QuickBooks Update Stuck or Not Working? Here’s What to Do

Software updates often come with the latest security patches, features, bug fixes, improved performance, and more. Likewise, QuickBooks continuously releases the newest updates to ensure its users enjoy uninterrupted financial and accounting management.

However, some customers may see their QuickBooks update stuck as it takes significant time to install. This mainly happens because of limited permissions to run the update or because of Microsoft Defender or any antivirus software that scans the file and may block the processes.

The update may stuck with a possible error code and warning messages on your screen. This blog lists these errors and the messages you can encounter on your screen with the possible reasons and troubleshooting solutions. Let’s get started with this comprehensive guide.

Why Does QuickBooks Update Get Stuck?

Often, users fail to receive updates due to inactive internet connection or lack of permissions. However, there can be other reasons that can interrupt the process as well. Let’s get familiar with them one by one:

• Not having proper administrator rights while receiving updates
• Incorrect date and time of your system
• Windows operating system may not be up-to-date
• Several programs running in the background may be interfering with the update.
• QuickBooks installation may have gone wrong, or files may have been damaged.
• Unable to verify digital signature while updating QB
• Incorrect internet connection settings on your computer
• Windows Firewall or Microsoft Defender may be blocking the QB program
• Windows Defender antivirus protection considers QB a threat to your computer
• Damaged or corrupted QuickBooks installation

List of Possible Errors When QuickBooks Update Stuck

When QuickBooks update stuck, you may face an unknown error with a possible warning message on your screen.

These errors vary depending on the instance and the reason behind the failure to receive updates, such as not having the right permissions, using an outdated operating system, and others, as discussed earlier.

Now, let’s explore the list of these possible errors triggered when updating the program and other details:

Possible Errors	Description
QuickBooks Error 12XXX: QuickBooks Error 12215 QuickBooks Error 12045 QuickBooks Error 12157 QuickBooks Error 12038 QuickBooks Error 12037 and more.	QuickBooks error 12XXX 12000 is a series of errors that appear on your screen while updating QB with a warning message, “Error 12XXX: A network timeout that is preventing QuickBooks from accessing the server.”
QuickBooks Error 15XXX: QuickBooks Error 15102 QuickBooks Error 15103 QuickBooks Error 15104 QuickBooks Error 15105 QuickBooks Error 15212 and more.	You may encounter QuickBooks error 15XXX when updating QuickBooks Desktop or downloading the latest tax table. The 15XXX series vary greatly; choose the one you experience and check the referenced article.
QuickBooks Error 1603	You may see QuickBooks error 1603 when installing a QB update or opening it after the update, with a warning message saying “Error 1603. The update installer has encountered an internal error.”
QuickBooks Update slows at writing system registry values	For some customers, QuickBooks release updates may seem stuck as they take a long time to install. This is mainly due to Microsoft Defender, which displays a “System is writing registry values” message on your screen.

Fixing Problems When Updating QuickBooks in No Time

Is your QuickBooks update stuck with an unknown error and you are afraid of what to do? After finding out the possible problems and the error that appears on your screen, it is common to think of troubleshooting solutions.

In this section, we will discuss step-wise instructions that will help us fix the problems discussed above. Make sure you perform the fixes carefully and in the same order as mentioned.

1. Download the updates as an administrator

Not having administrator permissions to make the necessary changes to your computer when updating QuickBooks often results in a potential update error.

Try running the update with full administrator rights by following the steps below:

• Close your company file and then your QuickBooks program.
• Find the QuickBooks Desktop icon and right-click on it.
• Choose Run as Administrator.

• Select Yes on the UAC prompt that says, “Do you want to allow this program to make changes to your computer?“
• Now, try again to download the latest QuickBooks Desktop updates.

2. Check the system date and time on the computer

When the system date and time are not synchronized or configured properly, you may fail to update QuickBooks Desktop. Let’s correct your system date and time:

• Right-click on the clock in the bottom right of your desktop.
• Choose Adjust Date/Time from the drop-down.
• Select Change date and time and correct the system date and time.

• Click OK twice.
• Close QuickBooks Desktop and then reopen it.
• Once done, try again running the QuickBooks Desktop update.

