Resolve QuickBooks Error PS038 | Can’t Update QB Payroll

QuickBooks, the most in-demand software among users, is highly valued for its comprehensive features, with payroll service being the most crucial. This service performs many functions, including time tracking, recording employee payments, tax management, and form filling. Its regular update is vital for continuous payroll processing.

However, it’s not uncommon to encounter a hurdle during this update process in the form of QuickBooks error ps038, a frequently occurring issue that hinders the update of tax-taxable running payroll services. 

Thus, fixing this error is essential to ensure smooth payroll processing. This article has helped us identify the possible reasons behind this error’s occurrence and the most comprehensive solutions related to it. So, let’s dive into this article and learn the fundamentals of removing this error from scratch.

What is QuickBooks Error PS038?

The Ps038 error in QuickBooks is among the most common mistakes in the PSXXX series. It occurs because you might run the payroll while installing the latest updated tax tables. 

Another reason is that users get stuck when they try to share paychecks online, and they cannot process them further on the computer. Thus, it becomes crucial to fix QuickBooks error ps038. 

Resolving this error requires a clear understanding of its causes and the common issues that lead to it. Let’s delve into this blog to learn about QuickBooks error ps038.

Reasons that the users get QuickBooks error PS038

To detect the QuickBooks error ps038, the following possible reasons can be observed such as given as follows-

• Specific system damage, including QuickBooks error ps038, can be brought up due to viruses or malware affecting your system.
• Also, when an outdated or old version of the QuickBooks app is installed in your system, an error is a possibility.
• The standard error is when your company file is corrupted or damaged, then the QuickBooks error PS038.
• While your system was running, the network connectivity was unstable, with some poor connections. At that time, QuickBooks error ps038 occurred.
• As we all know that Windows firewall protects our computer from QB, but when installed in our system, it also imposes certain restrictions on the application, which can hinder its work.
• In your system, if the most recent version of tax tables is not downloaded and the QuickBooks payroll needs to be updated, QuickBooks error ps038 is expected to occur. 
• When antivirus or third-party applications are installed on your system, they restrict your system’s standard functioning errors.
• Another reason might be that you are entering some wrong credit card details or typing the wrong credentials for billing, and then an error occurs.
• Sometimes, the installation of QB or its update is also corrupted or damaged.
• The QB payroll update is already installed on your system, but you are trying to install or download it again, which causes QuickBooks error ps038 to appear.
• Sometimes, you might face this QuickBooks update error when one payroll data is corrupted.
• Many times, QuickBooks are denied proper functioning because of the occurrence of Windows registry problems.
• As we know, stuck paychecks are one of the reasons, but one of the reasons behind it getting stuck is when your system’s date/time settings are incorrect.
• You might have issues getting updates because your system closed suddenly because of a power failure, leading to QuickBooks error PS038.
• The other scenario in which you will face QuickBooks error ps038 is that your system hard drive has insufficient space or might have been damaged or corrupted, so you must face this error.
• When transaction log and network data files get corrupted, the QuickBooks error ps038 is also common.

How do I Resolve QuickBooks Error PS038?

Once you understand the possible reasons for this error code’s eruption into your system, you must move ahead with the most comprehensive and productive solutions. This will make rectifying this error from the desktop easier and quicker. 

To do this, the below-given steps need to be followed:

1. Before fixing the error ps038 in QuickBooks desktop, you must have a backup of your payroll and company files to avoid discrepancies.
2. The most recent payroll tax-table update version on your desktop must be installed within the QB desktop application.
3. A rebuild tool has to be used at most twice.
4. Furthermore, consulting some technical professionals can be a convenient option for resolving this error because it might be challenging if you need more technical knowledge. 

Now, just dive deep into the comprehensive set of solutions for fixing the QuickBooks ps038 error-

Here are the solutions to resolve the ps038 error in QB desktop. We will start by updating your QuickBooks application, then send payroll after the update, and finally, check for stuck paychecks like ‘online to send. ‘

Let’s take steps to rectify the error and find a solution quickly.

Read More: How to Erase QuickBooks Update Error 15271

Solution 1- QuickBooks Application Updation

If you want to get the root cause behind this error, then there must be the installation of the most recent or latest version of QuickBooks payroll update. To do this-

• Click on the QuickBooks app and hit the help icon from there.
• From the help option, you will find the update QB desktop option. From there, choose the update now icon and hit it.
• Choose to get updates from there, and then, when the installation is complete again, try to open QB to detect whether the QuickBooks error ps038 has been resolved. 

Solution 2- After Updating QuickBooks, Try Sending Payroll

• The employee tab will contain an option for my payroll services. Click on it and then click the send usage data option.
• Next, you can update the payroll once again if your data is transferred successfully.
• Finally, try to open the QB app again and check for the error.

Solution 3- Verify the Stuck Paycheck like “Online to Send”

• Click on the find icon from the edit option, then select the advanced option.
• Next, find the filter list from the choose filter option and click on the detail level tab.
• Then, you will find the option summary only; click on it.
• Through the icon from which we can choose the filter, click on the filter list option, and then choose the online status as the following icon.
• The complete list is on the right. From there, click on the option- online to send.
• Finally, you can verify the ps038 error code and also find the paychecks that were not sent by clicking on the find option.

