How to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error 15215?

Have you encountered QuickBooks error 15215 and are unsure how to resolve this issue? Relax, you need not worry, since this article will talk about this issue in detail. QuickBooks error code 15215 typically occurs when updating QuickBooks to the latest version or when downloading payroll updates. This issue appears in the window when you are executing payroll updates or performing maintenance releases. Furthermore, when you are experiencing this issue, the server may stop or have inadequate access.

When downloading the payroll updates, a user is expected to witness the following error message:

Error	Description
Server Not Responding Problem Error 15215:	QuickBooks could not verify the digital signature for the update file.
Error 15215:	Unable to verify the digital signature.

To help you fix this payroll update error in QuickBooks, we are sharing the complete causes, symptoms, and solution steps to help you deal with technical problems.

What is the QuickBooks Payroll Update error 15215?

QuickBooks Error 15215 generally appears when you attempt to download the payroll updates. It occurs when there is a certain conflict with any other application functioning in the system when the payroll is upgrading. Not to mention, the software working in the background application may use bandwidth too much, leading to the occurrence of this error.

What are the Causes that trigger QuickBooks Error 15215?

One of several of the reasons given below may trigger QuickBooks Error 15215 in your QuickBooks Payroll:

QuickBooks Desktop authenticates the signature on respective company files. The error may arise in case any file that is being downloaded during the update procedure fails to verify.

• Windows is malware-infected or virus-infected.
• Users may be getting the error because of a wrong configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer.
• The issue may arise if QuickBooks installation is wrong or inappropriate.

What are the Symptoms of QuickBooks Error Code 15215?

Here is the list of the causes that trigger the QuickBooks Error 15215:

• Error code 15215 causes all active programs and applications to crash.
• The system may become corrupted when running the same program simultaneously.
• The message “Error 15215: Unable to verify digital signature” is displayed.
• Windows performance slows down.
• The system responds slowly to mouse and keyboard inputs.
• The computer may freeze after some time.

How to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error 15215 successfully?

Here is a step-by-step solutions to resolve QuickBooks Error 15215:

Solution 1: Reboot the System

First, you need to restart your system. Because of this, the application that safeguards the QuickBooks Payroll force to quit or prompt to re-fix its setting in order to erase the restricted connection by reconfiguration.

You need to restart the desktop and in case the issue resolves but the error code appears after frequent intervals, in such a case, you need to consult and verify that no program is operating on the system. In case it does, then it can be a reason behind the occurrence of the error.

Solution 2: Run QuickBooks Desktop as an Admin

When the user runs QuickBooks Desktop as an Admin, they are permitted to run a majority of the Windows programs. Also, it allows the accounting software to use all the required resources in an unobstructed manner for smooth functioning.

Hence, administrator mode should be used to handle the QuickBooks payroll update error 15215.

1. You need to shut the QuickBooks Desktop if it is opened.
2. Press right-click on the QuickBooks software icon on your Desktop and press the option, Run as Administrator.
3. Choose Yes in case the following message appears on the window:
   1. Do you wish to permit this program to perform changes on your system?

Solution 3: Recognizing and Shutting the Conflicting Programs

Classifying and ending the conflicting programs can assist in resolving the error in the following way:

1. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys together in order to open the Control Panel.
2. Now in the Control Panel, you will be able to witness the list of presently running background programs.
3. Press the Processes tab, and shut the programs one after another by pressing the button, End Process.
4. See if you are still experiencing the error every time you end the process.

Solution 4: Verify Use TLS 1.0 is checked, and Use TLS 1.1 and Use TLS 1.2 are unchecked in the Internet Options window of Internet Explorer

The user needs to authenticate that the use of TLS 1.0 is checked and that the TLS 1.2 and 1.1 are not checked in the Internet Explorer.

