Troubleshoot Payroll service connection error in QuickBooks Desktop

QuickBooks payroll is often obstructed by different types of errors that hinder accounting operations.  Payroll Service Connection Error causes the payroll to stop abruptly. There are various factors that can open the grounds for this error. Some of the major causes include out-to-date security certificate, poor internet connectivity leading to a network time-out, wrongly set internet settings, and other causes. The current blog discusses all these causes including the various solutions to fix QuickBooks payroll service connection error.

QuickBooks Payroll Service Connection error – Major causes

• QuickBooks Signature certificate is out-dated or incorrectly installed.
• Wrongly set internet settings.
• Network time-out can also lead to this error.
• Security software like Windows firewall or antivirus could be leading to this error.
• System time and date may be incorrect.

Procedure to fix QuickBooks Payroll Service connection error

Procedure 1: Install QuickBooks Tax table

• Users are recommended to update their tax table from the website of Intuit.
• Since the CD was withdrawn in January 2021, using it to update tax tables is no longer possible.

Steps to update QuickBooks Tax table

• Run QuickBooks and go to the Employees tab.

• Click on the checkbox next to the Download full Update option.
• Click on Download the Most Recent Update option.

Procedure 2: Update QuickBooks Desktop

• Run QuickBooks Desktop.
• Click on the Help tab.
• From there, click on Update QuickBooks Desktop.

• Hit on "Update Now".
• Click on Get updates to start downloading the updates.
• Close QuickBooks when the update is done.
• A new window will open once QuickBooks restarts requesting that the user install the downloaded updates. Click on Yes to start the update installation procedure.

Procedure 3: Correct date and time

• Check the Date and Time of the computer.
• If there are any inconsistencies in the Date and Time, right-click on the time/date on the taskbar.
• Now, hit on "Adjust date/time".

• Correct the time and date and then click on the Adjust time zone option.
• Hit on "Ok."
• Click on Apply.
• After the date and time have been set correctly, open QuickBooks Payroll and perform your routine operations, such creating tax returns and payroll. The payroll service error should be resolved.

Procedure 4: Configure internet connection settings

• Run QuickBooks Desktop.
• Click on Help tab. Go to Update QuickBooks Desktop.
• Hit on "Update Now".
• Click on Get updates and wait for the download to finish.
• A new window will open once QuickBooks restarts requesting that the user install the downloaded updates. Click on Yes to start the update installation procedure.

Procedure 5: Configure Windows Firewall

• Click on the Start button and type "firewall" in the search field.
• Once Windows Firewall and go to Advanced Settings.
• Right-click Inbound Rules and then click on the option to create New rule.

• Choose a port.
• Hit on save.
• The various QuickBooks ports are:

• For QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and 2019 - 8019, 56728, 55378/55382,
• For QuickBooks 2017 and 2018 - 8019, 56727, 55373/55377.
• Click on Next.
• Type a name for the new rule.
• Hit on Finish.
• Perform the same steps for Outbound Rules.

You may also read: How to Correct the Incorrect COGS in QuickBooks Desktop?

Winding Up!

This article should help users to troubleshoot payroll service connection error in QuickBooks Desktop. If you face any issues in QuickBooks, just call our experts at the helpline 1 800 761 1787.