Say Goodbye to QuickBooks Error 15270 with These Simple Solutions!
If you use QuickBooks for managing your payroll tasks and other financial operations and you just encountered the dreaded Error 15270, you may be feeling a little upset about having your work abruptly stop. And you may also unsure of how to fix it. Whether you are a basic QuickBooks user with a small business, or a freelance accountant who takes up occasional work, or a professional accountant working for a large organization, it can get overwhelming trying to scourge the internet to find answers for “how to fix error code 15270 in QuickBooks.”
But we are here to assure that you don’t need to panic or feel obstructed by these errors. This post will provide valuable information and insights to help you get your QuickBooks back on track. The troubleshooting methods below are easy to apply and will fix error code 15270 in QuickBooks. And they do not require exhaustive and thorough experience in accounting or in IT troubleshooting. Anyone can understand this guide, which is written in plain English for basic users to find the solution easily and apply it to their situation.
So, let’s dive in and take a closer look at finding out what QuickBooks error 15270 is about and what you can do it to fix it.
Key Details About QB Error code 15270
The challenge of diagnosing and identifying the source of the error can exacerbate the feelings of annoyance of the user/accountant. Just like any other error, QuickBooks error 15270 also interferes with the normal flow of work. It disrupts the tasks of managing financial records efficiently, adding to the stress of potential consequences of not being able to fix the payroll update error 15270 in time.
You may also visit to this relevant blog: How to Fix QuickBooks Error Code 15271
Therefore, before we figure out how to fix the dreaded error code 15270 in QuickBooks, let’s get some basic but key details about it out in the open.
It is a payroll update error that can show up when you are downloading updates to your payroll. The exact error message can sometimes vary depending on the exact cause of the error, but it usually mentions that the update is missing a file and that the payroll update was not completed successfully.
Here are some possible reasons payroll update was not completed, resulting in error 15270:
1. Your internet connection dropped in the middle of the update, failing to download the required files and data.
2. A malicious software could also interfere with the downloading process.
3. It is also possible that the payroll subscriptions you are trying to update have expired and are inactive.
4. In QuickBooks, you need to enter service key and/or EIN (Employer identification number) to smoothly manage transactions and payroll. Entering incorrect service key and/or EIN could also result in error 15270 in QuickBooks.
5. Issues with QuickBooks installation files, like corruption or missing data.
6. Default browser is set to be some other than Internet Explorer
Any one of these reasons could result in error 15270.
Not that you are aware of potential causes behind the issue, you can now move forward in how to actually get rid of it.
Strategic Ways to fix Error Code 15270 in QuickBooks
Here are some common strategic approaches that will fix the error code in no time.
Make Internet Explorer your default browser
QuickBooks has introduced its custom built-in browser on June 10, 2022, that is no longer dependent on Internet Explorer. This was done after Microsoft announced it would no longer support internet explorer and it will be no longer accessible after February 14, 2023. Although, Edge browser now comes with a compatibility mode to run websites inside the internet explorer environment.
However, custom in-built browser in is only supported in QuickBooks Desktop pro, premiere, enterprise, and accountant versions after 2020 edition. So, if you are on an earlier version and/or if not using pro/enterprise, you will still need internet explorer browser. In fact, internet explorer will not be used for some online services, but for now, it is still required for QuickBooks to function properly and without any hiccups. It is especially needed in case of QuickBooks 2013 error 15270, or any 15270 error before 2022.
In conclusion, you do need to make internet explorer your default browser. You can go to ‘Options’ inside internet explorer (Tools => Internet Options => Program => Default Web Browser). Or, if you are on Windows 10 or 11, you can go to Settings => Apps => Default Apps => Search for ‘Internet Explorer’ And set it as default.
If performing the above suggested solution didn’t fix QuickBooks error 15270, try downloading entire payroll update after updating QuickBooks service too.
You may also see: How to Fix QuickBooks Error Code 15240
Reset and Re-update QuickBooks and Download Entire Payroll Update Again
Since error 15270 is primarily about failed payroll update, it is often suggested to reset the updates to QuickBooks itself and try the whole process again.
Given that you are reading about error 15270, it is likely that you were in the middle of updating payroll, and therefore, know how to do that. But still, in case, you are not completely familiar with it, here’s a simple guide on how to reset and update both QuickBooks and payroll:
1. Open QuickBooks. You might see the update service pop up. Do not install them now. Click “Install Later” to skip.
2. Go to Help menu at the top and then click on “Update QuickBooks”
3. Go to ‘Update now’ tab.
4. Select all the updates, check the ‘Reset Updates’ box, and click Ok to confirm resetting.
5. After the update are reset, click on ‘get Updates’
6. After the update is completed, restart QuickBooks
7. You might once again get the update service pop up message. Click on “Install now” to install all the updates.
8. Now finally, it is time to update the payroll as well. Go to ‘Employees’ =>And click on “Get Payroll Updates.” Check “Download Entire Payroll Update.”
9. Click “update”
In majority of cases concerning QuickBooks error code 15270, the solution above works effectively in resolving the error.
However, if your case is different and downloading entire updates didn’t work, you should verify your subscriptions and confirm if they are active or not.
Inactive Subscriptions – Common Cause for QB error code 15270
One common but often ignored cause for error 15270 in QuickBooks is inactive subscription of Payroll account.
Verify the status of your subscription:
1. Go to ‘Employees’ => My Payroll service
2. Select ‘Account/billing information’
3. Open Account info/preferences
4. Sign into your Intuit account by entering ID and password
5. You can now see the page for QuickBooks Payroll account maintenance
6. Check for payroll subscription and verify if it is active or not.
Note that if you are using assisted payroll, you won’t be able to verify your subscription directly. You need to follow the same steps as above, till step – 6, open ‘QuickBooks Payroll Account Maintenance.’ Then simply close the maintenance page, which will prompt for an update and re-validates your payroll service.
You may also view: How to Fix QuickBooks Error Code 15243
Check if EIN and Service Key are Missing!
When you add an employee in QuickBooks, you also need to enter the service key and EIN (Employment Identification Number). The 15270-payroll error in QuickBooks may occur due to missing service key or EIN. The error is also quite common when you use social security numbers instead of EIN.
To verify both EIN and service key have been added:
– Go to Employees => My Payroll service
– Select “Manage payroll service key”
– Click ‘Edit’ to edit the service key and EIN of an existing payroll service. Otherwise, click ‘Add’ to add service key and EIN.
– Update payroll
– Confirm for active status for the payroll service
– Go to ‘Help’ => Manage my license => Sync License Data Online
If fixing all these entries and updating the system did not solve error 15270 in QuickBooks,
– Use QuickBooks Tool hub to fix common errors
– Repair QuickBooks Desktop
– Perform a clean install of QuickBooks desktop in Windows safe mode
If you are having problems, the final advice would be to ask for help from professional support.
