QuickBooks Payroll Update Not Working! DIY Guide to Fix it

In QuickBooks, updating payroll is extremely simple and requires just a few clicks. However, this simple task can be obstructed by several different errors and issues. Payroll errors appear in the form of error codes and sometimes messages informing about specific issues you need to act on. In this guide, we will discuss different errors and issues you can face while getting the most recent tax table updates and solutions to fix them. So, if your QuickBooks payroll update not working, keep reading this guide and get your payroll back on track in no time.

Dealing with payroll errors can sometimes be a tedious task. Thus, if you are running out of time and feel the need to involve an expert to help you out of the trouble, dial 1(800) 780-3064 and connect with the support team now.

Different Errors that Restrict QuickBooks Payroll Update

Below are different error codes and messages that can stop you from downloading and installing QuickBooks payroll updates.

How to Avoid Payroll Update Not Working Issues in QuickBooks Desktop?

Below are some preventive measures that you must consider to avoid getting QuickBooks payroll update not working.

• Ensure the shared drive is mapped correctly if set as the default download location.
• Windows Firewall must not restrict payroll downloads. If you suspect so, add QuickBooks as an exception in Windows Firewall.
• The date and time on your system must be correct.
• You must not have multiple payroll agreements with an inactive direct deposit agreement.
• The Employer Identification Number (EIN) used in the company file must be correct.
• The PSID in the company file must be correct if you get QuickBooks payroll error 30159 when trying to update an existing payroll subscription.
• The QuickBooks Desktop version you have must be compatible with the Windows version.

Solutions to Implement When QuickBooks Payroll Update Not Working

The solutions below will help you fix issues that prevent you from downloading payroll updates in QB.

Carry out these solutions whenever you find QuickBooks payroll update not working.

Solution 1: Verify the Payroll Subscription

• Exit all the company files you are working on and restart your system.
• Launch QuickBooks, go to the Employees tab, choose My Payroll Service, and then hit the Manage Service Key option.

• Ensure the Service Name and Status info is correct and displayed as Active.
• Hit the Edit option and re-enter the service key if it is incorrect.
• Hit Next, remove the checkmark next to the Open Payroll Setup box, and click Finish.

Solution 2: Send All Payroll Data at Once

• Launch QuickBooks, go to the Employees tab, select My Payroll Service, and choose Send Usage Data.
• If you don’t see the Send Usage Data option, go to the Employees tab again and hit Send Payroll Data.

• Click Send All in the Send/Receive Payroll Data window and enter the payroll service PIN when prompted.
• If you can now send the payroll data, the payroll updates will install without interruptions.

If you still find QuickBooks payroll update not working, move to the next solution.

Solution 3: Update QuickBooks Desktop

• Launch QuickBooks, move to the Help tab, select the Update QuickBooks Desktop option, and go to the Update Now tab.

• Select Get Updates, restart QuickBooks, and click Yes to install the downloaded updates.

Updating QuickBooks not only helps you get new features and security updates but also helps you get rid of several payroll update issues, such as QuickBooks error 05396 40000 during payroll setup.

Solution 4: Verify and Rebuild the Company Data

• Open the company file, go to the File tab, choose Utilities, and click Verify Data.
• If issues are detected verifying the data, we will rebuild it using the QuickBooks Rebuild Data Tool.

• Go to the File tab, choose Utilities, select Rebuild Data, and let the tool run to fix the identified issues.

You can also utilize this method when you encounter QuickBooks payroll error 30001 while running payroll.

Solution 5: Run QuickBooks as an Administrator

• Exit QuickBooks, right-click its shortcut icon on the desktop or in the Start menu, and select the Run as Administrator option.

• Retry downloading the payroll updates with the admin rights to check if this resolves the issue.

Once your QuickBooks starts running as an administrator, check if you can install the payroll updates. However, if you notice that the QuickBooks payroll update not working due to an error, move to the next solution.

Solution 6: Reset the Updates

• Launch QuickBooks, go to the Help menu, select Update QuickBooks Desktop, and move to the Update Now tab.

• Checkmark the Reset Updates checkbox to clear all previously downloaded updates and hit Get Updates.
• Restart QuickBooks and hit Yes to initiate the installation of the downloaded updates.

Retry getting the updates to check if resetting the updates helps resolve the issue.

Solution 7: Repair QuickBooks

Using Quick Fix My Program

• Click HERE to download and install the most recent version of QuickBooks Tool Hub. Then, launch it using the shortcut icon created on the desktop.
• If you can’t find the shortcut icon, search Tool Hub in the Windows search and select it to proceed.

