Guided Resolutions for the QuickBooks Error 557

The QuickBooks error 557 is a payroll error that can occur while you try to send your payroll or update your tax tables in the QB Desktop application. This generally occurs due to an expired or invalid payroll subscription and can hamper your workflow and important business processes. You can resolve it by resubscribing to the payroll service in the QB Desktop app. In this blog, we’ll cover the troubleshooting methods needed to fix the error 557 QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

Are you having issues sending payroll or updating your tax tables in QuickBooks Desktop? Contact our experts at 1-855-888-3080 today to resolve your issue in no time!

Potential Causes of the QuickBooks Error 557 After New Updates

Given in the list below are the potential factors that can trigger the QuickBooks Payroll error 557 to appear on your screen:

1. An invalid or expired payroll subscription
2. A damaged QB company file
3. A disabled QB File Copy Service
4. The Firewall is blocking your QB Desktop application
5. An unverifiable digital signature certificate
6. Program problems with the QBDT software
7. A missing file or component needed for the payroll to update

These were the causes of the error 557 in QuickBooks Desktop.

Signs of QuickBooks Error 557

Several users complain, “I am getting error code 557 in QuickBooks,” due to the following recognition symptoms appearing on the screen:

1. The error message, “QuickBooks has encountered a problem and needs to be closed. Sorry for the inconvenience,” is the primary sign of the error attacking the system.
2. You may experience programs running on Windows lagging in performance.
3. Degraded Windows OS performance might be experienced.
4. The hardware components like the mouse and keyboard might not garner any response.
5. A drop in internet connectivity may also be a symptom of this error.

Due to these consequences, effective and immediate troubleshooting solutions need to be implemented to resolve the problem. So, let’s dive into the troubleshooting solutions right away.

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Methods to Resolve the QuickBooks Payroll Error Code 557

Listed below are the troubleshooting methods you can use to patch the error 557 QuickBooks Desktop Payroll:

Reactivate Your QB Desktop Payroll Subscription

Follow the steps given below to reactivate your QB Desktop Payroll subscription in order to fix the QuickBooks error 557:

1. Sign in to your Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPs) page
2. Go to the Manage Your QuickBooks page
3. Choose the product or service you would like to manage
4. Select Payroll Subscription under the Products & Services
5. The status of the subscription can be seen under the blue toolbar
6. You should see Canceled as the status of your subscription
7. Click on Resubscribe under the status
8. Check that the fields in the Reactivate Subscription are correct
9. Press Save and Continue
10. Check the Subscription details and the billing info
11. Select Recativate
12. A pop-up message would appear telling your subscription has been reactivated
13. Select Got it!

This would resolve the QuickBooks Desktop Payroll error code 557.

Update the QB Desktop Application

You can update the QB Desktop application to patch the QuickBooks error code 557 with the following steps:

1. Open the QB Desktop app
2. Click on the Help menu
3. Click on the Update QuickBooks Desktop option
   
4. Select Update Now
5. Press Get Updates
6. Close and reopen the QBDT app to install the updates

This would fix the error you were trying to deal with.

Utilize the Quick Fix My Program Tool

The Quick Fix My Program tool can be used from the QB Tool Hub to mend the QuickBooks error message 557 with the steps given below:

1. Download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub
2. Open the QB Tool Hub app
   
3. Navigate to the Program Problems tab
4. Click on the Quick Fix My Program option
   
5. Let the tool run

Now, the QB error code 557 should be fixed.

Verify and Rebuild Your QB Company File

A damaged company file can be the reason you’re dealing with the QBDT error code 557. Verify and rebuild your company data with the following steps:

1. Open the QB Desktop app
2. Go to the File menu
3. Select Utilities
4. Click on Verify Data
   
5. Then, open the File menu again
6. Select Utilities
7. Click on the Rebuild Data option
   
8. QB will ask to make a backup file before rebuilding your data
9. Hit OK
10. A backup is required to rebuild your company data
11. Choose where the backup would be saved
12. Hit OK
13. Don’t replace an existing backup file
14. Enter a new name in the File name field
15. Hit Save
16. You would get the message stating Rebuild has completed
17. Press OK

Performing these steps would resolve the QuickBooks error 557.

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Verify the QB Payroll Service Key

You can check your QB Desktop Payroll service key in order to resolve the QuickBooks error code 557 with these steps:

1. Close all your company files
2. Restart your PC
3. Open the QB Desktop app
4. Navigate to the Employees menu
5. Click on My Payroll Service
   
6. Select Manage Service Key
7. These two fields should be displayed as Active:
   • Service Name
   • Status
8. Press Edit and check the service key number
9. If it’s incorrect, enter the correct service key number
10. Press Next
11. Unmark the Open Payroll Setup checkbox
12. Press Finish

Now, you should be able to update your payroll without any issues.

