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QuickBooks Update Stuck? Here’s How You Can Resolve It

QuickBooks updates always bring fresh features, tools, bug fixes, and a lot of crucial software improvements. At times, however, you might discover that the QuickBooks update stuck at a specific percentage. Here’s what you might see on your system’s screen:

quickbooks update stuck

Generally, this problem arises when QB Desktop fails to write to the system registry. This can happen if the system registry is corrupted or is not configured properly. Other common reasons behind this issue are interference by security software & incorrect system date and time settings.

Fortunately, there are multiple methods that you can use to overcome this challenge. Alright, then, let’s dive into the guide to find out the main reasons behind this difficulty & explore various ways we can utilize to resolve it.

If you find the QB Desktop update process stuck on your computer, you can obtain real-time guidance to fix it by dialing +1-(855)-955-1942. An experienced QB professional shall assist you immediately!

Why Do You Find QuickBooks Update Stuck in the Reboot Loop?

Here are the points that explain why you might find QuickBooks update stuck on your system:

  • Windows Firewall may be blocking QuickBooks.
  • Multiple instances of the same QuickBooks Desktop version (like QuickBooks Desktop 2024) might be installed on your computer.
  • A poor internet connection could be causing the update error.
  • Incorrect or incompatible internet and security settings might affect QuickBooks.
  • Antivirus or security software interference could lead to QuickBooks getting stuck while writing system registry values.
  • The date & time settings on your computer might be invalid or set to an incorrect time zone.
  • The QuickBooks Desktop component folder might be damaged or corrupted, causing update issues.
  • .DLL and .OCX files may be experiencing issues or are not properly registered during the update process.
  • The QuickBooks Desktop program may be improperly installed, damaged, or corrupted.

Now that you understand the primary causes of this issue, let’s move on to the next section to explore various solutions.

9 Things to Do When You Find QuickBooks Update Stuck

Here are the methods that you can seamlessly implement whenever you find a QuickBooks update stuck on your system. Ensure that you use these fixes in the exact order as detailed below.

1. Install Windows Updates

Windows updates offer significant improvements such as bug fixes, new features, & fresh tools. Once you install Windows updates, you will be able to ensure full compatibility with QB Desktop. This will enable you to successfully download & install QB updates.

install windows updates

If, however, you still notice the QuickBooks update stuck, try using the following solution.

2. Create Exclusions For QB Files in Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender might regard specific QB files as a potential security risk, thereby ensuring that the QB update process doesn’t proceed smoothly. Once you exclude QB files from scanning by Microsoft Defender, the update process will go on seamlessly. Here’s what you need to do:

Note: To add exclusions, you must be signed into Windows with administrator privileges. If you’re not the PC’s administrator, the Add Defender Exclusion option will appear grayed out, and you’ll need to ask your admin to add the exclusion for you.

  • Download & install the QuickBooks Tool Hub application. After that, double-click its icon on Windows Desktop.
  • Move to the QuickBooks Tool Hub window displayed on the screen.

Download & install the QuickBooks Tool Hub

  • Go to Installation Issues & choose Add Defender Exclusion.
  • Restart your computer & reopen QuickBooks, and start the update process again.

Do you still find the QuickBooks update stuck on the screen? If that’s the case, consider disabling Microsoft Defender as detailed below.

3. Switch Off Microsoft Defender on Your Computer

When you turn off Microsoft Defender on the system, it is no longer able to scan QB files. Consequently, the QB update process will proceed smoothly on your computer. It is recommended that you activate Microsoft Defender once you have successfully updated QuickBooks.

If you continue to find the QuickBooks update stuck on the system, try running QB with admin rights, as explained below. 

4. Operate QuickBooks in Admin Mode

One of the prominent factors behind the stuck QB update process is that you might be running the software without admin rights. Furthermore, using QB without admin privileges might provoke payroll update issues like the error code 15101. Here are the points that detail how to use QB in admin mode:

  • Sign in to Windows using an administrator profile. Next, locate the QuickBooks Desktop icon on your Desktop or in the Start menu, then right-click on it.

run as administrator

  • Choose the Run as Administrator option displayed on the screen.
  • When prompted, type in the admin password and choose Next or OK. Once QuickBooks opens, launch the update process again.

