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Fix QuickBooks Error 12009 – Step-by-step guide!

QuickBooks error 12009 is the issue many users encounter while performing payroll in the program. QuickBooks is one of the powerful but heavy applications, serving bookkeeping and accounting purposes in the business for a considerable number of decades. An important feature of the application is the payroll service. It enables the organization to sustain an open pay structure among employees.

QuickBooks Error 12009 is an error that occurs when the user attempts to open QB after updating the latest payroll update. It is infuriating for many users that such an error can occur while doing a routine software task, which is updating it. If the internet connection breaks off suddenly, it might result in an interrupted and glitchy installation of the update and the error. As a result of the above, users were not able to complete any work because QB may start responding strangely. If you have encountered this problem, let’s gain greater insight into the blog below.

Among all these reasons, network timeout seems to be one of them, where QuickBooks is unable to access the server. Interventions related to internet connection breaks may also be probable causes related to internet security or firewall settings.

External Causes

  • Internet security is one of the significant external causes, and firewalls are blocking QuickBooks from reaching the server.
  • Sometimes, it is caused by downloading the QuickBooks payroll update.
  • You may also face these problems if your default browser is not Internet Explorer.
  • If your SSL setting is wrong, you will face trouble again.
  • Lastly, these mistakes appear when your internet plan is depleted, or QuickBooks fails to recognize your internet connection.

Internal Causes

  • Sometimes, QuickBooks software will not start or connect to the internet automatically. This is the most critical cause of failure or response that results in errors as internal causes.
  • If a connection issue occurs, you can experience this error.
  • The problem may arise if the server is blocked.
  • This can also occur because Windows has not been updated recently.

What are the ways to fix QuickBooks Payroll Error 12009 when updating?

Resolve QuickBooks Update error 12009 when downloading payroll or QuickBooks Desktop updates.

Sometimes, it may get QuickBooks Desktop to not connect to the Internet and consequently fail to update. That could be because an Internet browser or security setting is incorrect, or the updating process is prevented by an application like an anti-virus or firewall. So, go through the following solution to rectify this.

QuickBooks connects to the Internet through Internet Explorer. It should be your default browser. Give it a try on other websites and see if they work.

  • Download and Run TLS 1.2 Utility.
  • Confirm that you can open secured sites outside the company file in QuickBooks Desktop, like your bank’s sign-in page.

Note: If you are unable to access a secure site from outside QuickBooks, contact a computer or IT professional.

Internet Explorer settings can be another reason for download problems sometimes. To check your Internet Explorer settings: 

  • Shut down QuickBooks Desktop, open Internet Explorer
  • Under the Tools menu, select Internet Options.
    Note: If you do not find Tools, use your Alt key on your keyboard
  • Go to the Security tab and select the Globe icon while making sure the security level is set at no higher than medium-high.
  • Then, In the Connections tab, select Never Dial a Connection if you don’t use the dial-up node (DUN) on your system, or select the applicable ISP if you do
  • Select OK.
  • Select LAN Settings. Check that automatically detect settings are selected and that the Use a Proxy Server check box is selected.
    • If Use a Proxy Server is selected, record the full address and port.
    • If the port is other than port 80, you should leave the Use a Proxy Server box unchecked.
    • If the port is port 80, you can leave it unchecked for testing purposes
  • Click OK
  • Go to the Advanced tab and select Restore Advanced Settings. Then, under Settings, find Use TLS 1.2 and make sure that it is checked. (This setting may not be in your Internet Explorer version.)
  • Click OK
  • Now, restart your computer.

You can reopen your QuickBooks Desktop now and attempt to update.

If the above steps do not solve the problem, determine if another program’s process is interfering with the download. If you cannot identify which security software is causing the problem, refer this to a computer or IT professional.

Configuring Internet security, personal firewall, and parental control software for the following: QuickBooks Desktop updates, tax table updates, sending payroll data, and Windows firewall.

If this step has not been successful, try to boot Microsoft Windows in safe mode with networking and download this update again.

The firewall might interrupt QB tasks, and hence, it is important that you change the settings to suit QB’s needs. This is how – 

  1. Press the Windows and R keys together on the keyboard to open the Run window.
  2. Search for Windows Firewall and click OK.
  3. In the opened window, click on the left menu Advanced Settings.
  4. Click Inbound Rules and right-click it. In the opened menu, select New Rule.
  5. Click the Port button and then click Next. You should confirm that TCP is selected by default on this page.
  6. In the Specific local ports field, input the port numbers of the QuickBooks version that you are currently using. If you have more than one version installed, you will have to apply the steps for all of them –
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later: 8019, XXXXX.
    • Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
    • Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377.
  1. Click Next and select Allow the Connection.
  2. Click Next again, and this will prompt the application to request the profiles you have selected. All of those should be selected.
  3. Click Next and create the QBPorts (year) rule.
  4. Click Finish and repeat the process to create an Outbound Rule as well.
  5. Open QuickBooks and your file.

If any of the given solutions doesn’t work, then go with the following:

  • Restart your computer, reset the QuickBooks updates, and then download the QuickBooks update, but make sure the company file should be in single-user mode.
  • Reinstall QuickBooks in Selective Startup.

This blog deals with QuickBooks Error 12009. The very point of describing the causes of the error and troubleshooting in that respect is to let you alone resolve the error on your end. But there are cases where error persists without being soft. Under this condition, it will be good if you seek service from a professional for this purpose. Dial 1-855-542-9309 is now available 24/7.

What is QuickBooks error 12009?

QuickBooks Error Code 12009 is often caused by connectivity issues, so make sure you have a stable internet connection. To solve it, restart your modem/router and check if other devices are experiencing connectivity problems.

What are QuickBooks 12XXX series errors?

QuickBooks 12XXX series errors are a group of errors that can occur in QuickBooks accounting software due to issues with web connectivity or incorrect date and time settings.

How can I prevent QuickBooks Payroll Error 12009 in the future?

To prevent QuickBooks Desktop Error 12009, go with these steps:
– Make sure your internet is stable and powerful.
– Deactivate or correctly set proxy settings.
Update QuickBooks to have the latest version.
– Allow QuickBooks access to your firewall and antivirus.