Error 8: Attempt to write a read only database

Occasionally we hear from Virtual TimeClock users who are getting an Error 8 message and are unable to clock in and out or make changes to timecards or settings. If you receive a warning message that reads, Error 8: Attempt to write a read only database, this support article will explain how to resolve the error by changing the permissions on your database folder.

To resolve this error, you will need to navigate to the time clock database folder on your computer and update the permissions to make the database read and write. While a change in folder permissions is quite rare, it can happen for a variety of reasons.

Go to the database folder path

• Windows: C:/Users/Public/Public Documents/TimeClock Data
• macOS: Macintosh HD/Users/Shared/Shared Documents/TimeClock Data

Right-click on your TimeClock Data folder and review the read and write permissions on the folder. In macOS you’ll choose Get Info to review folder settings. In Windows, you’ll choose Properties when you right-click on a folder or file. If the folder is set to Read only you will need to change the permissions to Read & Write in order for the time clock to be able to write new data to the database.