QuickBooks Payroll Update Not Working or Not Updating Error

Experiencing QuickBooks Payroll Update Not Working can be very annoying because QuickBooks fails to update despite many efforts. QuickBooks Desktop, widely acclaimed for making daily tasks easy, includes the crucial Payroll feature that handles tax details and employee finances.

Still, this important tool is not free of problems, with several users often reporting issues when updating the payroll. This usually happens because of corrupted installation files. Today’s article will discuss this common issue in detail, like its causes, step-by-step solutions, etc., to make your payroll smooth.

Let us begin by understanding what the QuickBooks Payroll Update not working is all about.

What is the QuickBooks Payroll Update Not Working issue?

The QuickBooks Payroll Update not working problem displays the failure of the payroll update. Once you run an update, the payroll gets the files from the internet and then installs them.

Once the installation is over, the error message appears:

You have received the current payroll update and verified your Payroll Subscription, which is displayed on the screen.

Hence, it is highly recommended to go online.

However, when you attempt to open payroll features, an error message again comes up on your screen that requests you to update payroll. Here is the message:

Payroll has not been updated for 35 days, so some features have been temporarily disabled. QuickBooks will not calculate taxes on a paycheck, and you cannot create payroll tax forms.

What are the Reasons that the QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Update Not Working?

QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Update Not responding can occur due to many causes. It is important to identify such causes for proper troubleshooting and maintaining proficient payroll operations:

1. Using an old version of QuickBooks can trigger compatibility problems with the new payroll updates.
2. A QuickBooks installation that is corrupted can stop the payroll update from being applied in the right manner.
3. A wrong QuickBooks service key is important to activate payroll services in QuickBooks, and wrong entries can lead to failed updates.
4. An inactive or expired payroll subscription will not get updates.
5. Antivirus software or firewall that blocks QuickBooks processes by mistake, including updates.
6. An outdated operating system or corrupt Windows files can impact the functionality of QuickBooks significantly.
7. A corrupted QuickBooks company file can arise when payroll files are copied to your system when the update is going on, causing malfunctions.
8. Wrong paycheck information can hamper the update procedure.
9. Using QuickBooks minus any admin credentials can limit the necessary permissions required to update the payroll.
10. A wrong Employer Identification Number (EIN) can cause irregularities and update failures.
11. Network problems that hamper the update download procedure.
12. Restricted permissions on the Windows user account that is functioning in QuickBooks can stop updates.
13. Issues caused by other applications running seamlessly with QuickBooks can hamper the update procedure.

Why is My QuickBooks Payroll Not Working?

There can be multiple reasons why your QuickBooks payroll not responding. Several problems may occur when you fail to download the current payroll updates.

Here is a list of a few of the most common ones:

1. Defective QuickBooks Installation File: When the QuickBooks Installation file is damaged or faulty, downloading the current QuickBooks Payroll update is not possible.
2. Corrupted Company File: When the company file is corrupted or damaged, QuickBooks payroll fails to open.
3. Wrong Employee Identification Number: The payroll update failed because you entered an invalid employee identification number.
4. Old QuickBooks Desktop: In case you are using an old QuickBooks Desktop version or an outdated version, it may stop you from using QuickBooks Payroll.
5. Browser-related Problems: The presence of cache, unnecessary cookies, and history in Internet Explorer or any other browser may stop QuickBooks from opening.
6. Incorrect Time and Date settings: In case the date and time settings are wrong or misconfigured, the payroll updating process may be disrupted.

Errors Related to QuickBooks Payroll Updates may include

How to Fix the Error QuickBooks Payroll Update not working efficiently?

In case you are witnessing some problems with QuickBooks Payroll not working, here are some of the important steps to fix it. You need to follow them and implement the instructions given:

Solution 1: Update your QuickBooks Desktop Manually

To fix an internal problem that is restricting QuickBooks from downloading and installing the updates, you need to update manually with the help of the steps below:

1. Shut down your company file screen and then exit QuickBooks.
2. Now press the Windows icon on the left bottom side of the screen to use the Start menu.
3. Access the search bar to locate QuickBooks Desktop.
4. Press right-click on the QuickBooks Desktop icon and then select Run as Administrator.
5. Now you will see the No Company Open screen.
6. Press Help and then choose Update QuickBooks Desktop from the available dropdown.
7. Navigate to Options and then select Mark All.
8. Now press Save.
9. Now press Update Now and choose the checkbox beside Reset Update.
10. Lastly, press the Get Updates option and once it is completed, restart your system.

Solution 2: Enable Windows Permissions

You can enable Windows permissions to allow QuickBooks Payroll to update:

1. Open the Start menu in Windows.
2. Enter File Explorer in the Windows search to open it.
3. Find the QuickBooks executable file. It will be a processor type:
   1. The file path of QBW32.EXE
   2. 32-bit C:\Program Files\intuit\QuickBooks (Year)
   3. 64-bit C:\Program Files x86\intuit\QuickBooks (Year)
4. Now press right-click the QuickBooks executable (QBW32.EXE) file and choose Properties.
5. Select Security and then click Edit. Now choose Add and then add Everyone on the screen and press OK.
6. In the Security screen, choose the checkbox for Full Control and press OK.
7. Now choose Add again add Users in the screen and press OK. In the Security screen, choose the check box for Full Control and choose OK.
8. When completed, press Apply and choose OK to shut the settings.

Solution 3: Activate your QuickBooks Desktop before running the payroll updates

When you face issues while downloading or installing payroll updates, QuickBooks may not be registered or activated.

This issue mainly arises when you update the software recently and can be handled with the steps given below:

1. On your system, open QuickBooks and then press the Help menu.
2. Choose the Activate QuickBooks Desktop option and use the guidelines on the window to register your QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Try to complete the payroll tasks once you are prompted about the QuickBooks Desktop activation.

