Imagine the scenario when you are updating the QuickBooks Desktop and suddenly an error pops up and shows ‘QuickBooks update error 12057: A security certificate cannot be validated.’ This QuickBooks error 12057 is an update error that mostly happens when you are downloading any software update or payroll update. The cause of this error can include bad network connectivity, firewall issues, mismatches in SSL certificates, etc. Fixing the error is highly important, as you cannot proceed to the installation without resolving the error. For this help, we are here to give you the best assistance and information related to resolving QuickBooks errors.
The solutions to resolve QuickBooks error 12057 are quite easy, simple, and time-efficient. You can try fixing the QuickBooks erro on your own. If you are still stuck in the QB error 12057 loop, you can get your queries resolved with the help of an IT professional. You can reach out to the advisors using the toll-free 1.855.542.9309 number, and all your concerns will be addressed instantly!
Table of Contents
What are the Causes of QuickBooks Error 12057?
Understanding the right causes becomes important in the resolution of the error. You must know what caused it before you know how to resolve it. Here are the possible reasons for the QuickBooks error code 12057:
- Internet connection issues with your desktop can cause QuickBooks connectivity error 12057.
- Sometimes, your firewall and antivirus settings can interfere with QuickBooks’ communication with the server, which can cause this issue.
- Any discrepancies or mismatches in SSL settings can easily trigger error 12057 in QuickBooks.
- An outdated version of QuickBooks/Windows can easily interrupt the payroll process, triggering error 12057.
- QuickBooks Desktop uses your default browser to connect to the Internet backstage. Issues such as incorrect proxy configurations, proxy settings, or TLS settings can cause QuickBooks error 12057.
These are the possible causes of the QuickBooks error 12057. However, this is just an overview, and there can be more reasons as well.
Troubleshooting Methods to Fix QuickBooks Error 12057
You only need a stable internet connection to download and run the QuickBooks desktop. If you are not on a stable internet connection, it may cause error 12057. Here are some of the quick troubleshooting methods to fix the QuickBooks error 12057 in simple steps.
- Testing Internet Connection and Settings
- Checking Internet Explorer’s Settings
- Manually Configuring the Firewall Settings on your System
- Reinstalling QuickBooks in Selective Startup Mode
- Correcting the PC’s Date and Time
- Accessing the PC as an Admin to Fix QuickBooks Error 12057
- Using Safe Mode to Update QuickBooks
These are some of the solutions to resolve QuickBooks error code 12057. These errors are generally caused by internet connectivity settings.
Solution 1: Testing Internet Connectivity and Settings
QuickBooks may show error code 12057 while downloading updates if your internet connection is unstable. To resolve this problem, you need to take the following actions:
- To enable secure internet connectivity for QuickBooks, run the TLS 1.2 Utility.
- Verify your connection to the internet. To ensure your connection is reliable, open a few secure websites in your browser.
- Try rebooting your router or examining your firewall settings if the issue continues.
A security mechanism TLS 1.2 protects data shared over the internet. You can use the TLS 1.2 Readiness Tool included in the QuickBooks Tool Hub to enable TLS 1.2 for QuickBooks. This guarantees that your system meets the necessary security requirements.
Downloading and Installing QB Tool Hub
You must install QuickBooks Tool Hub on your Windows 10 (64-bit) computer before using the TLS 1.2 Readiness Tool. You can follow these easy steps:
- Before you start, close QuickBooks Desktop.
- Now, You can download QuickBooks Tool Hub from the official website.
- Download to a location you can remember (like the Desktop or the Downloads folder), and save the file.
If you already have QuickBooks Tool Hub set up on your computer, you want to check to make sure it is the most recent version. Click the Home tab at the bottom. Below are the steps you need to follow to open the QB tool hub:
- Launch the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file that you downloaded.
- To finish the installation, adhere to the on-screen directions and agree to the agreements.
- Launch the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- On your desktop, double-click the Tool Hub icon.
If you are not able to find the icon, you need to search for tool hub in the Windows search field and then select the program. If this does not fix the QuickBooks error 12057, you can try the next solutions mentioned.
Solution 2: Checking Internet Explorer’s Settings
QuickBooks uses Internet Explorer to access the internet. Any discrepancy can easily trigger error 12057 in QuickBooks. So, you must review the settings and make the necessary changes wherever applicable to avoid the possibility of error 15027 in QB:
- You need to open the browser on your computer.
- Then, you need to click on the Tools option, followed by the Internet option. If it is not there, you need to present the Alt key there.
- In the Internet Options window, you need to go to the Security tab. Here, you must select the Globe icon and set the security level to medium-high. Leave it undisturbed if the settings are already the same.
- Now, you need to go on the Connections tab and choose the Nevel Dial a Connection if you do not if you don’t use the dial-up node (DUN). You need to choose the correct ISP if you use DUN and click OK.
- After this step, you need to review the LAN settings. You need to check the Automatically Detect Setting checkbox and check if the Use a Proxy Server Checkbox is unticked.
- Do not uncheck the Use Proxy Server box if you find any port other than 80.
- If it is 80, you can clear the tickbox.
- If you have followed all the above steps, click OK to proceed.
- Now, you need to proceed to the Advanced tab and click the Restore Advanced Settings and check the Use TLS 1.2 under Settings and review its selection once again.
Finally, you can click OK, close the browser, and restart your computer. Now, you can open the QuickBooks desktop and try to update the application again. If the error is still there, proceed to the next solution.