• Go to the Program Problems tab, select Quick Fix My Program, and let it run to repair general issues in the QuickBooks program.

Use Control Panel

• Restart your system, select Control Panel in the Start menu, select Program and Features, then hit Uninstall a Program.
• Select QuickBooks in the list of programs, choose Uninstall/Change at the top, and hit Continue or Next.

• Choose Repair, then Continue, and hit Finish once the repair ends.

After QuickBooks is completely repaired, check if you can install the updates. Instead, if you find the QuickBooks payroll update is not working, move to the next solution.

Solution 8: Rename the CPS Folder

• Press the Windows + E keys to open Windows File Explorer. Select This PC, move to Local Disk C, and open the Program Files (x86) folder.

• Open the QuickBooks folder, then Components, and then the Payroll folder.
• Right-click the CPS folder, select Rename, add OLD at the end of the folder name, and save the changes by clicking the blank area in the window.

If renaming the CPS folder also doesn’t help resolve the payroll update issue, move to the next solution.

Solution 9: Re-enter the Payroll Service Key

• Log in to the company file in QuickBooks, select My Payroll Service in the Employee menu, and choose Manage Service Key.

• Click Edit, enter the correct service key, choose Next, and Finish. 
• Click OK in the Payroll Update message window, ensure the Service Status is Active, and click OK.

If the QuickBooks payroll update not working even after re-entering the payroll key, try the next solution.

Solution 10: End QuickBooks Processes

• Exit QuickBooks, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together, and check for the following processes.
  • QBCFMonitorService.exe
  • QBW32.exe or QBW.exe
  • QBDBMgr.exe or QBDBMgrN.exe
  • qbupdate.exe
  • QBMapi32.exe

• Right-click each process, choose End Task, and click Yes in the Task Manager Warning window.

If this solution also doesn’t help resolve issues downloading and installing the payroll updates, move to the next solution.

Solution 11: Update Windows Permissions

• Press the Windows + E keys to launch File Explorer, go to the QuickBooks folder, and right-click the QBW32.EXE file.
• The default path to the QuickBooks program file is:
  • 32-bit: C:\program files\intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • 64-bit: C:\program files x86\intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• Choose Properties, select the Security tab, hit Edit, and choose Add.

• Type “Everyone” in the window, click OK, and checkmark the Full Control option in the Security window.
• Click OK, select Add, type “Users” in the window, and click OK.
• Checkmark the Full Control option in the window and hit OK > Apply > OK to save the changes.

Once the Windows permissions are properly configured, try getting the payroll updates to check if the issue is resolved. If not, and your QuickBooks payroll update not working, follow the next solution.

Solution 12: Enable QuickBooks File Copy Service

• Press the Windows + R keys, then enter COMPMGMT.MSC in the text box and press Enter.
• In the Computer Management Window, choose Services and Applications, select Services, and find Intuit QuickBooks FCS in the list of services.

• Double-click the Intuit QuickBooks FCS service, select the Startup Type as Manual and click Apply and OK.

If enabling the FCS service also doesn’t help resolve the QuickBooks payroll update issues, move to the next solution.

Solution 13: Install a Digital Signature Certificate for QuickBooks

• Right-click the QuickBooks icon, select Properties, go to the Shortcut tab, and select Open File Location.
• Hit OK, locate the QuickBooks.exe file, right-click it, and select Properties.

• Go to the Digital Signatures tab, choose Details, click View Certificate, and move to the General tab in the Certificate window.
• Click Install Certificate, and you will now see the Certificate Import Wizard welcome screen.
• Check and ensure that the Store Location is on Current User and click Next to proceed.
• Click Next and Finish on the Certificate Store window, and once the import is successful, click OK.

If you still can’t get the latest payroll updates even after installing the digital signature certificate for QuickBooks, follow the next solution.

Solution 14: Temporarily Disable UAC

• Go to the Control Panel from the Start menu, choose User Accounts (Classic View), and select Change user account control settings.

• Click Yes if prompted by UAC to proceed and move the slider to Never Notify to disable the UAC.
• Restart your system and retry downloading the payroll updates.
• If the updates are installed, enable the UAC by moving the slider to Always Notify.

Retry downloading and installing the latest payroll updates to check if this solution helped resolve the issue.

Conclusion

This guide was about the best methods to implement when QuickBooks payroll update not working. If you can’t implement one or more solutions for any reason or the solutions don’t prove helpful, contact the support team at 1(800) 780-3064.

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Gabby Taylor

Gabby Taylor, combines financial expertise with literary prowess. With over a decade in finance, she crafts insightful narratives on navigating fiscal complexities