What is QuickBooks Error 30154 and How to fix it?

Users who attempt to access or activate QuickBooks Desktop Workforce might experience the payroll-related error named QuickBooks error 30154. The Workforce app is essential for tracking and managing payroll, and problems while activating it can prevent various operations, like sending employee pay stubs. This error can occur if the Workforce app is outdated or your payroll service is inactive. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to tackle this error and help you use QuickBooks and the Workforce app seamlessly. 

The solutions below will help you eliminate error code 30154, but if you aren’t tech-savvy enough to understand them or need expert opinion, you can contact our support team at 1-(855)-542-9309 to get prompt assistance in resolving the error. 

List of Significant Factors Causing QuickBooks Error Code 30154 

The first step to troubleshooting this error is to find out the underlying triggers that might evoke it. Below, we have provided a list of the main reasons responsible for QuickBooks error 30154 – 

1. The login information, including the password credentials, for QB Workforce might be incorrect or outdated.
2. Your QuickBooks Workforce app might not be correctly installed or lacks important updates and improvements.
3. The network connection might be weak, unreliable, or unstable, which can cause problems while activating QuickBooks Workforce.
4. The PC’s date and time settings might be incorrect, which can be another reason for login issues in QB Workforce.
5. If your payroll service status is inactive or expired, the lack of an active subscription can cause this issue.
6. An incorrect or outdated service key in QuickBooks payroll can trigger the 30154 error code. 
7. Your current EIN might be facing some issues that can hinder the workforce activation process.

Effective Solutions to Eliminate QuickBooks Desktop Error 30154

Let’s explore the correction procedures for the 30154 code after understanding its root causes according to the step-by-step guidelines in the solutions below –

Solution 1 – Ensure Correct Login Information 

Since this error mostly occurs while activating the QuickBooks Workforce account, you must ensure the login info is correct. Check if the password is small or capital letters, and if the login problem persists, you must edit the login info or reset your password.

Once done, try activating QuickBooks Workforce again, but if QuickBooks error 30154 persists, follow the next solution. 

Solution 2 – Download QuickBooks Desktop and Workforce Updates 

Start by installing the most recent QuickBooks Desktop updates before continuing with the Workforce app update procedures – 

App Store 

• Open the App Store, select your profile icon, and choose QuickBooks Workforce from the app list.
• Further, select Update and click Open after the Workforce app update is installed.

Google Play Store 

• Open the Google Play Store, select your profile icon, then click Manage apps and devices and move to the Overview tab. 
• Select Updates available, click Update next to the Workforce app, and let the update process complete.

After the Workforce app is updated, rerun it and check if the login and activation issues are resolved. 

Solution 3 – Review Your Network Connection 

The quality of internet connection plays a crucial role in making QB Workforce usable. Using a dependable network connection with security software set to allow internet access to QuickBooks helps prevent the occurrence of error message 30154.

Solution 4 – Check Your System’s Date and Time Setup 

Another method to fix this error is to ensure the date and time are correctly set using the steps below – 

1. Go to the Settings menu of your Windows Start tab, select Time & Language, and click the Date & Time option.
2. Further, set the correct date & time as per the time zone, then save the changes and exit the window to rerun QB. 

If the activation issues persist while using the Workforce app, use the next solution to fix the error code. 

Solution 5 – Review Your QuickBooks’ Workforce Subscription 

The emergence of QuickBooks error 30154 can stem from subscription-related issues because of an invalid or unverified subscription. To fix this error, you must check the subscription status, and if it isn’t active, resubscribe using the detailed steps below – 

1. First, review your subscription status by signing into your QuickBooks Desktop company file as a Primary or Payroll Admin.
2. Then, select Employees, click Payroll Center, and select Subscription Status from the Payroll tab.
3. Click Manage My Account, then under the Product Information tab, you will see which payroll service you have subscribed for.
4. If QuickBooks Workforce isn’t subscribed, resubscribe to it using the steps below – 
   • Go to Employees in the QuickBooks Desktop Company File, select My Payroll Service, and click Account/Billing Info.
   • Sign in with your Intuit account login credentials, choose Resubscribe from the Status tab, and follow the onscreen prompts to reactivate the payroll service.

