How to Fix QuickBooks Payroll Update Error 15243?

QuickBooks Error 15243 is the common error code of series 15XXX that generally arises when the user tries to update the payroll services to the latest release. These payroll services allow the business to file taxes, manage employee benefits, and pay salaries to employees. Error code 15243 usually occurs when the QuickBooks File Copy Service (FCS) is damaged or corrupted. 

Error code 15243 arises with a pop-up display message as: 

“QuickBooks Error Code 15243: QuickBooks fails to update the payroll to the latest release. The QuickBooks FCS service is corrupted or damaged.”

Factors Leading to QuickBooks Error 15243

Let’s discover the possible reasons a user may encounter the QuickBooks payroll update error 15243;

• The QuickBooks File Copy Service (FCS) is either damaged or missing from the system.
• QuickBooks payroll new updates have not been installed properly.
• Background active antivirus software is disabling the QuickBooks to access the downloaded file.
• Damaged or corrupted PC’s windows registry.
• A poor internet connection can also be a reason why the error code 15243 arises. 
• QuickBooks file is mistakenly deleted from the system.
• Using an inactive payroll subscription. 

Symptoms of QuickBooks Error 15243 (Payroll Update Error)

Check out the symptoms through which you can easily identify the QuickBooks payroll update error 15243;

Crucial Things to Do Before Troubleshooting Error Code 15243

Before you directly jump onto the solutions, let’s take a look at some of the important steps that we strongly suggest you follow;

(1) Creating a Backup of QuickBooks Company’s File

While troubleshooting, if any step goes beyond the desired results, then having a backup company’s file can help you prevent the loss of important data.

Below are the steps you can follow to create a backup of the QuickBooks company’s file.

• First of all, launch the QuickBooks desktop application on your PC. 
• Thereon, navigate to the “File” menu settings and click on the “Back Up Company” option.
• Moving ahead, you have to click on the “Create Local Backup” option.
• Now, keep following the on-screen instructions to complete the updating process.

(2) Update QuickBooks Desktop Application

Below are the steps you can execute to update the QuickBooks desktop application to the latest release version. 

• First, press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard and then double-click on the QuickBooks desktop application to open it. 
• Then, navigate to the “Help” menu settings and click on the “Update QuickBooks Desktop” option. 
• Now, the updates window will be open on your screen. Here, you have to click on the “Update Now” option. 
• Moving ahead, click on the “Get Updates” option. 
• Now, the updating process will commence on your screen. 
• A QuickBooks updating message will appear on the screen as the process ends.
• At last, click on the “Close” option. 

Also Read – QuickBooks Error 15222

Solutions to Resolve QuickBooks Payroll Update Error 15243

Let’s check out the solutions that you can follow to resolve the QuickBooks payroll update error 15243;

Solution 1. Add Intuit as a Trusted Website in Internet Explorer Settings

The first recommended solution that you can follow to eliminate QuickBooks payroll update error 15243 is adding Intuit as a trusted website in Internet Explorer. Here are the steps that you can follow to get the task done;

• Firstly, launch the Internet Explorer web browser on your device. 
• Click on the “Gear” icon and select the “Internet” option. 
• After that, switch to the “Security” tab and click on the “Trusted Sites” option. 
• Now, a trusted sites pop-up window will be open on your screen.
• Click on the address bar option here and provide the QuickBooks website URL in the insert fields. 
• For US, type “.Intuit.com” and “.quickbooks.com.”  For Canada, type “.quickbooks.ca” and “.inituit.ca.” 
• After providing the website details, click on the “Close” option.
• At last, end this process by clicking on the “Apply” option and “OK” option.

Once you have successfully added Intuit as a trusted website in the Internet Explorer settings, then verify if you can update the QuickBooks payroll services to the latest release or not. If the error still exists, then move to the second solution.

