Skip to content

Updated Solutions to Fix QuickBooks Error 15270 [Payroll Update Error]

QuickBooks Error 15270

QuickBooks Payroll feature helps its users to create, edit and update the payroll for its employees effortlessly. However, sometimes, the users may face several errors while updating the payroll on their systems. One such error is QuickBooks Error 15270. You face this error when you try to update the payroll or sometimes even the application. The error also creates issues with your newly updated software or Windows, and you may end up losing your data. Thus, it needs to be addressed as early as possible. 

In this blog, we will guide you to identify the reasons that can cause you to face QuickBooks update error 15270. The blog will also help you with the troubleshooting steps.

An Overview and Error Message Of QuickBooks Error 15270

Error 15270 is an update error in QuickBooks that appears on the screen when you press the Download Latest Update button in the Get Payroll Updates window. The error message that gets displayed with the error code 15270 states, “Error 15270: The (payroll) update did not complete successfully. The update is missing a file.” The error message states that QuickBooks can not download the payroll update file that is required while updating the payroll in QuickBooks due to some glitches and faults.

Error Mesage for QuickBooks Error 15270

Reasons that Contribute To QuickBooks Payroll Update Error 15270

Several reasons that contribute to the occurrence of QuickBooks payroll update error 15270 include invalid EIN or wrong security key. The other reasons for error 15270 are as follows:

  • Interruption in the internet connectivity during the update process.
  • The updates that you are downloading or installing are not compatible with the Windows version you have.
  • If your system has been infected with a virus or infection, you may face the QuickBooks Error Code 15270.
  • If the update for the QuickBooks Desktop application is not completely installed on the system, then also error code 15270 may appear.
  • Having expired payroll subscriptions can also lead to QuickBooks update errors like 15270.
  • If you enter the wrong [EIN] Employer Identification Number or Service Key, then this error may get triggered.
  • You have set the incorrect automatic update configuration, that might be leading to this error.
  • UAC settings on the system might be interrupting the download process of the payroll update files.
  • Windows Firewall might be restricting the QB from completing the update process.
  • The files required to run the QuickBooks application might not be available or have been damaged or corrupted.
  • Sometimes, corrupted Windows programs can also lead to Error 15270 QuickBooks Update.
  • Having an Intuit product running during the Windows start-up process or at the time of installing the Windows OS can lead to error 15270.

Tips to Avoid the Error 15270 in QuickBooks

As you now know the reasons that instigate the error code 15270 in QuickBooks, you should also know the possible ways that can help you avoid such payroll update errors. Let’s check out some of the important pointers.

  • It should be noted that you can download the update files easily and then click the update complete after the update process ends.
  • You can start the QB application directly and then apply the required changes as needed.
  • To avoid any kind of error, make sure that you have an updated and genuine version of QB in your system.
  • You can reboot your system and revisit the update service window. Here, you can then click on the install later option to tackle the payroll-update error on a temporary basis.

Updated Solutions to Fix QuickBooks Error 15270

Since you face the payroll update error while you try to update the QB payroll automatically. To fix the issue, you may first switch to the manual method to update the QuickBooks Payroll. And then, if the error persists, you can opt for other methods that are given in the blog.

Method 1: Try to Update QuickBooks Payroll Manually and then Restart the System 

The first troubleshooting method to resolve the error code 15270 is to restart your system and then update the QuickBooks Payroll manually. Follow the given directions to complete this task:

  • You are first required to restart your system followed by Restarting the QuickBooks application.
  • Then in the QuickBooks Update Service window, hit on the Install Later button.

QuickBooks Update Service

  • Now, you have to head to the Help button and opt for the Update QuickBooks option.

Update QuickBooks

  • After that, in the Update QuickBooks tab, you have to hit on the Update Now option.
  • Then, you need to click OK to confirm the reset update.
  • Now, after the completion of the update, the Get Updates button will get activated.

Get QuickBooks Updates

  • Subsequently, a similar pop-up message window will appear saying Update Complete. You have to follow it up by Restarting QuickBooks.
  • Now, if the QuickBooks Update Service appears again, this time, choose the Install Now option.

Choose Install Now Option from QuickBooks Update Service

  • Now search and choose the Employees tab, followed by hitting on the Get Payroll Updates option.

Get Payroll Updates

  • Then, you have to Install Payroll updates again and choose the Download entire payroll update option.

Choose the Download Entire Payroll Update Option

  • At last, you have to choose the Update option.

If the above method is not able to resolve the QuickBooks Essentials Update Error 15270 for you, you can follow the next troubleshooting methods given below.

Read Also- Solve QuickBooks Maintenance Release Error 15215

Method 2: Run the Reboot.bat file

Run the Reboot.bat file

Running the reboot.bat files will re-register the QuickBooks related ‘.DLL‘ and ‘.OCX‘ files in Microsoft Windows. This may help you solve any error related to the corrupted files, so follow the steps below:

  • To start the process, you have to turn off QuickBooks Desktop.
  • Then, open the folder which has your Reboot.bat file.
  • After that, click right on the QuickBooks icon and choose its Properties option.
  • Next, you need to choose the Open File Location option.
  • Now, click right on the Reboot.bat file and then select the option to Run as administrator.
  • Now, a window will appear on the screen with the file names. This window will automatically close after the completion of the process.

Method 3: Turn off the UAC [User Account Control]

There is a slight difference in the steps to turn off the UAC in Windows 7, 8 OS, and Windows Vista. The steps are given below:

Turn off the UAC [User Account Control]

Steps for Windows 7,8 Operating System Users:

  • You have to first click on the Windows Start Menu button and choose the option for the Control Panel tab.
  • Now, click on the View tab from the drop-down arrow keys and choose its icon.
  • Next, click on the User Accounts option to proceed further.
  • Now, you have to click on the option to change the  User Account Settings in the given window.
  • After this, you have to move the slider to Never Notify such that it does not give any notification and then click on OK.

User Account Control Settings

Steps for Windows Vista Operating System Users:

  • You have first to give a single click on the Windows Start button and go to the Control Panel option.
  • If it fails to detect the click and does not select it, then click once on the classic view, which is located on the left side of the Windows screen.
  • Now, click twice on the Users Accounts option.
  • After that, click the user account control option and turn it ON or OFF.

Change User Account Control Option

  • Then, finally, clear the Use User Account Control option and click OK. This helps to protect your system as well as your software.
  • Lastly, restart your PC and your QuickBooks Software as well. After this, reopen your company file.

Method 4: Set the Internet Explorer Browser as your default web browser.

It is recommended to use Internet Explorer as a default browser to perform the online functions for QuickBooks. If it is not set as the default browser, then you may face several technical issues, including QuickBooks Essentials Error 15270. So, the steps to set IE as a default browser are as follows:

Steps for Windows 11, 10, and 8 Users:

  • In the search bar of Windows, search for App Defaults.
  • Find the Web Browser option and choose Internet Explorer as the Default app.

From Web Browser Option Choose Internet Explorer

Steps for Windows 7 Users:

Make Internet Explorer as the Default Browser

  • First, open the Internet Options menu on the system,
  • Then, go to the Programs tab.
  • Now, under the Default Web Browser option, click on the Make Internet Explorer as the Default Browser button.

Method 5: Check if your Payroll Subscription is Active or not

  • If you have Basic, Standard, or Enhanced Payroll, then go to the Employees tab and click on the My Payroll Service option. Now, you have to hit the Account/Billing Information or Account Info/Preferences option. Then, you can sign in to your Intuit Account using your login credentials and check if the subscription is active on the QuickBooks payroll account maintenance page.

Check if your Payroll Subscription is Active or not

  • If you have the Assisted Payroll, then go to the Employees tab and tap a hit on the My Payroll Service option. Then follow the process by clicking on the Account Billing Information or Account Info/Preferences option. After that, when the QuickBooks payroll account maintenance window opens, close it and check the update immediately. Also, reverify the payroll service.

Method 6: Use the Quick Fix My Program feature to fix the payroll update error 15270

For this, you need to do some simple steps to download the QB Tool Hub.

Steps to download QB Tool Hub

  • Start the process by downloading the QuickBooks Tool Hub application and then hit the Ctrl + J keys to head to the downloads option.
  • Then, click twice on the QuickBooksToolsHub.exe from the downloads.
  • After that, carry out the instructions given on the screen to install the application.
  • Once done with it, open the QuickBooks tools hub from the desktop.

Use the Quick fix my program feature to fix the payroll update error 15270

Steps to Use Quick Fix My Program from Tool Hub

  • Now, you have to move to the Programs Problems tab in the application and choose the option saying Quick Fix my Program.

QuickBooks Tool Hub

  • This process may take a few minutes to complete; wait till it concludes.
  • After the process, Restart your QuickBooks desktop software.
  • Now, also check if the QuickBooks update services message, then click on the Install Now button.

Method 7: Check the Payroll Service Key in QB to fix the Error 15270

  • For this method, open your QuickBooks application and go under the Employees tab. 
  • Here, you have to browse to the My Payroll Service option and hit the Manage Service Key button.

Check the Payroll Service Key in QB to fix the QuickBooks Error 15270

  • Next, under the Service Key window, click on the Edit button to see your payroll service list. If no payroll service is listed there, then click Add.

From Service Key window Click on the Edit button

Click on the Edit button

  • Now, click Edit, note down your Service Key, and then click the Remove button.

note down your Service Key

  • Next, on the confirmation window, hit Yes.
  • Then, remove the Service key and hit Add again.

Remove the Service key and hit Add

  • Now, you have to enter your Service Key followed by Employer Identification Number and hit Next and Finish, respectively.
  • Lastly, click OK on the Payroll Update window and check if your payroll subscription shows an Active Status.