Do you still find the QuickBooks update stuck on the computer? If so, try checking the system date & time settings as elaborated below.

5. Review the System Date & Time Settings

An imprecise date & time settings on the computer might disrupt the QB update process. Therefore, you should check the system date & time settings and make appropriate corrections. Here’s what you can do:

  • Close QuickBooks & right-click the digital clock in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar.
  • Select Adjust Date/Time and click Change Date and Time.

Change Date and Time.

  • Enter the correct date and time, then click OK.
  • Reopen QuickBooks and try downloading the updates again.

Do you continue to notice the QuickBooks update stuck on your system? If so, consider implementing the following resolution.

6. Check the Internet Connection Settings in QuickBooks

The internet connection could be the reason the QuickBooks update is stuck in a reboot loop or at a certain percentage. So, it’s important to check your internet connection first. Open any website in your browser and see if it loads properly. If the website doesn’t open, you’ll need to contact an IT professional to resolve your internet issues.

However, if the website loads without problems, go ahead and launch QuickBooks Desktop and follow the steps below.

  • Open QuickBooks and go to the Help menu.
  • Select Internet Connection Setup.
  • Click Use my computer’s Internet connection settings to establish a connection when this application accesses the Internet. After that, click Next, then go to Advanced Connection Settings.
  • Navigate to the Advanced tab and choose Restore Advanced Settings.
  • Click OK, then Done. After that, try updating QuickBooks again.

If you still find the QuickBooks update stuck on the computer, try installing a new QB digital signature certificate, as mentioned below.

7. Install a Fresh QB Digital Signature Certificate

Sometimes, a missing or unverified digital signature can prevent users from accessing new QuickBooks updates. Moreover, a faulty signature certificate can cause errors like QuickBooks error 1334. You can set up a new digital signature in QuickBooks by following the steps below:

  • Press Windows + E to open File Explorer and go to the This Computer tab.
  • Navigate to the C: Drive, then go to the Program Files folder and open the Intuit folder.
  • Open the QuickBooks folder, right-click the .EXE file, and select Properties.
  • Go to the Digital Signatures tab, ensure Intuit is selected in the signature list, and click Details.

Digital Signature Certificate

  • Click View Certificate, then in the Certificate window, select Install Certificate.
  • Click Next, then Finish.
  • Reboot your PC, then try updating QuickBooks again.

Do you still notice the QuickBooks update stuck on your system? If so, try using the following solution.

8. Run the QB Install Diagnostic Tool

You are likely to find QB updates getting stuck if you haven’t installed the software properly. To fix installation problems, you can easily run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. This utility will help you remove various issues, thereby ensuring that you can update QB smoothly.

quickbooks install diagnostic tool

If, however, you find the QuickBooks update stuck even after repairing the software, consider reinstalling QB, as mentioned below.

9. Reinstall the QB Desktop Application

Reinstalling QB will allow you to ensure a completely refreshed setup of different files & folders. Here’s how to do so:

Step I: Uninstall QuickBooks Desktop

You should remove QB Desktop from your system using the following points:

  • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.

select-programs-and-features

  • Find QuickBooks Desktop in the list of installed programs.
  • Right-click on QuickBooks Desktop and select Uninstall/Change.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

Now, you should download the QB Desktop version on the computer as described below.

Step II: Download QuickBooks Desktop Version

Here’s how to download QB Desktop on your computer:

  • Go to the QuickBooks Download page on the Intuit website.
  • Select your QuickBooks Desktop version, year, and edition.
  • Click Download and save the installation file to your computer.

Let’s install QB Desktop by following the procedure discussed below.

Step III: Install QuickBooks Desktop

You can seamlessly install QB Desktop by doing the following:

  • Locate the downloaded QuickBooks installation file (.exe) and double-click to run it.
  • If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.
  • Click Next in the QuickBooks Installation window.
  • Accept the License Agreement and click Next.
  • Enter your Product and License Numbers (you’ll find them in your purchase confirmation email or in the product box).