3. Update Windows

It is important to have a compatible Windows version on your computer to run QuickBooks update or other processes successfully. Otherwise, you may experience QuickBooks update stuck or other possible errors.

• Open the Windows Start menu.
• Search for Settings and hit Enter on your keyboard.
• Go to Update & Security, then choose Windows Update from the left pane.
• Click on Check for updates.

• If the updates are available, select Download & Install.
• Once done, restart your computer.
• Now, try again to update QuickBooks Desktop.

4. Repair your QuickBooks Desktop

Is your QuickBooks program damaged, or did something go wrong during installation? The QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool will identify the program and quickly diagnose it.

Running Quick Fix my Program will help you get the best out of the Install Diagnostic utility and close processes running in the background.

a. Get QuickBooks Tool Hub

• Exit QB Desktop.
• Visit the Intuit’s official site and download he most recent version of QuickBooks Tool Hub (1.6.0.8). Save the downloaded file somewhere you can easily access it like your Windows desktop.

Note: If you already have Tool Hub, check the version you use on the Home page.

• Locate the recently downloaded file QuickBooksToolHub.exe.
• Double-click on the file and follow the instructions displayed on your screen to start the installation.
• Agree with the program’s terms and conditions.

Note: if you can’t see the icon, manually search for it in Windows and select QuickBooks Tool Hub.

b. Run Quick Fix my Program

The Quick Fix my Program will shut down any processes running in the system background hampering your QuickBooks update. Here’s to run the tool:

• Select Program Problems in QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• Hit on Quick Fix my Program.

• Once done, open your QuickBooks then your company file.
• Now, try again to get the latest QuickBooks updates.

c. Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool

If a QuickBooks installation is faulty or goes wrong, problems may occur when using or updating it. Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to fix common problems and ensure seamless updates.

• Launch QuickBooks Tool Hub and click on Installation Issues.
• Hit the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool button. The tool might take up to 20 minutes so let it run.

• When it finishes, restart your computer and launch QuickBooks Desktop, then open the company file.
• Now, try again to update the program ensuing the most recent fixes and security update.

5. Install a digital signature certificate

Install a digital signature certificate for QuickBooks Desktop if your program is unable to verify it:

• Navigate to C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks.
• Right-click on the QuickBooks program file QBW32.exe.
• Then, select Properties.
• Choose Digital Signature and ensure Intuit is selected in the signature list.
• Tap on Details.
• In the prompted Digital Signature Details window, select View certificate.
• In the prompted window, click Install Certificate.
• Choose Next until finish is displayed on your screen.
• Then, select Finish.
• Now, restart your computer and try again to update QuickBooks.

Read More- QuickBooks Internet Connection Error Read Error [Fixed]

5. Check your internet connection settings

Incorrect internet connectivity settings can the reason why you fail to download the QuickBooks update. Launch a web browser and checkout the Chase banking to test if the internet connection is secure.

If you fail to open the Chase banking page, you won’t be able to download the updates and you must connect with your ISP for help.

If you can view the Chase banking website, launch QuickBooks and proceed with the following steps:

• In QuickBooks, navigate to Help at the top.
• Select Internet Connection Setup.
• Hit on Use my computer’s Internet connection settings to establish a connection when this application accesses the Internet.
• Click Next.
• Choose Advanced Connection Settings.
• Move to the Advanced tab and select Restore Advanced Settings.
• Now, tap OK and Done.
• Finally, try again to download the QuickBooks updates again.

Key points to remember: Download accelerators can hamper the download process. Before attempting to get the updates, ensure to turn off the download accelerator on your system. For more information, connect with your ISP. If dial-up connection is enabled on your computer, ensure the minimum connection speed is 28.8 kilobits per second (Kb/s). If you are using America Online (AOL), log on to AOL using the primary login name if possible, and also ensure that parental control settings are disabled. For more information, you must talk to a QuickBooks professional.

6. Configure the Windows Firewall security settings

As a Windows security application, Windows Firewall often blocks programs on your computer that are considered a threat to your computer. Incorrect settings of the application can block QuickBooks or other security-running software, thereby hindering QuickBooks updates.

You should configure the Windows Firewall settings for QuickBooks and ensure that you can run program services or updates without any problems.

