Skip to content

Complete Guide to QuickBooks Error 15221 when Updating QuickBooks

QuickBooks is one of the best applications in the market that eases the accounting and payroll tasks for multiple businesses. In addition to its features, it stays up to date with regular updates. Not only are these updates essential to introduce new features, but in case of existing common glitches in the software, downloading QuickBooks updates can fix them. And in such a scenario, if an error like QuickBooks Error 15221 hampers the updating of the application, it can be quite frustrating.

QuickBooks Error 15221 generally emerges when you try to access the new updates of the software. You won’t be able to work on the application, and that is when you will require this article.

Our Experts have listed tried and tested solutions for update error 15221 in QuickBooks. You can either follow the technical parts of the article manually or let the QuickBooks Support team do the tedious job. In the latter case, you only have to dial their toll-free number +1-(855)-542-9309.

Various ways to fix QuickBooks Error 15221 when downloading QuickBooks Desktop updates

Let us now look at various solutions you can employ to resolve the QuickBooks Error Code 15221 when downloading QuickBooks Desktop Updates.

Solution 1: Clean Install the QuickBooks application

Following the steps to clean install QuickBooks, you can fix the errors that root from corrupted company files. We have listed the procedure to uninstall QuickBooks and reinstall it without hindrance. But, before we move to the actual process, here are some points you must keep in mind.

  • Use the web browser to download the installer for your QuickBooks version.
  • You must not forget to note down the license number. You can find it either on QuickBooks or in the purchase confirmation email.
  • Note the product year and version.

As the first step, you must uninstall QuickBooks Desktop

  • Open the Start menu on your system and type Control Panel in the search bar.
  • Once Control Panel is open, click on the Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program option.
  • Select the version of QuickBooks Desktop that you have using the list of programs.
  • Next to the application name, click on the Uninstall/Change option and then hit Remove.
  • Choose Next.
  • Once the un-installation process is complete, download your version of QuickBooks Desktop using Intuit’s website.
  • You must save the download file at a location that is easily accessible and you will not forget, like your desktop or the downloads folder.
  • Open the downloaded file QuickBooks.exe.
  • Go through the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of QuickBooks. After you accept the software license agreement, click on Next.
  • At this point, you will need the product and license number.
  • Hit the Next button to complete the installation of the QuickBooks Desktop.

See the following guide to fix the QuickBooks Error PS107

Solution 2: Add Intuit as the trusted site in the Internet Explorer to fix QuickBooks Error 15221

By following this solution, you can ensure that Internet Explorer does not hinder the update process of QuickBooks.

  • Launch Internet Explorer and hit on the Gear icon.
  • Choose Internet Options.
  • Press the Security tab and then click on Trusted Sites.
  • Choose the Site option and add the following websites.
  • For users with the US version of QuickBooks:
  • For those with the Canadian version of QuickBooks:
    • *.quickbooks.ca
    • *.intuit.ca
  • Press Close and then choose Apply.
  • At last, hit on the Ok button.

Solution 3: Installing Digital Signature Certificate

Before protecting your system and the data, it contains, QuickBooks uses the digital signature of the files downloaded through it. If QuickBooks fails to verify the digital signature of a file, it may cause Error code 15221 in QuickBooks.

  • If open, close the QuickBooks application.
  • Open the location- C:\Program File\Intuit\QuickBooks. Here look for QBW32.exe.
  • Look for the QBW32.exe file and by right-click, choose the Properties option.
  • Open the Digital Signature tab and ensure that in the signature list, Intuit is selected.
  • Click on Details and then choose View certificate.
  • Then pick the Install Certificate option.
  • Keep pressing the Next button until Finish is displayed.
  • Hit on the Finish button and restart your system.
  • Lastly, access the QuickBooks application and try downloading the updates without QuickBooks Error 15221.

Solution 4: Rename QuickBooks installation folders manually

By following this solution of renaming the QuickBooks installation folders manually, you can check if the update error arises from folder corruption. The steps listed below will prevent QuickBooks from accessing the old files when updating.

  • If you haven’t yet uninstalled QuickBooks, do it as the first step.
  • You must also display hidden files on your system.
  • Go to the Start icon, and from the search bar, open the File Explorer.
  • Now you must search for the folder that hosts your QuickBooks company files. If you are not sure, try looking at the locations given below.
    • C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
    • C:\Users(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
    • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
    • 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • On finding the folder, right-click on it and choose Rename option.
  • Add the OLD suffix to the folder name, and QuickBooks won’t access them when you reinstall the application.
  • Finally, use the web browser to install QuickBooks Desktop again.
Now, if you cannot accomplish the steps to rename the folder and face an access error message, here is what can be done
  • First, right-click the Windows Task Bar to choose the Task Manager option.
  • Click on the Processes tab and use the Name column header to sort the list.
  • Use End Process for the following tasks: QBDBMgrN.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBCFMonitorService.exe, Qbw32.exe.
  • On coming across the “WARNING: Terminating a process can cause undesired results… error message, hit the Yes option.

A short guide you may find helpful in fixing QuickBooks error 15106

Concluding….

We understand how frustrating it can be when QuickBooks Error 15221 flashes every time you try to download QuickBooks updates. Through this article, we aim to provide you with Expert solutions to resolve this update error of QuickBooks. If you are still coming across the error with QuickBooks Desktop or Payroll, contact technical support team on +1-(855)-542-9309, so they can look a step deeper to eliminate the root cause of error code 15221 in QuickBooks.

Tags: