When downloading QuickBooks payroll updates, you can sometimes encounter various challenges. One of the common problems that you might face is QuickBooks error PS033. Here’s the error message that you are likely to observe on your system’s screen:
| “[PS033]: QuickBooks Can’t Read Your Payroll Setup Files” |
This error code is generally classified in the PSXXX error series. Here are some key indications that will help you recognize this issue:
- The payroll update process won’t be complete on your computer, and you may find that the QB window has suddenly closed.
- Various third-party apps currently installed on the system will stop working.
- QB payroll functions will stop operating.
- You might witness system freezing & it is also possible that your system will shut down without any message.
Fortunately, there are proven tactics that you can easily utilize to resolve this problem. Let’s jump into the article to explore the major causes of this error and find out how we can troubleshoot it quickly.
If you want instant help to fix QuickBooks error PS033, you can dial +1-(855)-955-1942 to contact an experienced QB professional.
What are the Factors That Can Cause QB Payroll Error PS033?
You might run into QuickBooks error PS033 due to the different reasons listed below:
- You may not have updated QuickBooks, and thus, it might have become incompatible with the Windows operating system.
- Third-party programs running in the background on your computer can interfere with the payroll update process.
- Your payroll service subscription might have expired.
- You may face this issue if you haven’t activated QB Desktop on the system.
- Defects in the QB program setup can provoke various problems during the update process.
- Corruption in the company data can cause internal issues when you install payroll tax table updates.
- Using an obsolete Windows version might cause compatibility issues with different apps, including QB, on your computer.
- Damaged files in the CPS folder might not allow the server to verify your payroll setup details, causing various errors.
- Restrictive UAC (User Account Control) settings can trigger failure when you attempt to install new software updates.
- Corrupt system files can hinder you from operating QuickBooks during various tasks.
Now that you are familiar with the different factors that can provoke this problem, let’s scroll down to the next section to discover proven solutions for it.
12 Spectacular Ways to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error PS033
Here are several troubleshooting methods that you can implement for QuickBooks error PS033. Ensure that you use these fixes in the order they are detailed.
1. Review Your QB Payroll Service Subscription
The most common factor that can provoke QB Desktop error PS033 is the inactive payroll service subscription. You can fix this error by ensuring that you have an active payroll subscription along with a valid service key number. Here’s what you need to do:
- Firstly, access QuickBooks and navigate to the Employees menu.
- Choose My Payroll Service, and after that, you have to click Manage Service Key.
- Verify the Service Name and Status shown on the window. Note that the Status must be Active.
- Tap Edit, and after that, you need to verify the payroll service key number. You can also change the payroll service key if required.
- Click Next and clear the Open Payroll Setup checkbox. After that, you can tap Finish to download & install the latest payroll updates.
If, however, you still encounter QuickBooks error PS033, try using the following resolution.
2. Register & Update QB Desktop to Fix QuickBooks Error PS033
You might face different payroll update issues if you haven’t registered (or activated) QB Desktop on your system. Additionally, using an outdated QB can trigger payroll update errors. Once you register & update QB, you can easily eliminate these glitches. Here’s what you must do:
- First & foremost, you have to open the QB window and tap the F2 key on the keyboard.
- In the Product Information window, search for the Activated word beside the license number.
- If you find that QB is not activated, you should move to the Help tab.
- Click the Activate QuickBooks Desktop option and follow all the steps to register your software.
- At this point, you can update QuickBooks Desktop, and after that, you can install the latest payroll updates.
Do you still get the QuickBooks error PS033? If that’s the case, try installing Windows updates, as discussed below.
3. Install the Latest Windows Updates
Incompatibility between QB and Windows may cause errors like the QB application error code PS033. To resolve compatibility issues, you need to install Windows updates on your computer. Having an updated Windows operating system will also enable faster processing of QB Desktop.
If, however, you still get QuickBooks error PS033, consider running Quick Fix my Program as discussed below.
4. Operate the Quick Fix my Program Tool
Damage in the QB program setup can trigger errors when updating payroll, such as QuickBooks error PS038 and the error message PS033. You can easily repair the QB program by running the Quick Fix my Program tool. Here’s how to do so:
- First & foremost, you have to install QuickBooks Tool Hub on your computer.
- Open QB Tool Hub by double-clicking its icon, and after that, move to the QB Tool Hub window.
- At this point, jump to Program Problems and tap the Quick Fix my Program icon.
- Wait until the Quick Fix my Program utility runs on the system. After that, you can access QB Desktop and install the latest payroll service updates.
If you encounter a QuickBooks error PS033 even after using the Quick Fix my Program tool, try the following solution.
5. Stop Various Third-Party Apps Running in the Background
Different third-party apps running in the background on your computer can cause payroll update errors, such as the error code PS033 and QuickBooks error 12031. Third-party apps consume system resources, and as a result, QB Desktop cannot obtain the necessary files and services when updating payroll. You need to stop these apps from running on your system. Here’s what you can do:
- Firstly, you can press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open up the Task Manager window.
