'Server Busy - This action cannot be completed... Switch to... Retry'

How to resolve this message, that may appear when using Sage 50 Accounts.

When trying to open or process in Sage 50 Accounts, you may receive the message:

'Server Busy - This action cannot be completed because the other program is busy. Choose 'Switch to' to activate the busy program and correct the problem.'

The following options are offered: Switch to, Retry or Cancel.

This message can appear for a variety of reasons, and they're not always related to the server. Normally it relates to antivirus software or permissions. 

Run the software as administrator

1. Right-click on the Sage Accounts icon and click Run as administrator.
2. If required, enter your administrator credentials then click OK.

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Rename sage.ini

1. Close your Sage 50 Accounts and open Windows explorer.
2. Browse to C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts.
3. Right-click the Sage.ini file and left-click Rename.
4. Rename it to Sage.old.

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Check the Windows System Information app

If your software hangs on the splash screen after you've entered your login details, it could be an issue with the Windows System Information app. Let's check:

• In the Windows search bar enter system information, then click System Information

If this window populates, as shown in the image below - Then there is no issue with the System Information App, so move onto the next section in this guide.

If the System Information window is blank, this indicates an issue. To resolve this:

1. In the Windows search bar enter cmd then right-click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.
2. Type net stop winmgmt, press Enter, if asked if you want to continue press Y, then press Enter.  
   
   Unable to stop winmgmt?
3. Type winmgmt /resetrepository, then press Enter.

This will report that the repository has been reset.

4. Type net start winmgmt, press Enter,  then close the Command Prompt.

This may report that the WMI Service is already started, which can be expected.

5. Open Sage 50 Accounts and log in to the company. If the issue persists, continue to Step 6.
6. Uninstall then reinstall Sage 50 Accounts. 

If the Windows System Information app is still blank, then you should contact your IT administrator for further help.

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Configure your antivirus software

To protect against the message occurring in the future, you should configure your antivirus software to exclude Sage files. For more information about which files to exclude from the antivirus checks, use our handy guide on how to Modify your antivirus software to work alongside Sage 50 Accounts.

If this issue occurs specifically when running reports, use our "Running reports - 'Server Busy .... Switch To, Retry or Cancel'" guide.

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If you're using Opayo

If you’re using Opayo and you can access the program after clicking Retry on this message multiple times, you can set your software to stop checking this.

To do this:

1. Log in as the user Manager.
2. Click Settings then Company Preferences and open the Opayo by Elavon tab.
3. Clear the Check for payments on startup check box and click OK.

You can then check for these payments manually.

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If you're using ESET Antivirus and 64-bit Sage 50 Accounts

If you do, follow the steps in our Data Service error message with ESET installed article.