Solution 2. Turn On QuickBooks Desktop File Copy Service (FCS)

When the QuickBooks File Copy Service (FCS) is disabled, it can be one of the possible reasons due to why a user may face QuickBooks Payroll update error 15243. In that scenario, the error can be fixed by turning on the QuickBooks FCS.
 
Here are the steps that you can execute to enable QuickBooks File Copy Service;

• The first step is to open the windows run command on your PC and then type “COMPMGMT.MSC” in the search box.
• After that, click on the “OK” option and then the Computer Management Window will be open on your screen.
• You must click on the “Services and Applications” option.
• Moving ahead, click on the “Services” option. 
• After that, scroll down the services list and double-click on the “Intuit QuickBooks FCS” option. 
• Thereon, you have to click on the “Startup Type” option and then select the “Manual” option. 
• At last, click on the “Apply” and “OK” option. 

You have successfully enabled the QuickBooks Desktop File Copy Service (FCS) by performing the steps mentioned above. Now, launch the QuickBooks desktop application again and try to update the payroll services. If you are still facing the issue, then try the next solution. 

Solution 3. Repair QuickBooks Desktop Application

Let’s discuss the steps you can execute to repair the QuickBooks desktop application on your PC. 

• First of all, navigate to the control panel settings on your device. 
• Click on the “Programs” option and select the “Programs and Features” option. 
• Under the list of available programs, do a right click on the “QuickBooks” option. 
• After that, click on the “Uninstall or change” option, followed by a click on the “Yes” option. 
• Moving ahead, click on the “Next” option, and select the “Repair” option. 

Now, the QuickBooks repairing process will commence on your screen. It may take some time, depending on the size of the QuickBooks file. Once the repairing process ends, then examine if the QuickBooks payroll update 15243 has been eliminated or not. 

If the error code 15243 is still existing, then don’t panic and jump to the next solution.

Solution 4. Re-validating QuickBooks Payroll Subscription

If your QuickBooks payroll subscription is inactive, you will not be able to use any of the QuickBooks payroll services and may even face the QuickBooks error 15243. 

In this scenario, you must revalidate the QuickBooks payroll subscription to resolve the QuickBooks error 15243. Given below are the steps that you can execute to re-validate your QuickBooks payroll subscription;

• First of all, open the QuickBooks desktop application on your PC. 
• On the home page of the accounting software, click on the “Employees” tab at the top of the screen. 
• Under the employees drop-down menu list, click on the “My Payroll Service” option.
• Thereon, you have to select the “Accounting/ Billing Information” option. 
• You will be automatically redirected to the QuickBooks payroll account maintenance page. 
• You have to close this page manually, and then the QuickBooks software will re-validate the payroll subscription. 

Once the validating process ends, launch the QuickBooks desktop and update the QuickBooks payroll. If the error persists, you can move to the next solution. 

Solution 5. Download New Windows Update

Suppose you have not updated the PC’s windows for a long time. In that case, it can cause compatibility issues between the QuickBooks and Windows operating system, leading to various QuickBooks errors. In that case, you must update the PC’s windows to the latest release by performing the below steps. 

• First, press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the windows start menu. 
• Secondly, you have “Windows Update” in the search box and then hit the enter button.
• Now, click on the “Check for Updates” option, and if there are new updates available, you will see the “Install Updates” option. 
• At last, click on the “Install Updates” option, and then the updating process will commence on your screen. 
• As the updating process, then restart your PC.

After updating the PC’s windows to the latest release, try to update the QuickBooks payroll services. After performing the above mentioned solutions, the QuickBooks payroll update error 15243 must be resolved. 

In Conclusion

As demonstrated above, we have listed five tried and tested solutions you can implement to resolve the QuickBooks payroll update error 15243. Sometimes, a few users may still face problems eliminating the error in some special cases. In such cases, users can connect with our QuickBooks experts to provide quick assistance. Our experts are available 24X7 around the clock to resolve the user’s queries across the globe.