Understanding QuickBooks Error Code 12038 With Causes & Solutions

Have you ever faced QuickBooks error 12038 while updating QB Desktop? If yes, then this error can hinder your productivity. This error is displayed with the tagline ‘Failed to download the update.’ It is very irritating and frustrating to counter these update errors more often while using the application. QuickBooks error code 12038 falls under the 12XXX error series. It is linked to the program update and is generally caused by incorrect date and time, or misconfigured internet settings. Moreover, factors such as third-party software blocking connections and the presence of multiple versions of QuickBooks Desktop can also contribute to this issue. It can be easily resolved by the solutions we will explore in this post.

Fixing QuickBooks error 12038 is not a difficult task and can be done with simple steps. But there may be some more complex reasons behind this that we are unfamiliar with. If you are also unable to determine the cause of the error and are having difficulty fixing it, you can contact the experts at 1.855.888.3080 and get your issues resolved within minutes.

Defining the QuickBooks Error Code 12038 

The QuickBooks error 12038 is a 12XXX series of errors that typically occurs while downloading the latest software updates. You can end up in such an error when the date and time aren’t set correctly on your system. Whenever your QB Enterprise or update gets corrupted or stuck in the middle, it is highly probable that you are facing error 12038 in QuickBooks 2024. You can easily troubleshoot this error with the right solutions mentioned in this blog.

Common Causes of QuickBooks Error 12038

Your QuickBooks update can get stuck several times due to many underlying reasons. You can easily identify the cause of the error by analyzing its nature. Here are some of the common causes of QuickBooks error Code 12038:

1. The date and time on your device might be incorrect, which could cause this error when updating QuickBooks Desktop.
2. The internet settings may be incorrect, preventing QuickBooks from updating.
3. A third-party application might be blocking the QBO connection to the Intuit server, resulting in error 12038.
4. If you have multiple versions of QuickBooks installed on the same computer, this can cause issues and lead to errors.
5. Your computer might not meet the minimum requirements needed to run QuickBooks, which can lead to incompatibility issues.
6. Antivirus software and ad blockers can often interfere with the QB program, hindering its functionality and leading to errors and issues.

These are some of the common causes of QuickBooks Desktop error 12038. You need to identify the cause of the error to resolve it properly.

Effective Troubleshooting Methods to Fix QuickBooks Error 12038

Now that you have read about the causes, you must learn the ways to resolve the update issues once and for all. You can easily follow the chronological sequence of the solutions mentioned below to resolve QuickBooks Desktop error 12038 in Windows 11:

1. Updating QuickBooks Desktop in Safe Mode
2. Creating a New Rule for QuickBooks.exe Files
3. Resetting the Previous QuickBooks Updates
4. Configuring Your PC’s Date and Time
5. Reinstalling the QuickBooks Update in Selective Startup
6. Verifying the Network Connection Settings
7. Changing the Firewall Settings
8. Using the Clean Installation Tool to Repair the QuickBooks Program
9. Running an Error Scan in the Company File
10. Restarting Your Device

These are some of the quick and easy troubleshooting procedures to get rid of the QuickBooks update error 12038. You can find the detailed steps for the proven to work methods in the following section. 

Solution 1: Updating QuickBooks Desktop in Safe Mode

You can try this method to switch to safe mode, then try to install the update. Here are the steps to use safe mode to update QuickBooks for the resolution of the QuickBooks error 12038:

1. The first step is to shut down the system.
2. Then, turn your computer back on.
3. Press the F8 key repeatedly to open the Advanced Boot options.
4. Now, from under the networking option.
5. Select the Safe Mode option with the Arrow keys and hit Enter.
6. Once the window opens, head to QuickBooks Desktop.
7. Now run the update with the given instructions.
8. Once the update is finished, exit the program.
9. Again, restart your computer to exit safe mode.

If this solution does not work to get rid of QuickBooks error 12038, you can move to the next solution.

Solution 2: Creating a New Rule for QuickBooks.exe Files

In this section, we will resolve issues with the firewall or a third-party network that may be causing a blockage for QB Desktop. As this software may block the internet access and lead to the QuickBooks update error 12038. Here are the steps that you need to follow to create a new rule for QB .exe files:

1. First, press the Windows key and search for “firewall.” 
2. Once found, open Windows Firewall and head to Advanced settings. 
3. Next, locate and right-click on the Inbound Rules option. 
   
