QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038 occurs when the user is trying to download the latest tax tables and forms from Intuit servers. It may also occur when trying to deposit payroll directly into the bank account of the employees. Before users can get the latest text tables on their system, they need to make sure that they have installed all the latest updates for the desktop software and that they have created a backup of their company files. The next thing that users have to do is check the payroll data and ensure that it is correct. Further, you may have to try a few actions, which, if unsuccessful, may mean that you’ve to apply additional solutions.
QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038 also requires you to identify any stuck or unprocessed paycheck. In the end, we may have to verify and rebuild your company file data so that we can ensure that the company file is free from any other issues. Rebuilding the data also helps in identifying errors and ensures the integrity of your accounting data.
In this post, you’ll learn how to fix QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038.
QuickBooks Error PS038 is a payroll error that users usually experience when they attempt to send paychecks online and the paychecks are stuck in the “Online to send” state. An update to the latest release of QuickBooks Desktop along with the payroll services is the basic troubleshooting to fix such payroll issues.
About Error
Error Code: | QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038 | Developer & Software: | Intuit Inc./QuickBooks |
Error Description: | You’ve retrieved the latest payroll update and validated your Payroll subscription. We strongly recommend that you go online again before mm/dd/yyyy. [PS038]. | Applies to: | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
Cause: | QuickBooks software is not updated, and Payroll updates are not installed. | Symptom: | It crashes an active window, Lowers the processing speed, and increases the timing of the task completion |
Possible Solution: | Get Payroll Update, Check Full Details Of Quickbooks Payroll Upgrade |
What is QuickBooks Payroll Update Error PS038 & How to fix it?
Payroll Error PS038 states that You Have Updated Latest Payroll Update PS038; Validated Payroll Subscriptions. All the PS errors related to QuickBooks come up when you attempt to download the latest payroll update followed by a message.
All your QuickBooks payroll errors can very skillfully be taken by us. We, through QuickBooks payroll Customer Service, can provide you with the best possible solution to your errors and help you understand the Error in case you face it next time.
Causes of QuickBooks Payroll Update Error PS038
There are several reasons that can rise to QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038, but some of the most significant reasons are jotted down.
Causes | Description |
---|---|
Damaged Company File | The damaged company file is one of the most common causes behind the error code PS038, Damaged company files not only infect QuickBooks files but also infect your computer system. |
Retrieval of Latest Payroll Update | At the time of recovery of your current QB Payroll Update & validation of Payroll Subscription, a PS038 error usually occurs when you proceed. |
Sending Paychecks Online | At the time of sending paycheck via online mode & the paycheck stuck “Online to Send” |
Outdated QuickBooks Application | An outdated QuickBooks Application becomes incompatible, which leads to Error PS038 while updating payroll. |
Symptoms of QuickBooks Payroll Update Error PS038
There are several symptoms of QuickBooks payroll Error PS038, which help you to identify the problem. Some of them are listed below;
Symptoms | Description |
---|---|
Crashed or Degraded Windows | As quickly as the error occurs, it crashes a lively window and degrades the Windows performance. |
Slower Down System Performance | The error code PS038 lowers the processing speed and will increase the timing of the task completion. |
Interrupted Payroll Update Method | When the error shows up, the payroll update method is interrupted. |
Not able to Deal with Paychecks | The user needs to examine numerous statistics to check the error whilst dealing with paychecks because of data discrepancies. |
Precautions to Take Before Troubleshooting QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038
Before performing any troubleshooting methods for Error Code PS038, make sure to checkmark the mentioned below points.
Precautions | Description |
---|---|
Upgrade QuickBooks to the Latest Version | If you’re using an older version of QuickBooks Software, then make sure to upgrade it to at least the 2019 version to Latest Release |
Backup QB Company File & Payroll Data | Before going to resolve the QB Error Ps038, make sure to keep a backup of Your QuickBooks company files & Payroll Data to avoid any loss. |
Latest Payroll Tax Table Installed on QB Desktop | Be sure to have the latest Payroll Tax Table installed on your Quickbooks Desktop Application to avoid any complications while doing the troubleshooting steps. |
How to Fix Resolve QuickBooks Error Code PS038
Below are some of the steps that you need to follow. Following which will help you in resolving the issue (s)
1. Step One: Update QuickBooks Desktop Application
- First of all, Open your Quickbooks application
- Head to the Help Section then Update Quickbooks desktop
- Now click on the Update at the top of the right corner
- Now, Just click on the “Get Updates” option
- The Process Started, Once the update is completed close & reopen the QuickBooks.