Choose-your-QuickBooks-Installation-Type

  • Choose the Installation Type:

    • Express Install (recommended for most users).
    • Custom and Network Install (for advanced users and multi-user setups).

intuit quickbooks installer

  • Follow the on-screen instructions and click Install.

You need to activate QB Desktop by implementing the process detailed below.

Step IV: Activate QuickBooks Desktop

Here’s the process that you can follow to activate QB Desktop on your computer:

  • Once the installation is complete, open QuickBooks Desktop.

Activate QuickBooks Desktop

  • Go to the Help menu and select Activate QuickBooks Desktop.
  • Follow the prompts to verify your information and complete the activation.

Finally, you can successfully start using QB Desktop for different projects.

Tips to Prevent QuickBooks Desktop Updates from Getting Stuck

Here are some quick tips to prevent QuickBooks Desktop updates from getting stuck:

  • Ensure a Stable Internet Connection: A slow or unstable internet connection can disrupt updates, so always use a reliable network.
  • Run QuickBooks as an Administrator: Launching QuickBooks with admin rights helps avoid permission-related update issues.
  • Verify Date and Time Settings: Incorrect system date and time can interfere with server communication during updates.
  • Check Windows Firewall and Security Settings: Make sure QuickBooks has the necessary permissions and isn’t being blocked by security software.
  • Avoid Multiple Versions of QuickBooks: Having more than one instance of the same QuickBooks version can create conflicts during updates.
  • Keep QuickBooks Updated Regularly: Installing updates as they become available helps prevent compatibility and performance issues.
  • Repair QuickBooks Installation: If updates frequently get stuck, running a QuickBooks repair can resolve file corruption problems.

Conclusion

In this extensive article, we walked you through different fixes that you can implement each time you find the QuickBooks update stuck on your computer. Hopefully, you can now install QB updates effortlessly. If, however, you continue to face difficulties or have a query, you can contact a QB expert for real-time assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my QuickBooks update stuck at a certain percentage?

You might find QuickBooks update stuck at a certain percentage due to the following causes:
1. Poor Internet Connection: A slow or unstable connection can interrupt the update process.
2. Firewall or Security Software Blocking: Antivirus or firewall settings may prevent QuickBooks from accessing update servers.
3. Corrupted QuickBooks Installation: Damaged or incomplete installation files can cause update failures.
4. Incorrect System Date and Time: Mismatched date and time settings can block server communication.
5. Insufficient Disk Space: Lack of free space on your system can prevent update files from downloading.
6. Multiple QuickBooks Instances: Having multiple versions of QuickBooks installed can create confusion and conflicts.

How can I fix QuickBooks being stuck in a reboot loop during an update?

Here’s a list of solutions for the QuickBooks Update Stuck issue:
1. Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable and high-speed internet connection.
2. Run QuickBooks as Administrator: Right-click the QuickBooks icon and select ‘Run as Administrator’ for proper permissions.
3. Disable Antivirus/Firewall Temporarily: Security software may block updates, so try disabling them temporarily.
4. Check Date and Time Settings: Incorrect date and time on your computer can interfere with QuickBooks updates.
5. Check Disk Space: Ensure your system has enough free space for the QB update files.
6. Reinstall QuickBooks: Uninstall and reinstall QuickBooks on your computer to ensure a refreshed setup of various files & folders.

Can security software on the system cause the QB update process to get stuck?

Yes, security apps, such as Microsoft Defender, can hinder the QB update process. This is because these apps improperly identify QB updates as a security risk. To fix this issue, you can temporarily deactivate these apps.

Robert Downe SEO Editor
Robert is an accounting professional, well versed in many accounting software. He has established himself as a QuickBooks expert over the past ten years. Robert finds great joy in assisting businesses and accountants all over the country so that they can manage their finances seamlessly. He does so individually and through his blogs.

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