How to Tackle QuickBooks 2023 Error 15103 with experts Solutions

QuickBooks error 15103 is famous for interrupting the application’s update process. You may get this error anytime due to specific triggers. We have discussed these details in this comprehensive blog so that you can be free of this error in no time.

Multiple QuickBooks users have reported how they can now do their tasks in minutes, such as that of Payroll. For Mike, a user of QuickBooks, he used to spend hours doing Payroll but now all it takes is 20 minutes. This is just one of the stories of businesses benefiting from QuickBooks. To top up the application’s features, QuickBooks has regular updates that avoid any errors in the application. But, what if an update error such as QuickBooks Error 15103 hampers the process. The process aims to fix the issues of this software.

QuickBooks Error 15103 roots in various reasons, and the most common ones are corruption or damaged company files. This puts the crucial data that you have in QuickBooks at risk.

So, what does this mean for you? This implies that you must fix the error as soon as possible, or you can pass this task to the Tech Team by calling on +1-(855)-542-9309. With the guidance of the experts, you can get rid of Error 15103 in QuickBooks and secure your data from any loss.

What is QuickBooks Error 15103?

Like every update error, QuickBooks 2023 error 15103 emerges while you update your application and causes glitches, crashes, and other interruptions. Among the various causes of the error, the primary ones are the incorrect configuration of Internet Explorer, an invalid digital signature certificate, etc. Users can’t download, install, or update the application, and accessing the improved features become a hassle. 

Users also encounter this error while opening the company file in multi-user settings. The error messages accompanying error 15103 in QuickBooks Desktop are as follows:

“Error 15103: Unable to open the update program

Or

Error 15103: The update program is damaged.”

So, when you see this error, you’ll need to understand the reasons to troubleshoot it correctly. So, let’s look at them in detail below.

Reasons Why QuickBooks Error 15103 Surfaces

Here are the top reasons why error 15103 QuickBooks Desktop attacks your system:

1. An incorrect configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer can trigger this error. You’ll need to perform the correct configuration.
2. When you do not install QuickBooks correctly, you will get this error. The installation files may be corrupted, damaged, or incompletely downloaded.
3. The digital signature of the file is not verifiable by QuickBooks.
4. Important Windows files may be corrupted, leading to this error.
5. Virus or malware infections may also cause errors.
6. Your Windows registry may be problematic.
7. An outdated Windows Operating System and incompatibility with QuickBooks may lead to this error.
8. If the internet and network connectivity is poor, you will face this problem.
9. Incorrect date and time settings on the PC may lead to problems.
10. The antivirus or Windows Firewall can interrupt the smooth running of the application as the internet connection gets blocked. 
11. Disabled QuickBooks File Copy Services can bring forth this error.
12. While undertaking payroll updates, you may have a missing file or component. 
13. The Shared Download Drive might not be mapped correctly. 

All these reasons are responsible for promoting the 15103 error QuickBooks Desktop. Now, if users want to eliminate it, they need to consider the following solutions.

Fix QuickBooks Error 15103 Manually with these Solutions

We will cover five solutions to help you eliminate update error 15103 in QuickBooks. As a user, you must follow the steps correctly while taking care of the fact that a tiny mistake can cause the loss of your data.

Solution 1: Ensure that Internet Explorer is your Default Web Browser

QuickBooks recommends that Internet Explorer be set as the default browser, especially for the QuickBooks Desktop Payroll service. Sometimes, this is one of the reasons why certain updates do not get installed correctly. Follow the steps below to set Internet Explorer as the default web browser for your PC.

1. Go to the Internet Explorer icon and open it.
2. Press the Gear icon towards the upper right corner, or you can also click on Tools.
3. Choose Internet Options and then the Programs tab.
4. Click on the Make Default option under Default Web Browser.
5. At last, hit on OK.

