How to Fix the QuickBooks Error 15101

Error code 5101 might occur during or after a payroll or QuickBooks software upgrade. Some of the most common causes are incorrect internet settings or software that isn’t working properly. The error is also encountered if you don’t have a correctly installed digital signature certificate. You need to have proper internet settings by configuring your LAN settings on the Internet to resolve it.

Error Message: Error 15101: When updating QuickBooks Desktop or Payroll

Further, users whose payroll subscription has expired will get this error when they try to work with payroll, and especially when they try to update it. Because of an inability to install payroll updates, users won’t be able to get the latest text tables and tax forms to accurately calculate payroll taxes and file taxes online.

This QuickBooks update error 15101 requires you to make sure that your payroll subscription is active and that the digital signature certificate installed to verify that QuickBooks is a valid software is working properly.

You may also have to try the reboot file, which enables you to re-register this software and the various program files related to it. In the end, users may also have to set the Internet Explorer settings so that QuickBooks can easily connect to its server and download the update files.

In this post, you’ll learn how to fix QuickBooks error 15101.

What Reasons for QuickBooks Error Code 15101?

Before moving ahead with the solutions, the users need to identify the causes first so that they can easily go with the best one. This particular error code 15101 can be experienced due to several reasons, which are as follows:

• If you haven’t started all QuickBooks services on Windows.
• When a Digital Signature Certificate is not installed properly or is corrupted.
• QBWebconnector.exe program is not running properly.
• If the third-party application is interfering with QuickBooks and causing issues in the payroll update process. 
• If QuickBooks is not set to use Internet Explorer as the default browser to retrieve internet connection settings.
• In case Windows Firewall is preventing QuickBooks from connecting to the Internet. 
• Missing or unavailable digital signature certificate of QuickBooks Desktop.
• Due to a virus or malware infestation, there might be some damage to the QuickBooks Files and Folders.

Signs and Symptoms of QuickBooks Error Code 15101?

The below-listed signs or symptoms will surely help you to detect the error with much ease. Let’s see how:

• The most basic sign is if the software or payroll update gets hindered by any error message.
• The system freezes now and then.
• Whenever you try to download a payroll update, it fails, and then the error message starts appearing on your screen. 
• The system slows down and doesn’t respond to keyboard inputs.

Steps to Resolve QuickBooks Update Error 15101

There are a series of QuickBooks errors that fall under 15000 patterns, thus, multiple factors can instigate this kind of error code. In this section, you will find plenty of solutions to troubleshoot such an error. But you do not have to perform all the solutions simultaneously. Every error message can be eliminated differently. So, you are just required to carry out each solution one by one until you get a method that applies to your situation. Let’s get started moving further.

Method 1: Set up a Digital Signature certificate

You are required to follow the instructions below to fix QuickBooks error code 15101 manually:

When downloading a QuickBooks update, Intuit servers ask for confirmation of the digital signature of QuickBooks. If, for some reason, the digital signature authentication is missing, you will need to fix it manually as per the given steps to fix QuickBooks error 15101.

• We’ll go to the Windows bar and search for QBW32.exe. Its location will be: C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks.
• We right-click on the file and open its Properties.
• Now, we’ll click on the Digital Signature tab to ensure that Intuit, Inc. is selected.
• Details> View Certificate.
• Now, we will keep clicking on throughout the next steps until we reach Finish.
• We’ll restart the computer and reopen QuickBooks.
• Finally, we’ll initiate the update.

Method 2: Make Sure Security is enabled

In this method, we’ll ensure that our Firewall protection is on and a good antivirus is installed on our computer. We do this to ensure that we have Internet Protection both inside and outside of our computers. Sometimes, Firewalls are not configured to approve QuickBooks updates, hence creating errors while trying to do so.

Method 3: Reconfigure Windows Firewall

Configuring your Windows Firewall can help you optimize protection for devices in your network.

• To begin with, tap on the Windows icon and switch to Settings.
• Next, enter Firewall in the Find a Setting search box.
• Select Windows Firewall once it opens, click on Allow All or Feature through Windows Firewall.
• In the Allowed Apps Window, choose the Change Settings option.
• After this, you have to mark the checkbox for applications on your computer that you want to allow to communicate over the Internet without being stopped by the Firewall.
• Now, select the Private and Public checkboxes to narrow down whether you want just networks that are secure to allow this communication or also public and nonsecure networks to do so.
• Then, press Ok to close and shut the Windows Firewall Window.