Read More: Methods to Fix QuickBooks Error H202

Solution 4- Run the QuickBooks Rebuild Data Utility

If you use these built-in tools by selecting them from the file menu, then the QuickBooks error ps038 could be resolved quickly by the system. To do this,

• Once you use the tool rebuild data utility, you must verify that you have done a backup of your system.
• Next, hit rebuild now option.
• Once the rebuilding process ends, one can see the stuck paycheck status on your screen.
• If the rebuild won’t be able to fix stuck paychecks & payroll is also not being updated, then resolving the QuickBooks error ps038 will be impossible.

Solution 5- QuickBooks Verification on Stuck Paychecks

• As there is a complete list of all the paychecks that cannot be sent and are stuck in QuickBooks, you must follow all the steps mentioned in “check & find stuck paycheck like online to send.”
• Before clicking on the payroll detail icon, open the given list & click on the first paycheck.
• You will be directed to a window titled “Review paycheck.” From there, click on the earnings option.
• Next, scroll down the list and locate the last item. After this, add and include it as the new item.
• A net pay locked screen will be displayed on the desktop. You must select the no option and let it close.
• You must select a rate field you have added as a new item for the given item.
• Further, verify that taxes & net pay do not have any specific changes, and once this verification is done, click on the OK tab.
• Then, you can see the message on past transactions that might be displayed on your screen; if it does, click the yes option.
• After the above step, click on the save and close icon. The moment the recorded transaction msg flashes on your desktop hits the yes button.
• Next, you must verify the paycheck details option after reopening the paycheck.
• Now, for that item that you added at last, select to delete it.
• At the next step, you must verify that there have been no further net pay & tax changes and then hit the OK option.
• At last, you have to save all the changes made, for which you hit the save and close option.
• Now, implement the same steps for every paycheck and verify whether the error has been fixed.  

Solution 6- Use Company File Backup and Payroll Data

When error code ps038 erupts, using the company files & payroll data becomes tricky. If you choose backup, then the system’s functioning becomes smooth.

• From the QuickBooks menu, click on the file menu.
• Therein, you can locate the backup company option and click on it.
• Further, while moving ahead, you will find the option to create a local backup. Select it, and then Create Backup Page will appear.
• Next to your screen, click on the backup icon window through the options icon.
• Next, you have to get this file saved by clicking on the browse icon.
• Select OK to save your file at the location you have chosen.
• Then, if you want to save backup, click on the local drive.
• Finally, verify whether QuickBooks error ps038 has been fixed.

Read More: Fix QuickBooks Error 1321

Solution 7- Process QuickBooks as an Administrator

• Right on your program or desktop, find out the QB option.
• Press shift + F10 and click to select the option to run as an administrator.
• Lastly, use QuickBooks without the eruption of any error and operate payroll.

Solution 8- Repair the QuickBooks Desktop Program

To eradicate this error from your system, you need to use the QuickBooks tool hub, which will help your QuickBooks app function smoothly. Then follow the steps given as follows-

Step 1- Download/Install the QuickBooks Tool Hub

• Close QB, download the QuickBooks tool hub program into your system, and press Ctrl + S at the desired location to save a new or more recent version.

Note- if there is an already installed version of this tool, just check out the version by clicking at last, that is, at home tab.

• Next, open the downloaded file, which must have the .exe extension. The instructions will then be displayed on the desktop. Just abide by them and confirm the given terms & conditions for further installation.
• When you complete the installation, click the QuickBooks tool hub option twice to run the utility.

Once you get this program installed in your system, then move ahead with the below given step-

Step 2- Process the tool Quick fix my program

If this tool is installed in your system, then you will not face issues like the rise of errors. This tool helps the application function smoothly. Even if any processes open in the background, they close them all. It is also well known for executing quick repairs, which helps remove errors from the system. 

So, let’s use this tool to rectify the QuickBooks error ps038.

• Click on the QB fix my program option from the Program Problems option in the QuickBooks tool. If the running tool stops, try opening QuickBooks once again and then opening the file to verify whether the issue is resolved.

Step 3- Execute the QuickBooks diagnostic tool

With the help of this tool, one can very efficiently execute the installation processes. To do this-

• Open the QuickBooks tool hub and click on installation issues option. Then, you can download the QuickBooks install diagnostic tool.
• Next, allowing the tool to fix the issues during installation would take a few minutes.
• Once this is done, restart your system and click on the QB desktop to access the file. 

Solution 9- Configure Antivirus and Firewall Settings

To set the antivirus and firewall settings in your system, follow the following steps-

Step 1- Use the QuickBooks doctor utility

This tool is very beneficial if issues arise with your company files or network issues with QB. If you want to learn how it could be run, then just follow the below-given steps-

• Move towards the menu displaying issues in the company file from the QuickBooks tool hub. There, you can find the QB file doctor tool. Click on it and hold until the tool opens.

Note- After the first step, this tool may take some time to open, but you can open it manually as well. You can search for this tool and execute it from the  Windows search panel.

