Resolve QuickBooks Error PS038: Can’t Send Paychecks

Various issues can occasionally arise when you attempt to download QuickBooks payroll updates. One such problem that you might run into is QuickBooks error PS038, which can also manifest when you send paychecks online. Here’s the message that you are likely to observe on the screen:

Here are the points that explain some of the common effects that you can see on your computer due to this error code:

• The Windows performance will substantially decline. Moreover, you might witness the freezing of the Windows operating system.
• You might face difficulties when running various payroll operations.
• The system might work slowly, and it can abruptly shut down.

Fortunately, there are various methods to troubleshoot this problem effectively & reliably. Alright, then, let’s navigate through the article to find out the causes of this issue and discover detailed resolutions.

If you want instant help to fix QuickBooks error PS038, dial +1-(855)-955-1942 to contact a QB professional.

Why Do You Face QuickBooks Payroll Error Code PS038?

As the error message clearly denotes, the most apparent reason for the occurrence of QuickBooks error ps038 is an inactive payroll subscription.

The other reasons for the error ps038 in QuickBooks desktop include:

• Outdated QB application can lead. 
• Using an old approach to download the QuickBooks Payroll can trigger this error.
• The error pops up when the paychecks get stuck as Online to Send while the user tries to send it via online mode.
• The damaged company files are also an apparent reason for Error Code ps038.
• An inactive payroll subscription is also an error message ps038.
• An inactive bank account can also lead to this error ps038 in QuickBooks.
• When you have not installed payroll updates, then also this error code can appear.

5 Expert-Recommended Ways to Fix QuickBooks Error PS038

QuickBooks payroll update error ps038 can be rectified by sending the payroll data properly. This way, any stuck data like paychecks or something would not affect your accounting experience in the software. Thus, follow the given solutions to fix the error ps038 in QuickBooks desktop:

Note: You may also get the other P-series errors in QuickBooks, like

• QuickBooks Error Code PS036, which appears while updating your payroll tax tables,
• Error code PS032 appears when QuickBooks can not read your payroll setup files and
• Error Code PS077 comes when downloading payroll updates if the user has not registered QuickBooks software.

All these errors are related to the payroll function of QuickBooks and can mostly be rectified using similar troubleshooting methods.

1. Update QuickBooks Application

You need to make sure that your QuickBooks version is the latest and then up-to-date. The steps to update include

1. First, start by launching the QuickBooks application and navigating to the Help menu.
2. Then choose the Update QuickBooks Desktop button and then hit the Update Now button at the top-right corner.
3. Next, select the Get Updates option and after the download is finished, close and reopen your application and verify the QuickBooks payroll update error ps038.

2. Send Your QB Payroll Data

1. First, launch the QB Payroll application.
2. And then click on the Employees tab and then choose the My Payroll Service option.

3. Then, in the My Payroll Service tab, select the Send payroll usage data option.

Note: In some QuickBooks Desktop versions, you may find the send payroll Data option under the Employees option.

4. Later, you need to try to send the payroll data. If the data is sent successfully, go back to update QB Payroll.
5. In case you still face the QuickBooks error code ps038, you may reach out to our experts at our Toll-free number+1-(855)-955-1942.

3. Discover the Paychecks Stuck as “Online to Send”

In this step, you will identify if any of the paychecks are stuck on the QB online mode as “Online to Send.” If yes, then you do not need to delete or edit those stuck paychecks; you just need to make a note of the total number of matches with the help of the Find window at the bottom right corner. Also, make sure to take notes of both the newest and oldest stuck checks for further reference.

Follow the given step-by-step procedures to identify the stuck paychecks and resolve QuickBooks payroll error PS038.

1. First, under the Edit tab, go to the Find option and choose the Advanced button.

2. Then, under the Choose Filter tab, you have to look for the Filter list and then select the Detail Level option.
3. After that, you have to choose the option saying Summary Only.
4. Next, from the Choose Filter tab, this time you have to look for the Filter list and select Online Status.
5. Also, from the drop-down menu on the right-hand side of the screen, select the Online to send option.
6. Then lastly, click on the Find button and check all the unsent paychecks causing the ps038 payroll error.