Read this short guide if you are facing the QuickBooks Error 15101

Solution 2: Switch to the Selective Startup Mode and remove QuickBooks Error 15103

Switching to the Selective Startup Mode ensures that you do not let background applications hinder the update process, and hence you can correct QuickBooks error 15103.

What to do Before Turning on the Selective Startup Mode of your Computer?

There are some points that you must remember before you update QuickBooks using the Selective Startup Mode of your computer:

1. You must prepare your company file’s backup.
2. Your QuickBooks Desktop product and license number must be there with you.

Once the above points have been ticked off, let us now look at the steps to switch to the Selective Startup Mode:

1. Press the Windows + R keys together, which will open the Run command window.
2. Into the window, type msconfig and press Enter.
3. Click on the General tab option, and from there, select Selective startup and Load system services.
4. Next, navigate to the Services tab.
5. Choose the Hide all Microsoft Services option.
6. Click on Disable all, and you must unselect the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
7. At the same time, you must ensure that the Windows Installer checkbox under the list of services is selected.
8. Press OK and then Restart the system.
9. Now you must use clean install tool to install QuickBooks Desktop.
10. Finally, after the installation, switch to the Normal Startup Mode.
11. Use Windows + R, and then in the Run command window, type msconfig.
12. Hit on the OK button.
13. Navigate to the General tab and then to Normal startup.
14. Press OK and then Restart the system.

Solution 3: Install a Digital Signature Certificate to fix QuickBooks Error 15103

A digital signature ensures that Intuit has the proper authorization, and in this solution, we will be doing exactly that by installing a digital signature certificate.

1. Navigate to the following location: C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks.
2. Look for the QBW32.exe file and right-click on it, and from the drop-down menu, choose Properties.
3. Click the Digital Signature button and ensure that Intuit is in the signature list.
4. Choose the Details option, which will lead to the Digital Signature Details window.
5. Click on View Certificate, and navigate to Install Certificate in the window.
6. Press Next until you reach the Finish button.
7. Hit on Finish and restart the computer.
8. Download the updates and notice the status of QuickBooks error 15103.

Solution 4: Use the Safe Mode of the Computer to Download Updates

With the safe mode, only the essentials program will run; hence, you can fix QuickBooks error 15103. Follow the steps below to run your system in safe mode and download the updates while in it.

1. Restart your system and use the Safe Mode.
2. While in the safe mode, download the update that was causing QuickBooks Error Code 15103.
3. If no error occurs, restart the PC in Normal Mode and start downloading the updates as usual.

What can you do when you are tripped by QuickBooks Error PS036

Solution 5: Delete the Old Updates to Fix QuickBooks Error Code 15103

This solution pretty much helps you get rid of an error that may have crept up from a previous update of QuickBooks.

1. If QuickBooks Desktop is open, close it and navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Intuit\QuickBooks XX\Components and delete the file.
2. Launch QuickBooks and click on the Help menu.
3. Choose the Update QuickBooks Desktop button.
4. Click on the Update Now button and then ensure the Reset Update checkbox is selected.
5. Press Get Updates which will start the download process.
6. Close and then open QuickBooks Desktop.
7. Next, click on the Help menu while choosing the Update QuickBooks Desktop option.
8. From the Overview tab, press Update Now.

Solution 6: Run QB as Administrator to Download the Updates

You should have administrator rights to download the updates correctly. Do so as follows:

1. Close your company files and QuickBooks Desktop application. 
2. Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop app and opt for the Run as administrator option. 
3. Tap Yes when a prompt appears and asks, “Do you want to allow this program to make changes to your computer?”
4. Now, download the latest QuickBooks Desktop updates and payroll tax tables to run QuickBooks seamlessly. 