1. Shut QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Open Internet Explorer. Now go to Tools and then Internet Options and then click the Advanced tab.
3. Navigate to Settings and find these options. But, such options may not be present in Internet Explorer.
   • Use TLS 1.0
   • Use TLS 1.1
   • Use TLS 1.2
4. Confirm that Use TLS 1.0 is checked.
5. Confirm that the following are unchecked:
   • Use TLS 1.1
   • Use TLS 1.2
6. Press OK and shut the window. Also, the user must shut the Internet Explorer entirely.
7. Finally, the user needs to start the system again and open the QuickBooks Desktop. Next, try downloading again the updates and see if the QuickBooks error code 15215 exists or not.

Solution 5: Firewall Settings Configuration

Any QuickBooks user is likely to experience this issue because of networking problems. Networking problems may arise if the firewall has restricted Internet access for QuickBooks Programs or Files. In order to resolve this problem, you need to run the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool.

In case the tool fails to fix the firewall problem, you need to manually configure firewall ports in the following manner:

1. Press the Windows Start menu.
2. Look for and then open Windows Firewall.
3. In the dialog box for Windows Firewall, press Advanced Settings.
4. Under the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, press right-click Inbound Rules and then choose New Rule.
5. In the screen that comes up from the window for Rule Type, select Port and then press Next.
6. In the screen for Protocol and Ports, make sure the TCP is chosen.
7. In the field for Specific Local Ports, add any of such ports depending on the QuickBooks version you are using:
   • QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377.
   • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
   • QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
   • QuickBooks Desktop 2020: 8019, XXXXX.
8. Once you have added the port number you need to press Next.
9. In the screen for Action, select the Allow the Connection radio button and then press Next.
10. Now, prepare a rule and create a name for it.
11. Choose Finish.

You need to repeat the steps mentioned above for preparing outbound rules. You need to execute the same steps, except choose Outbound Rules in step 4.

If you still witness the error message, shift to the next solution.

Note: If you are accessing several QuickBooks Desktop versions on the same system, you will require to manually configure the firewall ports for every version.

Solution 6: Restart the Windows in Selective Startup

It is possible to handle error 15215 by choosing the selective startup mode in Windows XP or any other operating system with the help of the steps given below:

• First, the user must shut down the QuickBooks Desktop.
• Now click Windows + R keys in order to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, the user needs to type msconfig. and then click OK.

• It will open the particular System Configuration screen.
• Now the user needs to checkmark Selective Startup and then uncheck the option, Load Startup Item. Now the user needs to save the changes by pressing an OK button.

• The user needs to start the system again. Open the QuickBooks again and then shift the current tax table.
• Now download and update and then open the System Configuration utility.
• Now, check the box for Normal Startup and click OK.

Finally, you need to start the system once more and see if the error is resolved or not.

Solution 7: Reset QuickBooks Updates

Here are the steps to reset QuickBooks updates to resolve the issue:

1. Open QuickBooks software and press Help
2. Now press Update QuickBooks.
3. In the dialog box for Update QuickBooks Desktop, press the tab, Update Now.
4. Now choose the checkbox Reset Update.
5. After all the last update downloads are cleared, press Get Updates to start the download.
6. When you are notified to install the update, press Yes.

Now see if the payroll updates have been downloaded successfully.

Solution 8: Conduct a Clean Install of your QuickBooks Desktop

As a last move, you need to conduct a clean installation of your QuickBooks Desktop version with the help of the steps below:

• Uninstall QuickBooks Desktop.
• Download the QuickBooks Clean Install it and launch it.
• Manually rename the QuickBooks Desktop Installation folders.
• Install QuickBooks Desktop again.

Final Words

In today’s article, we have covered every major query related to the topic QuickBooks error code 15215 which restricts users from downloading and conducting major updates like payroll.

Still, if you have any further queries or wish to talk about a certain step, you can reach out to us. Our team of QuickBooks experts can help you fix your queries and make your software free of the error 15215.

Frequently Asked Questions