4. Run the Verify and Rebuild Data Tool

Before you move on with this step to fix the Unable To Update Payroll Error PS038, make sure to get the backup of your QB files. Also, first, run the verify data tool, and if it shows stuck paychecks, then you need to run the rebuild data check.

Steps to Use the Verify Data Tool:

1. Launch the QB application and move to the File menu, followed by the Utilities tab.
2. There, you need to opt for the Verify Data option.

3. Then, close all the open windows by hitting OK.
4. Lastly, if the QB did not detect any issue with your data, you need to tap on OK.

Steps to Use the Rebuild Data Tool:

1. Go to the File menu then to the Utilities tab.
2. After that, hit on the Rebuild Data option.

3. Next, hit the OK button to allow it to create a backup, followed by the Save button.
4. Then, once the rebuild tool finishes the scan, go for the View Results option.

If the rebuild data tool shows that it has fixed the issues in paychecks. But, if the rebuild data cannot eliminate all the stuck payrolls and you still face the QuickBooks ps038 error while downloading the payroll updates, then there can be these causes for the glitch.

• Your paychecks may have crossed the oldest billing dates. However, in this case, most of the time, you won’t receive the ps038 error notification.
• You might have utilized the condensed data tool earlier in the QB desktop file for some particular dates that consist of stuck paychecks.
• Maybe your accountant’s copy is pending.

In such cases, you need to follow one more step which is given below:

5. Verify the Information On Stuck Paychecks

1. Follow the steps mentioned in the Check and Find Paycheck Stuck as Online to Send section and get the list of all the paychecks that are still stuck in the application.
2. Then, you need to open the first paycheck from the list and click on the Paycheck Details option.
3. Once you get the Review Paycheck window, you need to go to the Earnings tab.
4. Then, go for the last item in the list and again add it as a new item.
5. This action will prompt QB desktop to display a Net Pay Locked window. Here, you need to click No and close it.
6. After that, you have to choose the Rate Field option for the item you had just added as new in the fourth step.
7. Now, make sure that there are no changes made in the Net Pay and taxes fields, and then click OK.
8. Then, click Yes if any pop with the Past Transactions message comes up on the screen.
9. Next, you need to hit the Save & Close buttons, followed by the Yes button when the Recording Transactions message appears on the screen.
10. Then, re-open the paycheck and click on the Paycheck Details button.
11. Moving forward, delete the item that you added in the fourth step.
12. Now, once again, make sure that no changes are made in the taxes and Net Pay fields and click OK.
13. Finally, hit the Save & Close buttons to save the changes.
14. Lastly, follow the same instructions for each stuck paycheck and check if the error is now resolved.

Essential Tips to Prevent QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038

Here are various measures that you can implement to prevent QuickBooks error PS038:

• Repair QuickBooks Data: Run the QuickBooks Verify and Rebuild Data tool to fix corrupted data files.
• Disable Antivirus/Firewall Temporarily: Sometimes, security software blocks updates; disable it temporarily while updating.
• Check User Permissions: Ensure users have the necessary permissions to process payroll updates.
• Update QuickBooks: Regularly update QuickBooks to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.
• Verify Payroll Subscription: Ensure that your payroll subscription is active and properly verified.
• Run QuickBooks as Administrator: Open QuickBooks with administrative privileges to prevent permission-related errors.
• Check Internet Connection: Maintain a stable and strong internet connection for smooth payroll updates.

Wrapping Up

In this extensive guide, we showed you how you can effortlessly eliminate QuickBooks error PS038 using various tactics. Hopefully, you can now seamlessly download payroll tax table updates and send paychecks online. If, however, you still face difficulties or have a query, you can contact a QB professional for real-time guidance.

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Tony Wilson, and I work at Data Service Solutions as a QuickBooks certified professional. If you are facing any errors or issues with QuickBooks, you can ask any queries about it.

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