- Navigate to the Task Manager and choose the Processes menu.
- At this point, select various third-party apps that are currently running in the background.
- Click the End Task button to complete the process. After that, you can start installing payroll service updates.
Do you continue to face QuickBooks error PS033? If so, consider renaming the CPS folder as outlined below.
6. Rename the CPS Folder On Your Computer
The CPS folder contains important files related to your payroll setup. If this folder contains damaged files, you may not be able to install payroll updates due to various errors like QuickBooks error 12057 and the error code PS033. Renaming this folder will allow QB Desktop to recreate it. Here’s what you need to do:
- Firstly, close QB Desktop and navigate to the following location: C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks 20XX\Components\Payroll\CPS
- Locate the CPS folder and right-click it. After that, choose Rename and add a new word as per the following example: CPSOLDTECH
- Hit Enter and open QuickBooks Desktop. After that, start downloading payroll service updates.
If you are still facing QuickBooks error PS033, try using the following resolution.
7. Exclude QB Programs From Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall may incorrectly recognize certain QB programs as a security threat. Consequently, it can block their execution, eventually causing payroll update issues. You need to exempt QB programs from Windows Firewall to ensure that you can update payroll without coming across various problems.
If, however, you still run into QuickBooks error PS033, consider disabling the UAC facility as detailed below.
8. Deactivate the User Account Control (UAC) Feature
The UAC facility improves system security by reducing the exposure & attack area of the Windows operating system. Sometimes, however, it may hinder you from installing QB payroll updates. Once you disable UAC, you can easily fix this issue. Here’s how to do so:
- Tap Windows + R to open the Run window and type the Control Panel command.
- Click OK and move to User Accounts in the Control Panel.
- Choose User Accounts (Classic View), and you need to click Change User Account Control Settings.
- At this point, move the slider to Never Notify and click OK. After that, reopen your computer and install QB payroll updates.
If you still get QuickBooks error PS033, try revising your antivirus software settings as explained below.
9. Reorganize Your Antivirus App Settings
The antivirus software may suddenly block QB programs from running on your system if it perceives them as a security threat. As a result, you may fail to download payroll updates. The solution is to create exclusions for QB programs in the antivirus software. Once you do so, you can effortlessly acquire the latest payroll service updates.
Do you still get the QuickBooks error PS033? If so, consider repairing your system files as mentioned below.
10. Scan & Repair Your System Files
Damaged system files may cause internal issues when you run different programs, such as QuickBooks, on your computer. Consequently, you can suddenly encounter errors when installing payroll updates. The quickest way to repair your system files is to utilize the System File Checker utility. Once you repair your system files using this tool, you will easily obtain the latest QB payroll service updates.
If, however, you still run into QuickBooks error PS033, try using the following troubleshooting hack.
11. Utilize the QB Install Diagnostic Tool
An improper installation of QuickBooks on the computer can trigger problems when you start downloading payroll updates. Fortunately, Intuit has developed the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool, which you can use to resolve various installation faults. Once you fix installation problems using this utility, you will be able to easily obtain the latest payroll updates.
Do you continue to get QuickBooks error PS033? If so, try enabling the QuickBooks File Copy Service (FCS) as detailed below.
12. Enable QuickBooks FCS On Your System
The QuickBooks FCS (File Copy Service) helps run different company file operations. If QB FCS is deactivated, you may face severe challenges when updating payroll. The only way to fix this problem is to activate QB FCS on your computer. Here’s how you can do so:
- Firstly, you can press Windows + R to open the Run window and execute the COMPMGMT.MSC command.
- Navigate to the Services and Applications tab on the Computer Management window.
- Choose Services and double-click the Intuit QuickBooks FCS option.
- Select Manual as the Startup Type option and tap Apply.
- Click OK and save the revised settings.
Finally, you can effortlessly download and install the latest QB payroll service updates.
Winding Up
In this comprehensive guide, we have discussed various resolutions for QuickBooks error PS033. Hopefully, you can now seamlessly download & install the latest QB payroll updates. If, however, you still encounter difficult challenges or have a query, you can connect with a QB professional for real-time support.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may run into QuickBooks error PS033 due to various causes, such as outdated Windows, corrupted system files, and interference by security programs. Moreover, using an outdated QB application version can trigger this problem.
You can resolve QuickBooks error PS033 by using the following tactics:
a. Install the latest QB updates.
b. Scan & repair your system files.
c. Run the QB Install Diagnostic Tool.
d. Activate the QB Desktop File Copy Service.
e. Restrict third-party programs from running in the background.
f. Exempt QB programs from security apps.
Corruption in the company data can provoke payroll update issues such as QuickBooks error PS033. Therefore, repairing the company file using various tools like QuickBooks File Doctor will certainly resolve payroll update error codes.
