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Fix QuickBooks Payroll Update Error PS038 [Solved 2025]

Updated: Dec 30, 2024

QuickBooks payroll is the most useful service that helps users manage their payroll. To keep the application in compliance with the latest law, you must update it at regular intervals. Updating the QuickBooks payroll is a straightforward process. However, users might face the technical glitch "QuickBooks error PS038" while installing the latest payroll updates. Read this blog until the end to learn more about the QuickBooks error PS 038, including its effective solutions, ensuring the payroll management works well without any interruption.


Dial our helpline number 1.844.580.0110 to learn the instant solutions to fixing QuickBooks error PS 038.


What do you understand about QuickBooks Error PS 038?


QuickBooks error PS 038 appears on your screen when users try to download the latest payroll system. Also, you will get this error when paychecks get stuck in the "online to send" option. As a result of this error, you are unable to run the QuickBooks payroll smoothly. Whenever the error message appears on your screen, the following error message will appear on your screen, stating: "You have successfully downloaded the latest payroll update patch and verified your payroll subscription. We strongly recommend that you go online again before XX/XX/XXXX [PS038]". In order to resume your payroll journey, fixing the error becomes essential.


Why Does QuickBooks Payroll Error PS 038 Appear on your Screen?


Knowing the exact causes of the QuickBooks Payroll error, PS038, will help in picking the right troubleshooting method. Here are some of the prominent reasons why you are getting the QuickBooks payroll error PS 038.


• The payroll information is outdated or inaccurate.

• QuickBooks company file data is damaged/ incorrect.

• You have wrongly set up the QuickBooks payroll employee data.

• QuickBooks payroll subscription is inactive.

• The Windows firewall or anti-virus has blocked the QuickBooks payroll system.

• Poor or weak internet connection is causing the network problem.


What are the Side Effects of Getting the QuickBooks Payroll Error PS 038?


Once you get the QuickBooks update error PS 038, your system will start showing the below-mentioned symptoms.


1. The payroll update method gets interrupted in the middle.

2. It slows down the application processing time.

3. The window of your system crashes or stops responding to your queries.

4. Dealing with the QuickBooks payroll data becomes difficult.

5. Certain functionalities of QuickBooks become unavailable.


Proven Tips to Troubleshoot the QuickBooks Error PS 038


After understanding the error and its causes, let us move toward the troubleshooting process of this payroll update error. Let us explore the different solutions one by one.


Solution 1: Update QuickBooks


The most basic solution to this error is to reinstall the latest QuickBooks updates in your system. The steps to update the QuickBooks application manually are:

• Foremost, open the QuickBooks application in your system and click on the HELP MENU button.

• After that, choose the Update QuickBooks Desktop application option from the drop-down menu.

• It will open the update window, where you need to select the updates which need to be installed.

• After that, click on the GET UPDATES button to download the updates in your system.

• Now, close and re-open the QuickBooks application and then press the YES button to install the updates in your system.


Solution 2: Update the Payroll System


Once the QuickBooks application is updated, you need to update the QuickBooks payroll system.

The steps that will help you in updating the QuickBooks payroll system are:


• Open the QuickBooks payroll and click on the Employee menu option.

• After that, click on the GET PAYROLL UPDATES option.

• Now, select the checkbox stating the "Download Entire Update" option.

• Select the download most recent update option. The message window will appear on your box stating, "Download has been Completed."


Solution 3: Check the QuickBooks Payroll Subscription


The inactive payroll subscription will lead to the QuickBooks payroll update error PS 038. Follow the steps listed below to check the QuickBooks payroll subscription.


• Log into the QuickBooks application using your admin credentials.

• After that, click on the Employee section and then choose the Payroll Centre option.

• In the service information window, check the service status. Make sure it is active.

• If it is inactive, click on the Reactivate button and complete the on-screen prompts to complete the reactivation status.

Solution 4: Identify the Stuck Paychecks and Rebuild the data


QuickBooks update error PS 038 appears on your screen due to the stuck paychecks on the QuickBooks desktop. To resolve the error, you must identify the stuck paycheck and rebuild your data. The steps that will help you in fixing the stuck paychecks are:


Step 1: Locate all the Stuck Paychecks


• In the QuickBooks desktop, click on the EDIT button and pick the FIND option from the drop-down list.

• In the FIND window, click on the ADVANCED tab and move towards the CHOOSE FILTER section.

• Thereafter, press the FILTER LIST and pick the detail level option.

• Press the SUMMARY ONLY option.

• Again, move back to the FILTER LIST option and scroll down to the ONLINE STATUS option.

• Here, select the ONLINE TO SEND option.

• Now, click on the FIND section and see paychecks that weren't sent to Intuit.

• Note down the number of matches and move forward.


Step 2: Run the verify and Rebuild data


After this, run the Verify and Rebuild data function. The steps that will help you in running the Verify and rebuild data option are:


Run The Verify Tool


• Open the QuickBooks desktop and click on the File Menu option.

• Here, choose the utility option and then pick the VERIFY data option.

• It will run the Verify function to detect the data discrepancies in the QuickBooks company file.


Run the Rebuild Tool


• Open the QuickBooks and click on the File menu option.

• After that, choose the utility option and pick the REBUILD DATA option.

• It will fix the issues detected by the VERIFY function.


Solution 5: Send the Payroll data or Usage Data


The steps that will help you in fixing the error are as follows:


• In the QuickBooks payroll, click on the EMPLOYEE tab and choose the MY PAYROLL SERVICES option from the drop-down.

• Thereafter, select the SEND USAGE DATA option and choose the SEND ALL option in the SEND/RECEIVE PAYROLL DATA.

• Enter the admin credentials if asked.


Solution 6: Run QuickBooks as Admin


QuickBooks will lead to several technical issues if you are running the QuickBooks application without the admin credential. The easiest way is to run the QuickBooks as an admin using the steps mentioned below:


• Close all the currently running applications and right-click on the QuickBooks desktop icon.

• Further, choose the RUN AS AN ADMIN option from the drop-down list.

• Enter the admin credential when asked and press the ENTER key.

• It will run the QuickBooks as an admin.


Wrapping Up


QuickBooks payroll is an amazing service from INTUIT which helps users with their payroll. The error in payroll will affect your work process. Hopefully, this blog will help you resolve the QuickBooks payroll error PS 038. If the error persists, you can contact our experts directly by dialling our helpline number 1.844.580.0110.


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