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Resolve QuickBooks Error 15212: While Installing Payroll Updates

QuickBooks is not only appreciated by users for its features but also for the regular updates in the application that makes a user’s experience smooth. Consistent updates in the application ensure that errors are not so frequent and glitches do not hamper a user’s experience. But what if the update process gets infected by errors like QuickBooks Error 15212.

What is this error? What are its symptoms? How to fix it? Experts will answer all these questions in this extensive blog on QuickBooks Error 15212.

You can follow the steps given in this blog, or if you are not confident and tech-savvy, we recommend calling the support team on +1-(855)-856-0042.

Description: Error Message 15212 in QuickBooks

When a user tries downloading a payroll or QuickBooks application update, several QuickBooks error 15212 messages may pop up on the screen. Below are the various texts that may appear, which can help you know that what you see is linked to the update error.

  • “The payroll update did not complete successfully. Please try again.” You must successfully download the update by the deadline displayed in the Get Updates window.
  • “The QuickBooks update did not complete successfully.”
  • “The payroll update did not complete successfully. The location for the shared download is not accessible.”

100% Effective Solutions for the Update Error Code 15212 in QuickBooks

Before we jump onto the part where we discuss solutions to the update error 15212 in QuickBooks, we suggest you stay sure of performing the solutions manually since they involve QuickBooks and your whole system in general. That being said, let us look at what our experts say about QuickBooks Error 15212.

Solution 1: Uninstall and Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop

By following the process of uninstalling and then reinstalling the QuickBooks application, you can fix the constant occurrence of QuickBooks Error Code 15212. Before we list down the steps for you, here are a few things to remember:

Now follow the steps below to uninstall and then reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.

  • Click on the Windows Start icon, and in the search bar, type Control Panel.
  • Hit on the Enter button to open the Control Panel window.
  • Choose the Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program option.
  • Select your version of QuickBooks Desktop using the list of programs you want to uninstall.
  • Next to the program’s name, click on the Uninstall/Change option and then choose Remove.
  • Press the Next button.
  • If you cannot complete the uninstallation process, you might not be logged in as the admin. Do the needful to uninstall QuickBooks.
  • At last, reinstall the QuickBooks Desktop application.

Read Also: How to fix QuickBooks Error PS038

Solution 2: Rename the Installation Folders

After you have renamed the installation folders, you will ensure that the latest installation does not use old files by reinstalling QuickBooks. As a result, if the QuickBooks error 15212 lies with the old installation files, you can prevent the same. Follow the instruction provided by our experts to get rid of the error.

  • Follow the steps from the first solution to uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop application.
  • Now you will need to view the Hidden Items and follow the steps below for it:
    • Go to your Desktop or System Tray, and from the folder icon, open File Explorer.
    • Click on the View tab and choose Hidden Items.
  • Next, navigate to the Start menu and type File Explorer in the search bar. Hit the Enter key.
  • File Explorer window will open.
  • You must search for the folder that contains your QuickBooks company files. The files are generally located in your QuickBooks folder. You can look through the following locations to find the installation folder.
    • 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)
  • After finding the folder, right-click on it and choose the Rename option.
  • You do not have to do much here. Just add the suffix old to the folder name.
  • At last, reinstall the QuickBooks Desktop application.

What to do if you cannot rename the folders?

It is possible that when trying to rename the folder, you may face unwanted hurdles, and in such a situation, we suggested doing the following:

  • Go to the Windows Task Bar and right-click on it to select the Task Manager option.
  • Navigate to the Processes tab.
  • Sort the list with the help of the Name column header.
  • You must use End Process for the following tasks: QBDBMgrN.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBCFMonitorService.exe, Qbw32.exe.
  • On seeing the “WARNING: Terminating a process can cause undesired results…” message, hit on the Yes option.

Solution 3: Use your System’s Selective Startup Mode to Reinstall QuickBooks

Selective Startup Mode, as the name indicates, only allows specific processes to run. Hence, it can help fix update error 15212 in QuickBooks by restricting unwanted tasks in the background.

Before we list down the steps to accomplish the above, keep the following things in mind

  • You must have a recent backup of the company file and see that the backup file works.
  • Note down the QuickBooks Desktop product and license details and keep them handy.

Recommended to read : I am getting QuickBooks Error 15106

Now we will look at the steps to start the system in the Selective startup mode

  • First, use the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to launch the Run command program on your screen.
  • In the Run command program window, which will look like a notepad, type msconfig where you see the cursor.
  • Hit the Enter key or click on OK.
  • Go to the General tab and choose Selective startup and Load system services.
  • Now from the Services tab, you must click on the Hide all Microsoft Services option.
  • Press the Disable all button.
  • You will see the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox is marked. You must unmark this checkbox.
  • In addition, if the Windows Installer checkbox is not selected from the list of services, click on it.
  • Hit on the OK option.
  • At last, use the Restart button to reboot your system in the Selective Startup Mode.
  • Now that your system is in Selective Startup Mode, clean install the QuickBooks Desktop application.
  • After completing the installation of QuickBooks, now switch your operating system to the Normal configuration.
  • Use the Windows + R keys to access the Run command window.
  • Type msconfig and hit on OK.
  • From the General tab, choose the Normal startup option.
  • Press OK and then click on the Restart button.

What to do next?

We hope this detailed article has helped you resolve QuickBooks Error 15212 effortlessly, and you can get Payroll or QuickBooks updates without hindrance. Meanwhile, you can fix any error concerning QuickBooks by placing a call to the support team on +1-(855)-856-0042.

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