Solution 4: Use Clean Installation to fix the QuickBooks Program

In case the Update Account feature in QuickBooks is not responding, you need to implement the steps below, perform a clean installation, and fix the QuickBooks Payroll Update problem:

1. First, take a backup of the company file.
2. Now shut QuickBooks Desktop and press the Windows icon.
3. Look for the Control Panel and choose it.
4. Press Programs and Features and then select Uninstall a Program.
5. Find and choose QuickBooks Desktop from the available program list.
6. Press Uninstall/Change and select Remove QB.
7. Execute the prompts given on-screen enabling the procedure to finish.
8. Now reinstall QuickBooks Desktop with the help of your installation file and restore the company file backup.
9. Lastly, download the latest payroll tax table update and install it.

Solution 5: Update the Payroll Version

To update the payroll version, follow the steps below:

1. Press the Employee menu.
2. Now choose the option, Get Payroll Updates.
3. Now click the option, Download Entire Update. No press Update.
4. In case the download was successful, then a message will appear stating that your system has a new or payroll tax update installed. Choose the OK button to read the changes.
5. Press the OK button. If it fails to work, you must rename the folder and include OLD at the end of the name.
6. Once the changes are made, the statement must be updated again.
7. In case that does not work for you, you need to switch off User Account Control.
8. After the User Account Control is turned off, try to download the update once more.

Solution 6: Change Internet Settings

Here are the steps to change the internet settings and fix the QuickBooks Payroll update error:

1. Quit QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Now open Internet Explorer on your window.
3. Shift to select the Tools icon on the upper right side of the screen.
4. On the drop-down menu, click Internet Options.
5. In the Advanced Settings section of your window, press the Reset or Restore defaults button.
6. Click the Apply button and press OK. Now QuickBooks Desktop will open.
7. Press the Employee tab and choose the option, Get Payroll Updates.
8. Select the box beside Download Entire Update.
9. Choose the Download Latest Update option and wait for some time till the updates finish installing and you see the message Download Complete on your window.
10. Restart the system.

Solution 7: Confirm the Verify Data and Rebuild Data Tool in QuickBooks Desktop

The Verify and Rebuild data tool is created to diagnose and fix common technical problems causing QuickBooks Payroll Update error:

1. Launch QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Now go to the File menu.
3. Go down to the Utilities and choose Verify Data. Confirm all the windows are closed.
4. Wait for some time for the Verify tool to finish the task.
5. In case the error message comes up, recommend a repair via Rebuild Data and do as per the prompt.
6. Get back to the File menu and choose Utilities again.
7. Now select Rebuild Data.
8. Follow the prompts to get back to the company file and move ahead.
9. Enable the tool to run and press OK when completed.

Solution 8: Confirm the Date and Time of the system

Wrong date and time settings can change payroll updates. To fix the payroll issue, follow the steps given below:

1. Press right-click on your system and choose Adjust Date/Time.
2. Select Change Date and Time from the given dropdown.
3. Confirm Changes by clicking OK.
4. Close QuickBooks and then reopen it.
5. Now try the payroll update once more to see if the issue persists.

Solution 9: Restart the System in Safe Mode

In case the solutions stated above fail to fix the issue, try to restart the system in Safe Mode to separate the possible conflicts.

Here is the step-by-step procedure:

1. Shut down the programs running at present and make sure all the work is saved.
2. Press the Start menu and then choose the Power icon.
3. While pressing the Shift key, press on Restart.
4. Your system will need to restart and then the Advanced Boot Options menu will be shown.
5. Select the Troubleshoot option and then click Advanced options.
6. From there, press the Startup settings and go to the option, Restart.
7. When the computer starts again, a list of the startup options will come up.
8. To restart your system in Safe Mode, click the F4 key.
9. Sign in to the system with your credentials.
10. After you are in Safe Mode, open QuickBooks Desktop.
11. Try to perform the payroll update once more.

Final Words

The difficulties of QuickBooks Payroll not updating into the accounting software update. There are several reasons why a problem might not be working, many of which we have discussed in this article. After reading this article, we hope you have gained useful knowledge and practical solutions to address this issue in your system going forward.

Still, if you have certain doubts or questions that require professional help and expertise, you can get in touch with our team of QuickBooks experts.

Talk to our tech support team at +1800-961-4963.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How to prevent QuickBooks Payroll Update not working errors from occurring in the future?

Ans: Here are the points to implement to prevent QuickBooks Payroll Update not working error from occurring in the future:

1. Maintain a reliable internet connection.
2. Check the firewall and antivirus settings.
3. Take a backup of your company files before trying updates.
4. Make sure the QuickBooks and operating system are updated.
5. Conduct routine maintenance.

Q2: Why do you need to update QuickBooks Payroll?

Ans: You can get the most recent version of QuickBooks with accurate tax rates and a provisional data table by updating the payroll feature. You will encounter some issues when processing payroll if you do not have the most recent version.

Q3: What detail is needed to check when QuickBooks Payroll fails to open?

Ans: Here is the list of information required to check when the QuickBooks Payroll fails to open:

1. Principal Officer’s Date of Birth
2. Principal (Designated) Officer’s Physical Address
3. Industry Type
4. Designated Officer’s Social Security Number
5. Business Type
6. Physical Business Address.

Q4: Why is my QuickBooks Payroll not updating?

Ans: Various reasons include poor internet connection, missing data files or issues with Windows components can lead to QuickBooks Payroll not updating. Ensuring a stable network and necessary files can resolve this. 

Q5: What if I've tried all solutions and the issue still doesn’t resolve?

Ans: If the problem continues then our experts are ready to provide personalized assistance. Reach out to our Experts for support in resolving QuickBooks Payroll update challenges.