactions from the last 0 days but it actually downloaded a transaction dated yesterday. The others had 1209, 1223, and 1134 days but didn't download anything. I then ran OSU on both datafiles without issues.

I'll add the remaining Schwab, Chase, and PayPal institutions one at a time.

I didn't mention that when I added the Citibank account on 5/22, Quicken changed the opening balance on the credit card. This happens frequently without any indication. In all my accounts, I enter the date and amount in the Memo field of the Opening Balance transaction in all my accounts. When reconciliation is not zero, I can quickly check to see if Quicken has changed it.

Ray

I ran OSU successfully on both RJF2b and RJF2023 this morning. I used Add Account to add Schwab to RJF2023, then ran OSU on both accounts a few times without any issues.

When running OSU, I've noticed that Fidelity that uses Direct Connect updates in a few seconds. The rest of the institutions use Express Web Connect (plain and +) and take about 30 seconds. Quickens servers significantly slow OSU.

It appears that deactivating all the accounts first, then using Add Account to activate them again will fix the OSU errors and interactions when more than one datafile accessing the same accounts. Only Chase and PayPal remain to be added.

Ray

Yesterday I added the remaining 2 institutions, Chase and PayPal. OSU worked find yesterday and today. I now again have two datafiles accessing the same institutions using the same credentials to log in.

I consider this issue resolved.

The solution was to Deactivate all accounts, then add each institution back using Add Account (Tools > Add Account or clicking the + at the top of the Accounts left sidebar). Before Deactivating, I'd suggest printing your Account List (Tools > Account List, the tiny print icon is in the lower-left corner) as a CSV file. Some institutions have multiple choices so use the name in the Financial Institution column. You can also get the account list from a backup of the last working datafile.