Skip to content

How Do I Stop QuickBooks Error 1638 from Bothering Me?

Dealing with numbers can be quite tiresome. Businesses have to maintain a continuous streak of their financial exchanges regularly. QuickBooks is one of those applications that has blessed the lives of these accountants as it eases the hectic task of updating the monetary exchanges. This platform provides some of the best features and services to make the tenuous process a little bearable. However, users have reported various errors disrupting their working process, such as the QuickBooks error 1638, which generally arises when the user is trying to install another version of the QuickBooks application on the same machine.

If this is something you are also going through, then give a read to this blog and get an idea of the basis of this error and how you can eradicate it from the system. You may have a chat as well with our support team for some guidance by dialing 1-855-856-0042

Understanding the Error 1638 in QuickBooks

The error 1638 in QuickBooks arises when the user is installing a different version of the QuickBooks application on the same device. This brings up the error message, “An older version of this application is already installed on your device.” The message is quite clear. However, if the user continues to perform a similar task, this error message will prevent them from working properly on the application. If you are wondering what triggers this issue, go through our next column. 

Read Also – How To Resolve QuickBooks Error 6000 83

Causative Agents Evoking the QuickBooks Installation Error 1638

A list of some commonly reported causative factors evoking the QuickBooks installation error 1638 are:

  • The primary reason is an initial installation of the QuickBooks application on the same device, as discussed in the blog above. One device cannot store two versions of the same application.
  • The installation process wasn’t done with the correct procedure. The users are recommended to download the QuickBooks application by following a certain set of guidelines, which, if not followed, might lead to unexpected problems later.
  • Although antivirus software is an essential component of the Windows operating system, if the user doesn’t modify its settings, it will block third-party applications from accessing any information online. Like, it might interrupt when QuickBooks tries to access the company file, or the user tries to update the application.
  • Damage to the installation source will also lead to a faulty installation of the QuickBooks application. Users should always download the application from a safe site, Intuit. Downloading the application from an external source or untrusted website could bring in many infections, which can deteriorate the system’s performance.
  • Invasion of viruses on the hard drive from an external source or downloading files from an untrusted website leads to the complete collapse of the Windows operating system.

Methods to Undo the QuickBooks Installation Error 1638

Now that you have the idea of what evokes the QuickBooks installation error 1638, you may attempt these easy solutions to repair this.

Search for the Current QuickBooks Version

  • From the Run command, head over to the control panel and choose OK.
  • Select Programs and options. If the control panel in the Windows setting is in the category view, choose to Uninstall a Program.
  • Check the list of programs to ascertain if there’s a version of QuickBooks you’re making an attempt to put in. If it’s on the list, open the program.
  • Go to the Start Menu. Choose All Programs, then choose QuickBooks. Choose the right QuickBooks version.

Check the Restriction Policy

  • First, tap the Start icon and select Control Panel. Then tap Administrative Tools and select Local Protection Settings. So just select “Software Restriction Policies.”
  • If you are not software restricted, right-click the node with the specified program restriction rule.
  • Then head over to select the “New Software Restriction Policy.” From there, click twice during “Enforce.”
  • Here, select “All Customers Except Community Admins” and select OK. Then reboot the system.

Recommended To Read – Fix QuickBooks Error 6087 0

Use Quick Fix My Program Tool

  • We suggest getting the newest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub. Save the file somewhere you’ll easily find it, like your Downloads folder or Windows desktop.
    Note: If you have already got Tool Hub installed, you can check which version you’ve got. Beneath the Home tab, you can see the version within the bottom right or choose to view the version.
  • Open the downloaded file (QuickBooksToolHub.exe). Follow the on-screen directions to install and comply with the terms of use.
  • Launch the tool hub program to begin its function.
  • From the QuickBooks Tool hub, visit the “Programs Problem”  tab and choose “Quick Fix My Program tool.” 
  • The tool can verify the problem within the application in a couple of minutes and repair it.

Summing Up

We perceive how frustrating QuickBooks error 1638 is because it interferes with the general QuickBooks operations. However, if you go completely through our blog, you must develop an understanding of this error thoroughly. We tend to advocate attempting the above solutions to troubleshoot the matter. Dial 1-855-856-0042 if you would like an expert approach to the matter.

Frequently Asked Queries

With this section, we have tried to answer your FAQs associated with the error 1638 in QuickBooks.

Follow these steps to get the most recent version.

How Can I Get the Most Recent Version of the QuickBooks application?

1. Beneath the Help menu, select the Update QuickBooks Desktop option. Switch to the Update tab. 
2. Select Get Updates to start the download. After the download is complete, restart QuickBooks. Accept the option to install the new version once prompted.

How can I Find Out the Present Version of My QuickBooks Desktop?

Open QuickBooks Desktop and press F2 (or Ctrl+1). This will appear in the product information window. Check your current version and unleash QuickBooks. 

How Usually the QuickBooks Desktop Ought to be Updated?

There’s no schedule to update the QuickBooks desktop. The user ought to be attentive to the most recent releases of the application and keep checking the updates. We tend to recommend you install the most recent version of the application at the earliest to avert any sort of complications in the near future.