However, if QB error code 30154 persists even after an active subscription, follow the next resolution step. 

Solution 6 – Rename the Paysub.INI File 

The QuickBooks Paysub.ini file is a payroll activation file that contains essential subscription info; thus, damage in the file can cause issues while initializing the payroll service. To fix this scenario, you must repair the data damage by renaming the *.ini file using the steps below – 

1. Select My Computer, click Organize, then select the Folder and Search option and go to the View tab. 
2. Further, hit the Hidden Files and Folders option, select Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drivers, then click Apply and OK to save the settings. 
3. Return to the My Computer section and search for “Paysub,” then right-click the Paysub.ini file before selecting the Rename option.
4. Finally, add *.old at the end of the file name, and once all the Paysub.ini files are renamed, rerun QuickBooks and check the payroll function. 

If QuickBooks error 30154 continues to appear, follow the detailed instructions in the next solution to resolve it. 

Solution 7 – Edit the Payroll Service Key 

The use of an incorrect payroll service key by the user can prevent the payroll service and Workforce app from activating; follow the below instructions to review and edit the payroll service key –

1. Begin by closing all your company files, then restart your PC and launch the QuickBooks Desktop app.
2. Access the Employees menu, select My Payroll Service, click the Manage Service Key option, and review your Service Name.
   
3. Next, check the Service Status to confirm it is Active, then choose Edit to proceed and verify the payroll service key number.
4. If the service key is incorrect, you must fix it by entering the correct key, then click Next and unmark the Open Payroll setup box to end the process. 

Once the key number is changed, use the correct service key and try logging in to the Workforce payroll app. However, if error code 30154 in QuickBooks Desktop persists, follow the steps in the next resolution method. 

Solution 8 – Add a New EIN to the Company File

Sometimes, this error might appear in the form of an error message stating, “Error Code 30154 – EIN already has service active other than DIY”. To eliminate this error message, try adding a new EIN to your company file using the steps mentioned below – 

Step 1 – Edit your company’s legal name

The first step is to update the company’s legal name by following the instructions below – 

1. Go to the Company menu in QBDT, select My Company, click Edit, and select Legal information.
   
2. Now, enter the new legal business name, select OK to save the changes, and move to the next step to add a new EIN to the QB company file.

Step 2 – Update the Federal EIN

Once the company’s legal name is updated, the next process involves updating the federal EIN as follows – 

1. Open QuickBooks, move to the Company tab, click My Company, and access the Company Information section.
2. Further, click Edit, then from the left menu, select Company Identification and access the Federal Employer Identification No. Field.
3. Finally, enter the new EIN, select OK to confirm the action, and exit the process to rerun QuickBooks.

Now, try activating QuickBooks Workforce using the new EIN, but if QB error 30154 persists, follow the next troubleshooting solution. 

Alternate Solution – Email your Employee’s Paystubs

If none of these solutions work, you won’t be able to access the workforce. Till this error is resolved, an alternate way to access your employees’ paystubs is by emailing them, and you will be able to view them outside of the workforce.

1. Go to the File menu in QB, select Switch to Single-user Mode, then return to the File menu and select Print Forms. 
   
2. Further, select Pay Stubs, pick the Bank Account you use for payroll, and set the date range for the pay stubs you want to email.
3. Select the employees you want to email pay stubs to, then mark or remove the checkmark next to the employee’s name to exclude them, and click Preview. 
   Note: Don’t put parentheses or brackets in your employee’s last name; otherwise, the email won’t open.
4. Select Preview to review each pay stub before sending them and click Email; QuickBooks will automatically generate a password for each employee and email. 
5. Next, note down the passwords so you can give them to the recipients, select OK twice to confirm, and enter each employee’s email address one at a time.
6. Review the email from the Send Forms section and make the necessary adjustments to the To and From fields, subject line, and email body. 
7. Finally, select one of your email templates (optional), and when you’re ready, select Send Now.

The solutions in this article are recommended by experts to guide you through the troubleshooting process and fix QuickBooks error 30154. You can reach our specialists at 1-(855)-542-9309 for immediate help in eliminating the error code if the above procedures are not effective in resolving the issue.

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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.