Solution 7: Consider Quick Fix My Program

You can resolve the performance issues caused by the QuickBooks error 15103 by resorting to the Tool Hub. Downloading and using it will help you fix common QB errors. You can do so as follows:

1. Exit QuickBooks and visit the official sources to download the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub. Let the download file be saved to an easily accessible location like the download folder on Windows. 
2. If you have QuickBooks Tool Hub already installed on your system, you can check its version by going to the Home tab and looking at the bottom. 
3. Access the downloaded file and double-click the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file here.
4. Execute all the on-screen steps as given and accept the terms and conditions.
5. After the installation ends, double-click the QuickBooks Tool Hub icon on the Windows desktop.
6. Now, open the QuickBooks Tool Hub and opt for the Program problems tab.
7. Choose Quick Fix My Program and let it run. It will close the processes running in the background.
8. After the process ends, you can open QuickBooks and your company file again.
9. Now, attempt to download the QuickBooks Desktop and payroll tax tables updates.

If the error continues to arise, take the following actions:

1. Close the QuickBooks application and follow the path C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks XX\Components. (XX denotes QB Version)
2. Right-click the Components option and tap Delete.
3. Launch QB Desktop, access the Help menu, and choose the Update QuickBooks Desktop option. 
4. Tap Update Now, followed by the reset updates checkbox.
5. Choose to get updates and close and reopen QB Desktop after the download finishes.
6. Tap Help succeeded by updating QuickBooks Desktop. 
7. Choose Overview, followed by Update now.

Solution 8: Fix QuickBooks Installation Errors

You can consider using the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to fix the installation errors in the QuickBooks application. You can download and install QB Tool Hub as given above in the Quick Fix My program solution. Now, to access the install diagnostic tool, take the following steps:

1. Open the QB Tool Hub after closing all the QB-related processes.
2. Tap the Installation Issues option.
3. Choose to run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. 
4. Resolve all the errors and see if anything happens again.

You can also repair the QuickBooks app through the Control Panel as follows:

1. On your desktop, double-click the Control Panel icon. Alternatively, find it from the Start menu.
2. Tap programs and features in the control panel and select the Uninstall/ Change a program option. 
3. Choose QuickBooks Desktop and initiate the steps to repair the QB application. 
4. Follow the prompts and fix the app completely. 

Hopefully, you won’t see error 15103 QB Desktop again. 

Solution 9: Launch the QuickBooks Reboot.bat file as a Windows Admin

Get admin rights and run the reboot.bat file as follows:

1. Locate the QuickBooks Desktop icon and right-click it. Then, choose the Properties option. Now, hit Open File Location. 
2. In the search menu, type reboot or reboot.bat and press Enter. Next, right-click this file and opt for the Run as administrator option. 
3. Tap Yes and start the PC again to run QuickBooks and see the status of the error code. 

Solution 10: Add QuickBooks as a Trusted Site

Incorrectly configured Internet Explorer can bring forth error 15103 QuickBooks. Change these settings as follows:

1. Opt for Internet Explorer on the desktop and head to the Gear icon.
2. Select Internet options.
3. Access the security tab, followed by trusted sites and Sites.
4. Now, add the following websites to the trusted sites list:
   – QuickBooks.com/ ca 
   – Intuit.com/ ca (ca is for Canada)
5. After making these changes, tap the close button.
6. Select the Apply option, followed by OK, and see if the error persists. 

Solution 11: Disable the User Account Control temporarily

If you wish to rectify the QuickBooks error 15103, you need to disable the User Account Control settings. Restoring the security settings will also help fix the error. Do so as follows:

• Visit the Start menu and type UAC in the search field.
• Tap the Modify User Account Control Settings option on the screen. 
• Move the slider to Never Notify in the following window.
• Tap OK and reboot your device. 

Hopefully, error 15103 will get resolved in QuickBooks Desktop after implementing these solutions. If not, contact technical support.

Concluding….

Our QuickBooks Experts have listed the five tried and tested solutions, and we hope the article served its purpose of fixing QuickBooks Error 15103. If you have followed the steps thoroughly, you must not be facing an update error with QuickBooks or Payroll. If the error persists, it is wise to let experts handle it; dial the toll-free number +1-(855)-542-9309. From there on, let the experts protect your data and get your application back on track.

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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.