• From the drop-down menu, select that particular company file that needs repair.
• Next, click on check file & network icon and press the Continue tab. Once done, type all the QB admin’s correct credentials to log in.
• Click on the next tab to initiate the process further. When the scanning process is completed, rerun the QB. Next, click and run the company file.

After completing this process, rerun your QB app and examine the error code. 

Step 2- Set the firewall settings in order to create QuickBooks exceptions

Manually also, there is a possibility for configuration of firewall settings into your system, for which you must read all the below-given steps, such as

A firewall port exception created for QB.

When you update the payroll in your system, there is a high chance that some blockages might be configured manually. For which you must create exceptions in the firewall, such as

• In the Windows option, click on the search box, enter “Windows firewall,”  and click “yes” to start the program.
• Click on the advanced settings option, hit icon inbound rules, and select the new rule command.
• After selecting the port, click on the following option to verify that the given TCP icon is marked correctly.
• Locate the particular ports based on your QuickBooks desktop version, as it could be from QB 2017- QB 2020, and then enter the port no. in the particular local port area. 

Then, to access dynamic port no, which should be based on your QuickBooks desktop version, follow the below-given steps such as follows-

• Type QBDBSM using the Windows option and open the QuickBooks Database server manager tool.
• Locate your QB desktop version by clicking on the port monitor option. Then, you must add the port number in the given list of port exceptions, so note it down.

Note—once you select the Renew tab, you can alter assigned port no. Then, move towards the scan tab and select the scan now tab to reset the permissions for the firewall.

• After adding the port no, click next in the given list, hit the icon “Allow connection,” and press the next option again.
• If asked, verify that the entire given profiles are checkmarked and create an exceptional rule called QuickBooks Port(year). When the rule got completed, click on the finish tab, and then, for outbound regulations, follow the same steps as given above.

Step 3- Edit the antivirus program settings

If QuickBooks has been assigned with general permissions, you can recheck the antivirus settings if there are issues with updating QuickBooks.

When the antivirus program’s configuration grants permission to QuickBooks, the payroll update process can be rerun, and the error status can be verified.

Read More: Resolve QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error

Conclusion

Thus, from the above blog, we can understand one thing: if there is any disruption in payroll updates, the entire processing of your system can be affected. While we know the several reasons why it occurs and the possible reasons behind its occurrence, when one can learn about them carefully, taking precautions and preventing it from happening in the system can be made smoother and more accessible.

Not only this, but there are some reasons that despite taking precautions, we caught up with errors at that time; one can follow the solutions in the above blog, understand them, and follow them step by step to avoid disruptions in their work. But still, if you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us, as we are here to help you at any point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When does the ps038 error QuickBooks desktop occur?

This is one of the most common errors. The reason behind the occurrence of this is as follows-

• Installation of an outdated version of QuickBooks.
• When the payroll is being executed, there is a chance that paychecks will get stuck.
•  Inactivated subscription in payroll.
• In the Quickbooks files, there may be data damage or loss issues.
• The QuickBooks program got damaged, leading to its not functioning accurately.
• While processing the payroll, the firewall may impose some restrictions.

Q2. How can one successfully fix QuickBooks error ps038?

By learning about the following given solutions-

• QuickBooks most recent version update is needed.
• Exceptions are newly created for QuickBooks, and the restrictions imposed by antivirus or firewall are removed.
• Detect and verify the payroll checks when getting stuck.
• Use the rebuild data utility tool to resolve the error or other issues.

Q3. How can you resolve the paychecks that got stuck in QuickBooks payroll?

Follow the steps as follows to detect the paychecks that got stuck-

• Through the edit option, verify the paychecks when it gets stuck.
• When you can detect it, click on the verify data tool by clicking on the utility option from the file icon.
• After this, if the issue persists, try to install/download the updated payroll once again. 

Q4. Why are my payroll liabilities not showing up in QB?

Due to incomplete or wrong payroll transactions, payroll setup needs to be corrected, or there are specific issues and problems with the QB files.

Q5. How do you edit a direct deposit paycheck in Quickbooks online?

It can be done as follows-

• Click on the employee’s option from the worker’s menu tab.
• Click on the name of the employee on whose paycheck you will make changes that will be edited.
• You should now see the pay option on your screen. Click on the paycheck that you want to edit.
• Once all the required changes are done, hit the ok tab.

Q6. Where can you find solutions for QuickBooks payroll update error ps038?

The official support site for QuickBooks has some suitable solutions for this. You can also access this directly by contacting the QB support system or participating in the QB community forums.

Q7. Can QuickBooks payroll error ps038 be resolved?

Yes, it can. Verifying the payroll subscription, installing the payroll update to the most recent version, installing the payroll tax table of the most updated version, and other measures can help resolve this error. 

Q8. When does QuickBooks error code ps038 appear?

It usually occurs at that point when you are trying to send the deposit paychecks directly or even trying to send the payroll data.

Q9. What does one mean by QuickBooks error ps038?

In QuickBooks, when you identify the payroll function issue, that time error occurs. When it happens, it prevents you from sharing the direct deposit paychecks ahead and even prevents you from sharing payroll data.