2. Step Two: Get Payroll Update >> Send Payroll Data
- Restart your system and open your QuickBooks Desktop.
- Open Employees >> My Profile Service

- Now Click on Send Data (Usage) or Send Payroll Data.

If sending is successful, reattempt to get the payroll update. If sending is failed then move ahead to Next Step.
3. Step Three: Verify & Rebuild Data
To Verify Data
- First of all Open the QuickBooks Desktop Application
- Move head to File then Utilities >> Verify Data
- Now click on “OK” to close all open windows
- If Quickbooks Application doesn’t reflect any problem with your data click on “OK”.
To Rebuild Data
- Open Your QuickBooks desktop application
- then, move ahead to File >> Utilities >> Rebuild Data
- Now click on “OK” the “Save” to create a Backup
- The Rebuilding process has started
- Once the rebuilding process is completed click on “View Results”.
- Now, If you didn’t find any issue then proceed to the Next Step. If you find any issues then ask our experts for Help with the Instant Chat option
Step four: If, paychecks are sent are stuck online
There is a possibility that your paycheck is blocked online, and this could be the reason for QuickBooks’ error code PS038.
To make sure about paychecks, follow the steps below:
- Go to Edit > Find.
- Pick the Advanced tab.
- From the channel chosen Detail Level and Summary as it were.
- From the filter elected Online Status and the drop-down, the menu picks Online to Send.
- Now, click Find to see the paychecks.
- Verify the data and stuck paychecks will appear.
Last Step: Check Full Details Of Quickbooks Payroll Upgrades
Also, need to check the full details of the QuickBooks payroll Upgrade to find out other issues and problems.
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Step One
Select Edit –> File, then click on Advanced Tab.
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Step Two
Click on Filter Section –> Under filter Section, click on Detail Level, To the right, click on a summary only.
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Step Three
Follow the third step again and click on Online to Send.
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Step Four
Select the Find button to look for Paychecks.
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Step Five
Now, record all the details of the paychecks.
—— Here, you can manage all your payroll Summary reports of all the transactions.
—— Now, send this data to Excel and then Save it. -
Step Six
Now, start with the first check from the list.
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Step Seven
Locate and then open the paycheck.
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Step Eight
Select the paycheck Details.
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Step Nine
Enter same earning items – last earning items through review paychecks
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Step Ten
You will receive a message from Net Pay Locked. Select No and close this message.
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Step Eleven
Select the Rate field from the new earnings item you just have added.
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Step Twelve
Check that the Net Pay and the taxes did not get changed, and select OK to save all the changes.
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Step Thirteen
If you receive any Past Transaction message, select Yes.
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Step fourteen
Select Save & Close so that you can close your paycheck.
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Step Fifteen
Open your paycheck once again.
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Step Sixteen
Select Paycheck Details.
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Step Seventeen
Delete all the earnings items that you had added in the Earnings section.
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Step Eighteen
Check that the Net Pay and the Taxes did not get changed then click on OK to save all the changes.
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Step Nineteen
Select Save & Close so that you can close the paycheck.
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Step Twenty
You have to repeat the steps for each and every paycheck.
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Step Twenty-One
Once you are done with this, try to send Usage Data once again.
FAQ
-
What are the causes for QuickBooks Desktop Payroll error ps038?
The reasons that cause you this error in your QuickBooks account are as follows:-
A. The update of payroll is not installed
B. Your QuickBooks is outdated
C. When you are sending the payments, your paycheck gets stuck in between. -
How to update the QuickBooks Desktop from the software itself?
To update the QuickBooks Desktop software from the account. The steps are:-
A. Open the QuickBooks Desktop
B. Then click on the Help menu option
C. Further, click on the Update QuickBooks Desktop
D. Now click on the Update Now button
E. It checks for updates that are available and shown to you
F. After that, click on the Get Updates button
G. When the update is completed, you have to restart the QuickBooks Software. -
How does this QuickBooks payroll error ps038 affect your software?
This error affects your working software by
A. The payroll update process got interrupted when you encountered his error
B. It decreases the Windows performance and also slows down your QuickBooks software
C. You face errors while sending the paychecks.
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