4. A menu will pop up with the option to “Create a New Rule“. 
5. Click on the menu to continue.
6. After you choose the program, hit “Next.” 
7. Now, click on the Browse button to select the QuickBooks software files. 
8. Make sure to include the following QuickBooks-related .exe files: 
   • QBCFMonitorService.exe
   • QBDBMgr.exe
   • QBLaunch.exe
   • Dbmlsync.exe
   • DBManagerExe.exe
   • FileManagement.exe
   • IntuitSyncManager.exe
   • AutoBackupExe.exe
9. Make sure to choose the “Allow the connection” option. 
10. Proceed by pressing the Next button.
11. Now, move to creating a new rule and enter a name for it. 
12. Lastly, repeat the same procedure to create Outbound Rules.

These were some of the steps required to create a new rule for QB .exe files that will help you resolve the QuickBooks error code 12038. In case the update issue persists, you can move on to the following step.

Solution 3: Resetting the Previous QuickBooks Updates

If there were any previously downloaded updates for QB Enterprise, then it can lead to issues while installing the latest update. It’s best to clear out the old updates before moving on with new ones to avoid the QuickBooks error 12038.

1. Go to QB Desktop and expand the Help menu.
2. Click on Update QuickBooks Desktop to open the Update Now tab. 
   
3. Now, tick the Reset Update checkbox and hit Get Updates.
4. Once the download completes, exit and re-open QuickBooks. 
5. Again, tap the Help menu, then select Update QuickBooks Desktop. 
6. In the Overview tab, click on Update Now.

If this did not resolve the QB error 12038, then the date and time may not be set correctly on your system. You will have to carry out the following process for correcting it in order to work around this problem.

Solution 4: Configuring Your PC’s Date and Time

If your system’s date and time are not synced to real-time updates, you might encounter error 12038 in QuickBooks Desktop. Here are the steps to correctly configure the date and time on your PC:

1. Right-click on the date and time on the bottom right of your screen.
2. Click on Adjust Date/Time from the menu.
   
3. Choose the correct time and date, or any further corrections.
4. Once done, exit the settings.

Did the QuickBooks error 12038 resolve now? If you still fail to update the QB Desktop application, then you can move to the following method.

Solution 5: Reinstalling the QuickBooks Update in Selective Startup

Sometimes, external software can also interfere with downloading QuickBooks Enterprise updates. Hence, running your system in Selective Startup ensures that only the necessary applications on your PC are operating as you complete the download process. Here are the steps to download the QB updates in Selective Startup while preventing the QuickBooks payroll update error 12038: 

1. Hit the Windows and R keys together to open the Run dialog box.
2. Enter msconfig in the box and click OK.
   
3. The System Configuration window will open.
4. Head to the General tab and select Load system services and Selective startup.
5. Now go to the Services tab and tick the Hide all Microsoft Services checkbox.
   
6. Then, hit Disable all and uncheck the Hide all Microsoft Services box.
7. Select the Windows Installer from the services list and press OK.
8. Once done, go ahead and restart your computer system.
9. Your PC will turn on in Selective Startup.
10. Locate the QuickBooks update file.
11. Install the file with instructions displayed on screen.
12. Once done, head back to the System Configuration window.
13. Select Normal Startup from the General tab.
    
14. Press OK and restart the computer.

Switching Windows in Selective Startup can also be a good idea to get rid of QuickBooks error 12038. However, you need to configure everything, especially network configurations.

Solution 6: Verifying the Network Connection Settings

If your internet connection is lost, it may cause an update issue and trigger the QuickBooks error 12038. If you are able to access the website, make the required changes for a stable connection by following the outlined steps:

1. Go to QB Enterprise and expand the Help menu.
2. Click on Internet Connection Setup.
   
3. Now, continue with Use my computer’s Internet connection settings.
4. This will help establish a connection to let the QB access the internet.
5. Now hit Next and head to Advanced Connection Settings.
6. Then, go to the Advanced tab and select Restore Advanced Settings.
7. Lastly, tap OK and move on to update the QBDT application.

Verifying the internet connection settings is an important step in resolving the QB Desktop error 12038. We hope that these resolutions were helpful in resolving the update issue.

Final Words!

QuickBooks error code 12038 does not allow you to download recent updates for QB Desktop on your computer. This error can arise when there are some discrepancies in the data and time of your PC or when there are incorrectly configured network settings, or many other reasons. 

You need to follow the troubleshooting methods mentioned in this post to fix the QuickBooks error 12038 in easy and quick steps. If you are unable to fix it on your own, you can reach out to us at 1-855-888-3080 and get assistance from our experts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Erica watson

Erica Watson is writing about accounting and bookkeeping for over 7+ years, making even the difficult technical topics easy to understand. She is skilled at creating content about popular accounting and tax softwares such as QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, Quicken, etc. Erica’s knowledge of such softwares allows her to create articles and guides that are both informative and easy to follow. Her writing builds trust with readers, thanks to her ability to explain things clearly while showing a real understanding of the industry.