Troubleshoot QuickBooks Payroll Update Not Working

QuickBooks Payroll won’t update issue is usually faced by users when they enter invalid or incorrect details in the paychecks. Poor internet connection, outdated QuickBooks version, damaged payroll file, expired payroll subscription, and corrupted company file are also a possible cause of this issue where QuickBooks Payroll update not working.

You must immediately resolve this issue to increase the productivity of QuickBooks Payroll users. It is important to update QuickBooks payroll to make employee payments and record taxes simultaneously. This error occurs along with an error message that indicates the underlying cause of this issue. In this article, you will get a complete step-by-step guide to resolve the QuickBooks Payroll update doesn’t work issue and its causes.

However, upon attempting to access payroll functions, an error message requesting an update pops up on your screen. Payroll hasn’t been updated in 35 days, thus some features have been temporarily disabled. You are not able to generate payroll tax forms in QuickBooks, nor will it compute taxes on paychecks.

Causes of the QuickBooks Payroll Updates Not Working

The following are some of the most often cited causes of the QuickBooks Payroll update not working.

• An unstable or unreliable internet connection is one of the main causes of mistakes that occur when updating the payroll in QuickBooks.
• An error may also arise when updating the payroll if any crucial data files are missing.
• Online programs such as QuickBooks require essential Windows and Microsoft components to operate.

Troubleshooting QuickBooks Payroll Update Not Working Issue

• Create a backup file of QuickBooks Desktop, and 
• Update the software to its latest version.

Try the following methods to resolve the QuickBooks Payroll update not working.

• Send Payroll to Intuit
• Identify Stuck Paychecks
• Verify and Rebuild Data
• Toggle the stuck paychecks
• Allowing the Windows Permissions
• Modify the settings of the Internet

Solution 1: Send Payroll to Intuit

Once the above-mentioned prerequisites are done, refer to the solutions provided below:

• Step 1: Go to the Employees tab, click on the My Payroll Service, and then click on the Send Usage Data option. Refer to the other steps if these options are not visible to you.
• Step 2: Again, go to the Employees tab and click on the Send Payroll Data button.
• Step 3: Click on the Send All option from the Send/Receive Payroll Data window. Submit the payroll service pin if there’s a prompt.
• Step 4: You will get the payroll updates again if you have successfully received them from Intuit.

Solution 2: Identify Stuck Paychecks

The QuickBooks payroll update often doesn’t work properly because the paychecks are stuck. Here are the steps to identify the stuck paychecks and send them the Intuit:

• Step 1: Navigate to the Edit option and click on Find. 
• Step 2: Click on the Advanced tab. 
• Step 3: Now, click on the Choose Filter section and click on Detail Level from the Filter list. 
• Step 4:  Click on the Summary Only option.
• Step 5: Navigate to the Filter list once again and keep scrolling. Once you find the Online Status toggle, click on it and select the Online to Send option.
• Step 6: Click on Find, and the stuck paychecks will be displayed. 
• Step 7: Lastly, you will have to note the Number of Matches from the Find window. 

After you follow the above-mentioned steps, move on to the 3rd solution.

Solution 3- Verify and rebuild the data

Follow the steps below, once you find all unsent and stuck paychecks that have to be sent to Intuit.

• Click the file tab after launching QuickBooks Desktop.
• After selecting the utility option by scrolling down, select the “Verify Data” option. To end the other running Windows, click OK.
• Wait for a short while, as the validated data tool completes the required tasks.
• Proceed with the repair process and return to the File menu to access utilities if a program error occurs and a message instructs you to use rebuilt data to repair corporate files.
• You must try downloading the payroll update after you complete the previous steps.
• Verify whether the paychecks are sent or stuck.

Solution 4: Toggle the stuck paychecks

As a final resolution to fixing the QuickBooks Payroll Not Working error, you will have to toggle the stuck paychecks. Follow the steps given below to toggle stuck paychecks in QuickBooks. 

• Step 1: Open the stuck paychecks obtained in solution 2.
• Step 2: Click on the Paycheck Detail button.
• Step 3: Go to the Review Paycheck window from the Earnings section. 
• Step 4: Now, you must add the same earning item as the list’s previous earning item. 

Tips: For example, add an earnings items naming it is Hourly Rate in the lists, if Hourly Rate is the list’s previous item.

• Step 5: A “Net Pay Locked” message will be displayed. Click on the No button.
• Step 6: Verify that the net pay and tax amounts have not changed. Once verification is done, hit the OK button.
• Step 7: Click on the Yes button if a Past Transaction message appears.
• Step 8: To close the paycheck, select the Save & Close option.
• Step 9: When the Recording Transaction warning appears, click on the Yes button.
• Step 10: Reopen the paycheck. Click the option named “Paycheck Details”.
• Step 11: In the Earnings section, remove the earnings items you recently added.
• Step 12: Verify that the net pay and tax amounts have not changed. Click on the OK button.
• Step 13:  Now, you will have to repeat this process for each stuck or unsent paycheck found in Solution 2.
• Step 14: After you have fixed the issue of each unprocessed paycheck, try downloading the tax table update once more.

Additional Solutions

Allowing the Windows permissions

• Navigate to the windows and then click on the start menu.
• In the Windows search bar type File Explorer and click on Enter.
• Search for the QuickBooks executable file and follow the following steps
  • The path of the file is QBW32.EXE
  • 32-bit C:\Program files\intuit\quickbooks (Year)
  • 64-bit C:\Program files\intuit\quickbooks (Year)
• To access its properties, right-click on the QuickBooks executable files (QBW32.EXE).
• Select security and then edit then add then enter each person in the window, and click on the enter button.
• Check the box for complete control in the security window, and then click OK.
• Choose Add again, type users into the window, and then click OK. Check the box for complete control in the security window, and then click OK.

Modify the settings of the Internet

• Exit from the QuickBooks Desktop and then open the Internet Explorer on the screen.
• Now navigate to the tools icon in the upper right corner of the screen and then click on it.
• Click on the Internet option from the drop-down menu.
• Navigate to the advanced settings tab on your screen and then hit the reset or restore default button.
• Now hit the apply button and confirm it by clicking on the OK button
• Open the QuickBooks Desktop.
• Hit the employees tab and then click on the get payroll updates option.
• Select the box which is next to download an entire update.
• Hit the download latest update option.

Conclusion

When you are resolving the QuickBooks Payroll update not working issue, it is crucial to ensure smooth payroll processing and accurate tax records. By addressing the potential causes such as incorrect paycheck details, network issues, outdated software, or corrupted files, users can resolve the error effectively. Following the step-by-step solutions outlined such as Windows update, internet connection, verifying and rebuilding data, and upgrading the payroll version will help restore functionality. Timely resolution of this error will enhance the productivity of QuickBooks users, ensuring seamless payroll operations and compliance with tax requirements. In the above article, we explained all the causes and how to overcome from QuickBooks Payroll not updating issue. But still, if you are not able to overcome the issues then contact us on our toll-free number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Errors Related to the Failure of QuickBooks Payroll Updates