Enter your Service Key followed by Employer Identification Number

Method 8: Install QuickBooks Desktop in Selective Startup and fix the error code 15270

You can first opt for the Repair QuickBooks Desktop option. Then, move ahead with the Selective Startup mode to proceed with the clean installation process.

Install QuickBooks Desktop in Selective Startup and fix the quickbooks error code 15270

  • For this, open the Run window from the Start menu or by pressing the Windows
    + R keys simultaneously.
  • Now, type the word msconfig in the Run box.
  • Next, when the System Configuration window displayed on the screen, opt for the Selective Startup button and hit Apply.

System Configuration Utility

  • Then, restart the system and access the Advanced Boot Options.
  • Additionally, you can also restart your system and keep pressing the F8 key continuously to do the same process. This will also take you to the Boot options directly.
  • Now, within the Boot screen, opt for the Safe mode with the Networking option.
  • Here, when the desktop screen gets up, Restart your QuickBooks.
  • Now, in the QuickBooks Update Service, tap a hit on the Install Later option.
  • Then, in the Help menu, proceed ahead to the Update QuickBooks Desktop.

Method 9: Configure Firewall in QuickBooks Desktop

To fix the QuickBooks File Doctor Error 15270, you can also configure the firewall settings by adding the Firewall port exceptions for QB. You can also follow the given steps if you have multiple versions of QuickBooks on the same desktop, you just need to perform the steps for all the versions:

  • Open the Start Menu of Windows.
  • Then, enter the word Windows Firewall in the search bar and then open the Windows Firewall.
  • After that, choose the Advanced Settings option.
  • Then, you need to right-click on Inbound Rules and choose New Rule. After that, you need to do the same steps for the Outbound Rules also.
  • After that, you need to select the Port and hit Next.
  • Here, make sure to select the TCP.
  • Now, in the Specific local ports field, you need to enter the specific ports that you need for your QuickBooks year version. The list for different versions is given below:

    • QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later: 8019, XXXXX.
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377

Important Note: Remember that the 2019, 2020, and future versions of QuickBooks Desktop use dynamic ports. These are the specific firewall ports (and not a range) that are assigned during installation. This makes sure that the QuickBooks Desktop gets an exclusive use of a given port. You can use the QuickBooks Database Server Manager to get the port numbers for your version of QB.

  • Now, once you enter the port number, hit Next.
  • After that, click on Allow the Connection button and hit Next.
  • Now, if it prompts you, check that all the profiles are marked and then hit Next.
  • Then, click on the Create a rule option and give it a name as QBPorts(year).
  • When you are done doing all these steps, hit the Finish button.

Conclusive Words!!

This brings us to the conclusive part of this article about QuickBooks Error 15270. We hope that the solutions mentioned above have helped you in fixing the error 15270 QuickBooks easily. Also, remember, whenever you try a solution, make sure that you access the QuickBooks company file after it. This will help you to identify the real reason behind the issue. However, if you still get stuck over error 15270 or any other errors in QuickBooks, you can connect with Data Service Solutions for help. Call our QB Support Experts at our Toll-free number +1-(855)-955-1942.

Question 1: Why does QuickBooks Error 15270 occur in my system?

Ans: QuickBooks Error 15270 is a payroll update error that occurs when a user tries to update QB payroll services. This payroll update error generally occurs due to some conflict between QB and the system’s antivirus or firewall software. It can also occur because of the incomplete or corrupted installation of QuickBooks files.

Question 2: How to fix QuickBooks Error 15270?

Ans: You can fix the error code 15270 in QuickBooks by regularly updating the QB application and keeping the status of the QB Payroll Services active. Running the QuickBooks application as admin also resolves the issue. For detailed troubleshooting of error 15270, check the blog above.

Question 3: Can I configure Windows Firewall using QuickBooks File Doctor?

Ans: Yes, the Windows firewall blocks internet access for specific QuickBooks files, so you can run the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool. It will help you to automatically open the firewall ports and configure Windows Firewall settings.

Question 4: How can I get the dynamic port numbers for QuickBooks Desktop?

Ans: To get the port number for your QB Desktop version, do the following:
1. Open the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on the system.
2. Then, on the Port Monitor section, find your QB Desktop version.
3. And take a note of Port Number mentioned there.

Oscar Joe Editor
Oscar Joe is a Certified Accountant with Expertise in QuickBooks, Sage and Quicken Accounting Software. Joe has been working with Data Service Solutions for the last 3 years as a QuickBooks Expert and is Helping Accounting software users with their day to day accounting tasks and issues.
follow me

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

© Dataservicesolutions - All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer

"Data Service Solutions" is a Accounting and Bookkeeping service provider. We are distinguished by the virtue of our expertise in various products developed by a wide range of third-party companies. Read More

Connect With Our Experts & Get Your QuickBooks Queries Resolved Right Away! Dial +1-(855)-955-1942