Make Firewall Exceptions for QB Desktop

If your Firewall is blocking the QB Desktop application, it can lead to you seeing the QuickBooks error 557 on your screen. Make Windows Firewall exceptions for the QBDT app to resolve this problem.

Identify & Toggle Stuck Paychecks in QBDT

You can identify and toggle the stuck paychecks in your QBDT Payroll to fix the QuickBooks error code 557 with the following steps:

1. Open the QB Desktop app
2. Navigate to the Edit menu
3. Click on Find
4. Select the Advanced option
5. Go to the Advanced tab
6. Then, move to the Choose Filter section
7. Click on Detail Level from the Filter list
8. Select Summary Only
9. Move back to the Filter list
10. Scroll down and select Online Status
11. Then, select Online to Send
12. Now, click on Find
13. You’ll see the paychecks that weren’t sent to Intuit
14. Open the oldest stuck paycheck
15. Click on the Paycheck Detail button
16. The Review Paycheck window would open
17. Go to Earnings and add the same earnings item as the last earnings item in the list
    • For example, if the last earnings item is Hourly Rate, add another item in the earnings list and name it Hourly Rate
18. A Net Pay Locked message would appear
19. Click on NO
20. Then, ensure that there are no changes to the tax amounts and net pay
21. Hit OK
22. Select Yes if you receive a Past Transaction message
23. Press Save & Close to the paycheck
24. Hit Yes on the warning message stating Recording Transaction
25. Open the paycheck again
26. Press the Paycheck Details button
27. Delete the earnings item you just added in the Earnings section
28. Ensure that the net pay and tax amounts don’t change
29. Press OK
30. Repeat the steps for each stuck paycheck

This would fix the QB error code 557.

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Use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

You can use the QB Install Diagnostic Tool from the QB Tool Hub to resolve the QuickBooks error 557 with the steps given to you below:

1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub app
2. Navigate to the Installation Issues tab
3. Click on the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
   
4. Let the tool run
5. It can take up to 20 minutes to finish working

This would resolve the payroll update error 557 in QB Desktop.

Update the Windows Permissions for QBDT

Inadequate Windows permissions for the QBDT program file can cause you to see the QuickBooks error message 557. Update the Windows permissions with the steps given below:

1. Open the File Explorer
2. Find your QuickBooks program file
3. It’s usually in this location:
   • 32-bit C:\program files\intuit\quickbooks (year)
   • 64-bit C:\program files x86\intuit\quickbooks (year)
4. Right-click on the QBW32.exe file
5. Click on Properties
6. Navigate to the Security tab
7. Select Edit
8. Press Add 
9. Type Everyone in the window and hit OK
10. Then, go to the Security tab
11. Mark the Full Control checkbox
12. Press OK
13. Click on Add again
14. Type Users in the window and hit OK
15. Go to the Security tab
16. Mark the Full Control checkbox
17. Press OK
18. Lastly, press Apply and hit OK

Performing these steps should resolve the QB Desktop Payroll error 557.

Install a Digital Signature Certificate for QBDT

You can install a digital signature certificate for the QB Desktop application to resolve the QuickBooks Payroll Update error 557 with the steps given below:

1. Open the folder containing your QB program file
2. Usually found in this location:
   • 32-bit C:\program files\intuit\quickbooks (year)
   • 64-bit C:\program files x86\intuit\quickbooks (year)
3. Find the QBW32.exe file
4. Right-click on it
5. Select the Properties option
6. Go to the Digital Signatures tab
7. Select one of the entries in the Signature list field
8. Press Details
9. The Digital Signature Details window would open
10. Click on View Certificate
11. The Certificate window would open
12. Navigate to the General tab
13. Click on the Install Certificate option
14. Ensure that the Store Location is on the Current User in the Certificate Import Wizard welcome screen
15. Press Next
16. Select Next again
17. Finally, hit Finish

Now, the QuickBooks error message 557 should be fixed.

QuickBooks Error 557 – A Quick View Table

Given in the table below is a concise summary of this blog on the topic of the QuickBooks error code 557:

Conclusion

The QuickBooks error 557 is a payroll update error that can occur when you try to update your QB Desktop Payroll and tax tables. We have covered the potential factors that can be behind the QuickBooks Payroll error code 557, along with the troubleshooting methods needed to resolve it in this blog. If you are somehow facing the same problem and are unable to update your payroll, contact our experts at 1-855-888-3080 today to resolve your problem in no time!

FAQs

Read more payroll-related articles:

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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.