Tax season is just around the corner, so no one wants to get an unexpected payroll error message. To get back to running your business and paying your employees on time, let's take a look at some ways you can troubleshoot some common error messages.

Troubleshooting Payroll Service Server Error or Payroll Connection Error

QuickBooks Desktop Payroll has a few errors that you may receive when sending payroll data or direct deposit paychecks. Here are a few examples:

• An error occurred while connecting to the payroll service. Please try again later. If this problem persists, please contact Intuit Technical Support.
• Error connecting to payroll.

One of the following can cause these errors:

• The security certificate is invalid.
• Multi-user payroll data sending.
• QuickBooks Desktop cannot access the server due to a network time out.
• Problems with internet connections in general.
• Settings for personal firewall software and internet security.
• The date and time properties of the system are incorrect.

In the event that you receive any of these error messages, you can try a few different solutions. It is important to send your payroll after you have tried each solution and seen if it works. You should also make sure you are in single-user mode whenever sending payroll data. Let's take a closer look at these solutions.

Solution 1:Download and install the latest tax tables

Solution 2:Make sure to update your system date and time if they are incorrect.

Solution 3:Reboot your computer as a third solution

QuickBooks Error 15276 While Trying to Update Payroll

Error 15276 in your QuickBooks Desktop account typically arises when a file slated for update is currently in use and cannot be substituted.

This issue can be resolved by running the Quick Fix my Program tool from the QuickBooks Tools Hub. Here's how to do it:

• QuickBooks should be closed.
• Save the QuickBooks Tool Hub file somewhere you can easily locate it (such as your Downloads folder or your Windows desktop).
• The QuickBooksToolHub.exe file you downloaded should be opened.
• To install and agree to the terms and conditions, follow the instructions on-screen.
• Open the tool hub by double-clicking the icon on your Windows desktop once the installation is complete.

Following these steps will allow you to run the Quick Fix My Program.

• Select Program Problems from the QuickBooks Tools Hub.
• You can fix your program quickly by clicking the Quick Fix button.
• Open your data file in QuickBooks Desktop.
• The latest tax table can be downloaded here.

Perform a clean install of QuickBooks in Selective Startup if the above steps don't work.

QuickBooks error PS038 When Running Payroll, Downloading Tax Table Updates

Whenever a client attempts to send a paycheck via online mode, an error message with the code PS038 appears on the screen. This code also hinders the sending of workers' payroll information. The error message specifically mentions "You will seeQuickBooks error PS038when running payroll, downloading tax table updates, and if paychecks get stuck as Online to Send". An inactive Payroll Membership is one of the main causes of this QuickBooks Desktop update error.

Step 1: Update and back up your QuickBooks data

Make a backup copy of your QuickBooks Desktop company file before proceeding with the steps below.

Step 2: Send your payroll data or usage data

• In Employees, select My Payroll Service, then select Send Usage Data. If you don't see this option, follow the next step.
• Select Send Payroll Data under Employees.
• Select Send All in the Send/Receive Payroll Data window. Enter your payroll service pin if prompted.

You can try again to get payroll updates if the send was successful. If the error persists, proceed to the next step.

Please contact us if the send fails.

Step 3: Identify stuck paychecks

• Select Find from Edit.
• Go to the Advanced tab.
• Select the Advanced tab.
• Select Detail Level in the Choose Filter section.
• Please select only the summary.
• Select Online Status from the Filter list, then select Online to Send.
• Select Find, and you'll see paychecks that weren't sent to Intuit.
• proceed to Step 4 after noting the "Number of matches" on the Find window.

Step 4: Verify and rebuild your data

• Run a verify data after closing the Find window to see the stuck paychecks.
• Rebuild your data file next.
• If the error persists, try downloading your payroll updates again.

Step 5: Toggle the stuck paychecks

As in Step 3, these are the same paychecks.

• The oldest stuck paycheck should be opened.
• Click on Paycheck Detail.
• Add the same earnings item as the last earnings item in the Review Paycheck window.
• Add another earnings item named Hourly Rate if Hourly Rate is the last item on the list.
• The Net Pay Locked message will appear. Select No.
• Select OK if the tax amounts and net pay have not changed.
• Select Yes if you receive a Past Transaction message.
• To close a paycheck, select Save Close.
• When the Recording Transaction warning message appears, select Yes.
• Select the Paycheck Details button again.
• In the Earnings section, delete the earnings items you just added.
• Select OK if the tax amounts and net pay have not changed.
• For each stuck paycheck found in Step 2, repeat these steps.

Repeat Step 1 and download the tax table update again.