# [phone] How to Rectify QuickBooks Rebuild Error 213 (Duplicate Name Encountered)?

QuickBooks is an indispensable accounting solution for small and medium-sized businesses. However, like all software, it is not immune to errors and bugs. One such commonly reported issue is **QuickBooks Rebuild Error 213**, which shows up with the message: **“Error 213: Duplicate Name Encountered in List. Please Fix the Duplicate Entries in the List.”** This error typically appears when using the *Verify and Rebuild Data* utility in QuickBooks Desktop and often points to duplicate entries in the name list such as Customers, Vendors, Employees, or Other Names.

This comprehensive guide explains in **3000 words** how to **identify**, **understand**, and **fix QuickBooks Error 213**, ensuring your company file integrity is preserved. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, you can contact our QuickBooks experts at **[phone]** for instant help.

## Table of Contents

1. [Understanding QuickBooks Error 213](#1)
2. [Common Causes of Rebuild Error 213](#2)
3. [Symptoms Associated With Error Code 213](#3)
4. [Preliminary Steps Before Troubleshooting](#4)
5. [Step-by-Step Methods to Rectify Rebuild Error 213](#5)

* 5.1 Use Verify and Rebuild Utility
* 5.2 Manually Locate Duplicate Names
* 5.3 Use QuickBooks Log File to Identify Duplicates
* 5.4 Rename or Merge Duplicate Entries
* 5.5 Use QuickBooks File Doctor Tool
* 5.6 Restore a Backup Copy
6. [Tips to Prevent Error 213 in the Future](#6)
7. [When to Contact QuickBooks Support](#7)
8. [Conclusion](#8)

## 1. Understanding QuickBooks Error 213

QuickBooks Error 213 arises during the *Rebuild Data* process. The error indicates that QuickBooks has found **two or more identical entries** in a list that should only contain unique names.

**Error Message Example:**

> *"Error 213: Verify name list. Duplicate name encountered."*

This could happen in any of the following lists:

* Customer List
* Vendor List
* Employee List
* Chart of Accounts
* Class List
* Item List

QuickBooks does not allow duplicate entries in its internal database structure, so it flags these entries during data verification and fails to rebuild the file until resolved.

## 2. Common Causes of Rebuild Error 213

Understanding why the error occurs helps in determining the right approach for resolving it. Below are some likely causes:

* **Manually Entered Duplicate Names:** Two vendors or customers with identical names.
* **Imported Data Errors:** Importing data from Excel or third-party apps may create duplications.
* **Corrupted Company File:** File corruption can cause misreads or misidentifications of duplicates.
* **Merging Accounts or Items Incorrectly:** Improperly merged accounts may retain redundant name tags.
* **Special Characters or Case Sensitivity Issues:** While QuickBooks is case-insensitive, special characters might create issues.

## 3. Symptoms Associated With Error Code 213

Here are common signs that you’re encountering this error:

* QuickBooks crashes or freezes during the *Rebuild* process.
* Performance lags or system slowness.
* You receive the *Error 213* message repeatedly during verification.
* Your company file is not rebuilding properly.
* Random crashes when accessing customer or vendor lists.

## 4. Preliminary Steps Before Troubleshooting

Before you dive into fixing the issue, make sure to take the following safety steps:

### ✅ Create a Backup of Your Company File

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Go to **File** > **Back Up Company** > **Create Local Backup**.
3. Choose **Local Backup** and click **Next**.
4. Save the backup file to a secure location.

### ✅ Update QuickBooks Desktop

Ensure your QuickBooks is updated to the latest version:

1. Go to **Help** > **Update QuickBooks Desktop**.
2. Click **Update Now**.
3. Select **Get Updates** and restart QuickBooks after the update.

## 5. Step-by-Step Methods to Rectify Rebuild Error 213

Let’s break down each effective solution in detail.

### 5.1 Use Verify and Rebuild Utility

QuickBooks offers a built-in utility to detect and attempt to repair file damage.

#### 🔹 Run Verify Data:

1. Go to **File** > **Utilities** > **Verify Data**.
2. Wait for the process to complete.
3. If it finds issues, you’ll be prompted to run the Rebuild tool.

#### 🔹 Run Rebuild Data:

1. Go to **File** > **Utilities** > **Rebuild Data**.
2. Save a backup if prompted.
3. Let QuickBooks attempt to repair the file.
4. If it fails with *Error 213*, proceed to the next steps.

