Convenient Solutions to Permanently Fix QuickBooks Error PS038

Among the many important QuickBooks functions, the payroll function helps users process employee data, calculate payroll, send paychecks, etc. This function can be run correctly only if it is updated regularly and the maintenance releases are installed. The QuickBooks error PS038 can prevent users from sending or processing paychecks and makes them stuck online. There can be many reasons for the error, like an outdated application or expired payroll membership. If you are encountering the QuickBooks error code PS038, you can use the effective solutions provided in this article to address it once and for all.

If you are having trouble understanding the steps or resolving the error message on your own, you can reach out to us at 1.855.738.2784 to get assistance from our team of QB experts.

What are the Most Common Scenarios Leading to the QuickBooks Desktop Error PS038?

QuickBooks error message PS038 can arise due to the main reasons and causes listed below –

1. The QuickBooks Desktop version you are using is outdated, obsolete, or discontinued, which is causing compatibility issues while running the payroll updates.
2. The QuickBooks Desktop application is not correctly installed, and a faulty or incomplete installation process is triggering the PS038 error.
3. An anti-virus or malware attack has infected your system and is also affecting QuickBooks and its various functions.
4. The QuickBooks company data file is broken or damaged, and the file folder might be corrupted or changed.
5. Your system did not shut down properly the last time, which is causing issues while running various apps.
6. Essential files, like the network data and transaction log files, are damaged or corrupted, and the files might be missing or accidentally deleted from the system.
7. There are network connectivity or server issues which are preventing the users from accessing the internet to download the latest payroll updates.
8. The payroll subscription has expired, or it is unverified, which is causing issues while running QuickBooks payroll and its various features.

Prerequisites for Eliminating the QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038

Before we go forward with the troubleshooting solutions, let’s take care of the following points to successfully fix the payroll issues –

1. Ensure that your QuickBooks Desktop version is supported and properly updated to the latest release.
2. Your QuickBooks payroll tax tables also need to be updated to the latest version for running the payroll function with ease.
3. Lastly, make sure that you are not running QuickBooks in a multi-user mode while downloading the payroll updates.

How to Easily Address the QuickBooks Update Error PS038?

QuickBooks payroll update error PS038 can be reliably dismissed by using the solutions provided below –

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Solution 1 – Update QuickBooks and Send the Payroll Usage Data Again

You can fix the QB error code PS038 by updating QuickBooks and trying to send the payroll data again.

1. Open QuickBooks and select the Update QuickBooks Desktop option from the Help tab to access the Update Now menu.
2. From the Update window, select Get Updates and click on Reset Updates to find and download the latest updates in QB.
3. Once downloaded, select Install Now to begin the update installation process, and once done, close QuickBooks and reboot your PC.
4. Now, go to the QuickBooks Employees menu and select the Payroll Administration section to select the Send Payroll Data option.
5. Check if the payroll has been sent effectively, and if not, follow the next troubleshooting step to fix the PS038 error message.

Solution 2 – Identify the Stuck Paychecks and Run the Verify/Rebuild Utility

Another way to remove the payroll update issues in QB is to fix the stuck paychecks by running the verify/rebuild utility.

1. Go to the Edit menu of QuickBooks Desktop and click on the Find button to navigate to the Advanced tab.
2. Select the Choose Filter tab and click on Detail Level to get the paycheck summary, and select the Choose Filter option again.
3. Now, click Online Status and select Online to Send from the drop-down list to locate the unsent paychecks in QB payroll.
4. Once the paychecks are found, go to the File menu and select the Utilities section to click on the Verify Data option and run a verification process for these paychecks.
5. Before running the verify tool, make sure that all the essential QB data has been properly backed up, and once the verification process ends, go to the File tab again and select the Rebuild Data utility.
6. Lastly, let the issues be fixed, and once the process ends, click Save to save the reinforcements and select View to see the final results again.

Solution 3 – Toggle the Stuck Paychecks from the Paycheck Details Tab

You need to find and review the stuck paychecks to edit the earning items and fix them.

1. Once you have found the stuck paychecks from the above step, click on the Paycheck Detail option and go to the Review Paycheck window.
2. Now, from the Earnings tab, incorporate the similar earnings item in the list and wait for the Net Pay Locked message to appear.
3. Click No and do not edit the tax amount and net pay section, followed by hitting OK and waiting for the Past Transaction message.
4. Hit Yes and click on Save and Close to exit the paycheck window and access the paychecks again.
5. From the Paycheck Details window, remove the corresponding item and perform the same step for all stuck paychecks to fix them.
6. Lastly, once all the paychecks are toggled, rerun QuickBooks and update payroll, followed by running the payroll function and checking if the PS038 error code is terminated.

Conclusion

You can easily dismiss the QuickBooks error PS038 by using the effective solutions provided above. If you followed all the steps and the error code still remains unresolved, you can reach out to us at 1.855.738.2784 to get direct assistance from our technical support team.

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