Solution 3: Manually Configuring the Firewall Settings
Here, you need to add a firewall port exception for QuickBooks Desktop. Sometimes, the firewall interferes and blocks communication between the computers. Here are the steps that you have to follow:
- You need to click on the Start button, type Windows Firewall in the search bar, and open it from the results.
- Here, you need to click the advanced settings option and right-click the rules mentioned below.
- Now, you need to select the New Rule option, followed by selecting the Port and Next options, and make sure the TCP option is selected.
- Here, you need to enter the specific ports as needed for your QB version.
After making the right changes and setting the correct settings, you can try to download the QB updates, and if you still face the error, you can read the further solutions.
Solution 4: Reinstalling QuickBooks in Selective Startup Mode
You can switch to the selective startup mode if nothing has worked out. Basically, there are two steps to switch the system to the selective startup mode.
- Switching the System to the Selective Startup Mode
- Uninstalling and Reinstalling QuickBooks Desktop
Let’s now discuss these steps in detail.
Step 1: Switch the System to the Selective Startup Mode
The benefit of switching the system to the selective startup mode is that it will make sure that no other application is running in the background. It will give full bandwidth and throttle to QuickBooks to function. The step to switch the system to the selective startup mode
- You need to press the Windows + R keys on the keyboard to get the Run command window on the screen.
- Now, you need to enter the command msconfig and click the OK button.
- Then, you need to move to the General tab and choose the Selective Startup option followed by the Load System Services option.
- Then, visit the Services tab, select the Hide all Microsoft Services option, and then Disable all.
- Finally, you need to uncheck the Hide all Microsoft services tickbox, choose the Windows Installer option from the list of services, and click OK.
Lastly, on the system configuration window, you need to restart your computer. Now, you can proceed to the second step for troubleshooting.
Step 2: Uninstalling and Reinstalling QuickBooks Again
Next is uninstalling the QuickBooks application from the system and installing it again. Now you can boot your PC in the Normal Startup Mode.
- You need to open Windows+R to open run and command button.
- Then, in the run command window, you need to type msconfig and click OK.
- Now, you need to go to the General tab and click the Normal Startup option.
- Hit OK, and then restart the system from the System Configuration window.
If this works for you, it is well and good; else, you can try further options to resolve the QuickBooks error 12057.
Solution 5: Correcting Your PC’s Date and Time
QuickBooks will always struggle to function if the date and time on your system are incorrect. It can restrict the update and trigger error 12057 in QuickBooks. Here are the steps to fix the date and time on your PC:
- Close all QuickBooks applications running in the background.
- Now, you need to open ‘Control Panel’ and then click ‘Clock and Region’.
- Finally, you need to click date and time and make the required changes.
Did this solution work? If not, then you can move to the next solution.
Solution 6: Accessing the PC as an Admin to Fix QuickBooks Error 12057
QuickBooks need some admin permissions for certain tasks to execute. If QuickBooks won’t have the required permissions, then it cannot work properly. Here are the steps to accessing the PC as an admin:
- You need to start the process by heading to the user accounts section within the control panel.
- Then you must verify that the user logged in has all the necessary rights/permissions.
- If these have not been granted yet, you must provide all the necessary admin permissions.
Now, click on Run as admin and then move on to update QuickBooks Desktop. In case your QuickBooks error 12057 still does not get fixed, you can move on to the next fix.
Solution 7: Using Safe Mode to Update QuickBooks
Now comes the last step. If none of the solutions work for you, then you need to select the safe mode with the networking option and click on the enter key. Here are the steps to use safe mode to update QuickBooks:
- The first step involves rebooting the system.
- You can also press the F8 key to open the advanced boot option on the screen.
- Now, you need to select the safe mode with the networking option and click on the enter key.
- Now, open the desktop and try updating the QuickBooks program.
- Then, you need to click on update new tab,
- Here, you need to check the box for reset update to clear the previous update download.
- Lastly, you need to close and update the QuickBooks to the current version.
Finally, you need to check for the error again. These quick solutions will help you to understand and troubleshoot the problem by yourself.
Wrapping It Up!
Here are a few simple steps you can implement to resolve QuickBooks Error 12057. You can follow these steps on your own without any hassle. The following procedures should resolve error 12057 with ease, whatever the case may be. All users need to do is check whether their internet connection is stable and fully functional. This will ensure QuickBooks operates seamlessly. However, if you happen to still be having problems, reach out to our help desk through 1-855-542-9309.
Related Articles :-
Fix QuickBooks Error 12009 – Step-by-step guide!
Fix QuickBooks Error 12029 with this Definitive Guide
QuickBooks error 12002 – Main Reasons and Quick Solutions
How to Fix QuickBooks Error 12152 – Internet Connectivity Issue
Resolve QuickBooks Error 12007 Now Before It’s Too Late!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is error 12057 in QuickBooks desktop?
QuickBooks Error 12057 is related to internet connectivity issues that generally happen while updating QuickBooks or while downloading the payroll updates. You need to have fast and stable internet connectivity to get rid of such network-related QuickBooks issues.
What are the causes of Error Code 12057 in QuickBooks?
Some causes of QuickBooks error code 12057 are internet connectivity issues, firewall/antivirus blocking QuickBooks, incorrect SSL settings, obsolete versions of QuickBooks, or even problems with the web browser.
How do I fix QuickBooks error 12057?
QuickBooks error 12057 can be fixed by verifying and improving internet connectivity and settings, checking the browser’s settings, configuring the firewall settings, or even by running QuickBooks in safe mode.

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.