### 5.2 Manually Locate Duplicate Names

Duplicate names must be located and renamed manually.

#### ✅ Steps to Find and Edit Duplicate Names:

1. Go to **Lists** > choose one of the following:

* **Customer & Jobs**
* **Vendors**
* **Employees**
2. Manually search for any name appearing more than once.
3. Double-click on one of the entries and slightly modify the name (e.g., add a space or number).

Example:

* Original: John Smith
* Modified: John Smith1

This ensures uniqueness and resolves conflicts.

### 5.3 Use QuickBooks Log File (QBWIN.LOG)

QuickBooks logs rebuild issues in the **QBWIN.LOG** file.

#### 🔹 How to Access QBWIN.LOG:

1. Press **F2** (or **Ctrl + 1**) on your keyboard inside QuickBooks.
2. In the *Product Information* window, locate the path for **QBWIN.LOG**.
3. Open the file in Notepad.
4. Search for **“Error 213”** or **“Duplicate Name Encountered”**.
5. Note the names and lists referenced.
6. Go back into QuickBooks and correct the duplicate entries.

This method provides pinpoint accuracy in identifying the duplicates.

### 5.4 Rename or Merge Duplicate Entries

Depending on your need, you can **rename** or **merge** entries.

#### 🔹 To Rename:

1. Open the duplicated name from its respective list.
2. Modify it by adding a suffix, number, or space.

#### 🔹 To Merge:

1. Choose the entry you want to retain.
2. Edit the other duplicate entry and change its name to exactly match the one you’re keeping.
3. QuickBooks will prompt: *“This name already exists. Do you want to merge them?”*
4. Click **Yes**.

⚠️ **Caution:** Merging cannot be undone. Only do this if you're absolutely sure the records are the same.

### 5.5 Use QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

QuickBooks File Doctor is another Intuit utility for fixing company file issues.

#### ✅ Download and Use File Doctor:

1. Download the **QuickBooks Tool Hub** from the official Intuit website.
2. Open the Tool Hub and choose **Company File Issues**.
3. Click **Run QuickBooks File Doctor**.
4. Browse and select your company file.
5. Enter your QuickBooks Admin credentials when prompted.
6. Let the tool scan and fix the problem.

This utility can repair minor damage that causes error 213.

### 5.6 Restore a Backup Copy

If the problem cannot be resolved with the above steps and is causing operational issues, restoring a backup may help.

1. Go to **File** > **Open or Restore Company**.
2. Select **Restore a backup copy**.
3. Choose a recent backup from before the issue started.
4. Verify and rebuild data on the restored file to ensure it's clean.

## 6. Tips to Prevent Error 213 in the Future

Avoiding such errors is better than fixing them. Here are some proactive measures:

* Regularly **verify and rebuild** your data every month.
* Avoid importing external data without cleaning and deduplicating.
* Don’t create similar names with minor variations.
* Train your staff to use naming conventions (e.g., Vendor01, CustomerNY).
* Back up your file before every major transaction or update.
* Use **QuickBooks Enterprise with Advanced Reporting** if you have a large list of names.

## 7. When to Contact QuickBooks Support

If you've tried all the above and still experience issues, it’s time to contact professionals.

### ☎️ Call QuickBooks Support: **[phone]**

Our expert technicians are available 24/7 to guide you through advanced troubleshooting, including:

* File corruption repair
* Database optimization
* Log analysis
* Safe merging strategies
* Third-party app conflict resolution

We can also use screen-sharing tools (with your permission) to resolve the issue swiftly.

## 8. Conclusion

QuickBooks Error 213, though frustrating, is fully resolvable with a structured approach. The error essentially stems from **duplicate names** within the database, which prevents the software from rebuilding your company file successfully. Using a combination of the *Verify/Rebuild* utility, *manual review*, and the *QuickBooks File Doctor*, you can identify and remove all instances of duplication.

If you're pressed for time or unsure about tampering with your data, don’t hesitate to reach out to certified QuickBooks professionals.

### Need Immediate Help?

📞 **Call Our QuickBooks Experts Now: [phone]**

Available 24x7 — We’re here to ensure your QuickBooks runs smoothly without interruptions!