7. Create a Microsoft Defender exclusion of QuickBooks files

To ensure Microsoft Defender isn’t blocking the QuickBooks files, QuickBooks Tool Hub has introduced a new feature to create an exclusion for specific QB files. By adding these files to the exclusion list, QuickBooks Microsoft Defender will no longer scan or block these files during the update or installation. Proceed with the below steps to do so:

Note: Make sure you are signed in to Windows as an administrator before adding files as exclusions. If you are not an administrator, click the Add Defender exclusion option, which will be grayed out, and you will need administrator permission to add exclusions.

• Stop the update by clicking Cancel.
• Exit QuickBooks Desktop.
• Launch the QuickBooks Tool Hub application.
• Go to the Installation Issues menu.
• Click on Add Defender Exclusion.
• Reboot your computer.
• Open your QuickBooks Desktop and start the update again.

8. Turn off Windows Defender antivirus protection

Windows Defender Antivirus protection scans your files and detects any threats or potential viruses that may harm your data or computer. Due to incorrectly configured settings, the program might be blocking your QuickBooks files. Therefore, you need to temporarily disable the protection and update QuickBooks Desktop.

• Launch the Windows Start menu on your computer.
• In the search bar, type Settings and hit Enter.
• Go to Update & Security.
• Select Windows Security from the left pane.
• Tap on Virus & threat protection under Windows Security.
• Under Virus & threat protection settings, tap on Manage settings
• Move the switch to the off position to disable the Real-time protection.
• Once done, make sure that Windows Defender Antivirus protection is re-enabled.

9. Re-install QuickBooks in Selective Startup

If your QuickBooks program is damaged or corrupted or something went wrong during installation, you must reinstall QuickBooks Desktop. Follow the steps below to remove and reinstall the program:

Before getting started

• Create a QuickBooks company file backup
• Keep the QuickBooks Desktop product and license info noted somewhere you easily remember.

Step 1: Switch to Selective startup

Selective Startup mode lets you choose the processes to load during startup. This ensures that there are no other programs running in the background that may interfere with the QuickBooks installation. Here’s how to switch your system to selective startup and reinstall QuickBooks Desktop:

• Launch the Run command.
• Type msconfig, then click OK.
• Go to the General tab and select Selective startup and Load system services.
• In the Services tab, select the Hide all Microsoft Services checkbox.
• Click on Disable all.

• Now, clear the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
• From the list of services, select Windows Installer.
• Click OK.
• Hit on Restart in the System Configuration window.

Step 2: Uninstall and re-install QuickBooks

Before starting with the re-installation of QuickBooks Desktop, get the installer of the same version as your QuickBooks and keep the product and license number handy.

a. Remove QuickBooks

• Launch the Windows Start menu and search for Control Panel.
• Hit the Enter key to open Control Panel.
• Tap on Programs and Features or either click Uninstall a Program.
• Now, choose the QuickBooks Desktop version you want to remove and click on Uninstall/Change, Remove and then Next. If you don’t see the option, sign out and then sign in as admin, then try again to uninstall.

b. Install QuickBooks Again

• Keep your computer connected to a strong internet connection.
• Locate the QB program file QuickBooks.exe.
• Choose – Express install – This will install QuickBooks over your old version and save all of your preferences. To access your prior version, you will need to reinstall it using custom install. – Custom and Network Options – This enables you to maintain older versions installed while installing the current version in a different location. The new version does not incorporate your choices from the previous version.
• Hit on Next.
• Choose Install.
• Once done, select Open QuickBooks.

Step 3: Switch back to Normal Startup

• Press Windows+R on your keyboard to open the Run command.
• In the run prompt, type msconfig, then select OK.
• Select Normal startup in the General tab.
• Click OK.
• Finally, click Restart in the System Configuration window.

Summary

Updating your QuickBooks Desktop is essential to ensure seamless performance and seamless financial management.

Although running these updates is quite convenient, and you can even automate them, sometimes users may experience QuickBooks update getting stuck, making the process even more difficult. The above article has all the information you need to fix such problems.

If you find it challenging to follow the guide or get stuck somewhere, it is advisable to seek help from the professionals. Dial +1-866-409-5111 now to speak to a QB ProAdvisor!