Linking your BMO business credit card in QuickBooks Online should be seamless, but many business owners encounter issues when trying to connect a new card. Whether you recently received a new card or have experienced a QuickBooks Online new credit card not showing error, these problems can disrupt bookkeeping, expense tracking, and reconciliation.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through common causes of BMO credit card connection problems, step-by-step troubleshooting, and tips to fix BMO credit card QuickBooks Online linking issues efficiently.
Why Linking BMO Business Credit Cards Fails
Understanding the underlying causes helps in resolving linking issues quickly. Common reasons include:
- New Card Activation
- A new BMO business credit card may not show in QuickBooks Online if it hasn’t been activated in BMO Online Banking.
- System Delays or Sync Issues
- QuickBooks Online may take a few days to detect newly added accounts or credit cards from your bank.
- Login or Security Restrictions
- Multi-factor authentication, expired passwords, or temporary lockouts can prevent QuickBooks Online from accessing BMO account information.
- Third-Party Connection Limitations
- Sometimes QuickBooks Online cannot detect certain cards if your BMO business account uses unique security or account types.
- Pending Transactions or Restrictions
- Cards with pending transactions, holds, or account limits may not appear during the linking process.
Step 1: Verify Your BMO Business Credit Card Online
Before troubleshooting in QuickBooks Online, make sure your card is active and accessible:
- Log in to BMO Online Banking.
- Confirm that your new credit card appears under your business account.
- Ensure the card is activated and not restricted for online access.
- Verify there are no alerts, holds, or pending approvals on the card.
If the card doesn’t appear in BMO Online Banking, QuickBooks Online cannot detect it.
Step 2: Prepare QuickBooks Online for Linking
Once your card is confirmed active:
- Log in to QuickBooks Online.
- Navigate to Banking > Add Account.
- Ensure your QuickBooks Online account is updated to the latest version.
- Clear any cached banking credentials to avoid login conflicts.
This ensures QuickBooks Online can initiate a fresh connection without old login data interfering.
Step 3: Attempt to Link Your BMO Business Credit Card
- In QuickBooks Online, select Banking > Add Account.
- Search for BMO Bank and select the correct institution.
- Enter your BMO Online Banking credentials carefully.
- Follow prompts for multi-factor authentication if required.
Tip: Use the same credentials and multi-factor setup that you use to log in directly to BMO Online Banking.
If the card still doesn’t show after completing these steps, it could be a system detection issue.
Step 4: Common Errors and Fixes
ErrorLikely CauseFixQuickBooks Online new credit card not showingCard not activated or system delayActivate card, refresh QuickBooks Online after a few hoursBMO credit card connection problemLogin or security issueRe-enter credentials, verify multi-factor authentication, clear cacheQuickBooks Online account linking errorTemporary server outageRetry after 1–2 hours; check for BMO or QuickBooks maintenance noticesCard detected but transactions not importingIntegration limitationsManually import CSV statements from BMO Online BankingStep 5: Workarounds While Troubleshooting
If linking fails temporarily, you can still track expenses and reconcile accounts:
- Manual Import of Transactions
- Export CSV or Excel statements from BMO Online Banking.
- Import transactions into QuickBooks Online via Banking > Upload Transactions.
- Use Temporary Accounts
- If you have an old card linked, use it to track business expenses temporarily.
- Track Separately and Merge Later
- Keep a manual log of transactions while waiting for QuickBooks Online to recognize your new card.
These workarounds prevent gaps in bookkeeping while the account linking issue is resolved.
Step 6: Contact BMO Support
If the above steps don’t resolve the problem, contact BMO Business Banking Support:
- Verify that your credit card is active and can be linked to third-party services.
- Confirm there are no restrictions, holds, or multi-factor authentication issues.
- Ask if there are known QuickBooks Online connection issues or system updates affecting BMO accounts.
Having your account number and recent error messages ready can speed up troubleshooting.
Step 7: Contact QuickBooks Online Support
Sometimes, the issue may lie with QuickBooks Online rather than BMO:
- Call QuickBooks Online support to report the BMO business account linking error.
- Share screenshots of the error and confirm your QuickBooks Online version.
- QuickBooks support can check the system for connectivity issues or advise alternative linking methods.
If needed, you can also get direct expert assistance at 866-798-4134 to troubleshoot BMO credit card linking in QuickBooks Online efficiently.
Step 8: Prevent Future Linking Issues
- Activate New Cards Immediately
- Activate any new BMO credit card as soon as you receive it.
- Regularly Update QuickBooks Online
- Use the latest QuickBooks Online version to avoid compatibility problems.
- Monitor Third-Party Integrations
- Ensure POS systems or payment processors respect the same account credentials.
- Document Linking Steps
- Keep a record of which accounts are linked, including last successful updates, to prevent duplication or confusion.
- Export and Backup Statements
- Keep offline copies of BMO statements in case system issues prevent automatic imports.
Final Thoughts
BMO business credit card link issues in QuickBooks Online are usually caused by activation delays, login problems, or integration errors. By verifying card activation, ensuring QuickBooks Online is updated, and following proper linking steps, most issues can be resolved without disrupting accounting workflows.
If you continue to experience QuickBooks Online account linking errors or new credit card not showing, don’t wait—professional assistance can save time and prevent bookkeeping errors.
Call 866-798-4134 to fix BMO credit card linking problems in QuickBooks Online. Our experts can walk you through troubleshooting, manual imports, and account setup to get your business finances back on track quickly.