Method 4: Restart QBConnector.exe Process

QuickBooks error code 15101 can also be resolved if you restart the QBConnector.exe Process. Check out the steps outlined below;

• In the beginning, you have to press and hold the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open the Task Manager.
• Next, go to the Processes tab and look for QBConnector.exe.
• Hit the right-click and click the End Process option.

Method 5: Reset All the Previous Updates

While downloading the new updates, you might end up with QuickBooks Error 15101 due to many previous partially downloaded updates. In this scenario, you have to clear all the previous updates by following the step-by-step guide:

• Firstly, you need to open QuickBooks Desktop and navigate to the Help menu.
• From here, tap on Update QuickBooks Desktop.
• Now, browse to the Update Now tab and select the Reset Update checkbox, then click on Get Updates.
• Once the download completes, you have to close and restart QuickBooks.
• Navigate to the Help menu again and choose the Update QuickBooks Desktop option.
• Finally, you have to click on Update Now under the Overview tab.

Method 6: Rename the QuickBooks Folder

If there’s damage in your QuickBooks files, QuickBooks error 15101 can occur. Thus, you have to rename the company file to avoid such an error. To do so, you have to follow the steps.

• Initially, close the QuickBooks application and follow either of the below-listed paths:
  • C:\Program Data\ Intuit\ QuickBooks 20(YY)\Components
  • C:\Program File (x86)\ Intuit\ QuickBooks 2020\ Components
• Hit a right-click on the Components folder and choose the Rename option.
• Further, add.OLD at the end of the name or press the Enter key, and then check for the status of error 15101.

Method 7: Run Quick Fix My Program from the QuickBooks Tool Hub

If you come across QuickBooks Error 15101 while using the QuickBooks Desktop Program, Quick Fix my Program will run a scan to detect and rectify it immediately. However, if you haven’t downloaded and installed the QuickBooks Tool Hub, then you can download it from here and run this tool by going through the below-mentioned steps:

• Open the Tool Hub and navigate to the Program Problems tab.
• If you are unable to download the updates, hover over the Tool Hub again and select Company File Issues.
• Select Quick Fix my Program and wait until the scanning process is completed.
• Once done, restart QuickBooks Desktop and open the company file.
• Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor and follow the onscreen instructions to resolve this error.

Method 8: Recheck Internet Explorer Settings 

There might be a possibility that there is some issue with your default browser due to which might lead to the QuickBooks error message 15101. Therefore, it is suggested to verify your internet settings and then update them whenever it is required. Below are the steps to wind up the process:

• You are required to hold and press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run window and then type INETCPL.CPL on the open box.
• Now, click OK to proceed.
• Hit the General tab, tap on Delete, and select Temporary Internet Files and Website Files.
• After that, press Delete again.
• Choose the Connections tab and tap on LAN Settings.
• Furthermore, you have to detect settings and click OK.
• In the end, head to the Advanced tab, then scroll down to the security section and check if TLS 1.2 is checked and TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 are unchecked.

Method 9: Reinstall QuickBooks in Safe Mode

Sometimes, third-party programs interfere with downloading the Payroll or QuickBooks updates. So, you must try to run your system in a safe mode as it ensures that only the essential programs in Windows will operate while completing the download process. Doing so helps you to fix QuickBooks Error Code 15101. Here’s how;

• The very first step is to reboot Windows and hold the F8 key multiple times to display the Safe Boot options.
• Once the safe boot options start appearing on your screen, click Safe Mode.
• Hit the Enter key to boot in Safe Mode.
• The next step is to select the Windows + R keys together on your keyboard and type in appwiz.cpl.
• Now, again press the Enter key and make a double-click on the QuickBooks Desktop icon from the list of installed programs.
• Then, follow the prompts to completely remove QuickBooks from Windows.
• Navigate to the QuickBooks Product Download page and download the QuickBooks Setup file.
• Furthermore, you have to perform the on-screen instructions to complete the product registration process.
• Finally, update QuickBooks payroll again and check if the issue has been fixed or not.

Restart your System. After that 

• After selecting Safe Mode with Networking, choose which operating system you want to use to restart.
• Now, press the Enter Key.
• Once you are done with the login, select the System Administrator, which will give you access to all computer programs.
• Then, Enter the Administrator Password.
• Moving ahead and choosing the Yes option, when specific to work in a safe mode setting.
• Next, open your QuickBooks and also attempt the task once more that has failed.
• Lastly, restart the system after that.
• Done…!

The methods provided above should resolve your QuickBooks update error 1501 or any other QuickBooks errors. However, if you find yourself unable to complete the task by yourself or you need assistance with some other QuickBooks or related product problems, you can get in touch with the QuickBooks Team. They are a third-party agency that has great expertise in resolving QuickBooks-related issues.

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