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QuickBooks Error 15240 During Software or Tax Table Update

• 
• By Jonathan Browns
• Jun 01, 2026
• Accounting
• 7 min read

Regular updates play a crucial role in accounting software like QuickBooks Desktop. However, sometimes, you can run into QuickBooks error 15240 when you try to install software or payroll updates. There can be various factors that can lead to the error, such as misconfigured internet settings, a restrictive firewall, or incorrect time and date. It is imperative to resolve this error so that you can continue with day-to-day operations without running into performance issues and without risking noncompliance (in the case of the Payroll update, you can’t send paychecks with an outdated tax table).

In this article, we will go into detail on this subject and walk you through comprehensive troubleshooting to fix error code 15240.

What is QuickBooks Error 15240?

QuickBooks error 15240 is one of the 15XXX series errors associated with software and payroll tax table updates.

When it occurs, you may see the following error messages on the screen:

“Error 15240: The payroll update did not complete successfully.”
Or
“File Exists: The file you specified cannot be opened. Make sure that it is not being used by another program.”
or
“Internet connection error: unknown error”

Besides an error, here is what you might experience:

• The update screen freezes or stops responding
• Windows suddenly crashes or closes

Let us understand how this error originates in the first place.

What Causes Error Code 15240 When Installing Updates in QuickBooks Desktop?

There can be numerous things that can cause error code 15240 in QuickBooks when you try to install updates.

We have listed the most common and some rare ones here.

• You might be in multi-user mode and running the updates, which can lead to an error.
• Windows registry or QuickBooks installation files might have gone corrupt or been modified.
• There is an issue with the recent update. For instance, it might contain bugs or be corrupt.
• You might lack administrator access to make changes to the computer
• The system time and date are not set correctly, which may result in QuickBooks error 15240
• The internet settings might not be in favor of QuickBooks and interrupt updates
• QuickBooks cannot access the required ports to communicate with Intuit servers online and download update files
• Antivirus or security software sees QB programs as threats, blocks QB programs from running, or quarantines them
• In case of shared downloads, the shared drive might not be mapped correctly

Now, you know why the update error occurs. Let’s see how you can troubleshoot it.

Top Ways to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error 15240: Update Issue

To get rid of QuickBooks error 15240, you need to verify various aspects and ensure that QB has administrator permissions, the time and date are set right, and so on.

We will explain that in detail one by one. Before you begin, update your Windows operating system to the latest release.

Launch QBDT as an Administrator

QuickBooks needs administrator permissions to install updates. To make sure of that, launch QB as an administrator.

• First, close all QuickBooks windows that are open
• Now, right-click on the QB Desktop icon
• From the list of menus that appears, choose Run as administrator

If asked to enter the admin password, do so. Finally, get updates. Move to the next step if you see an error.

Check the Time and Date Settings

Before you run updates, you need to make sure the time and date are set right on your computer.

The time on your system should reflect the timezone applicable to you. Therefore, set the time, date, and time zone, and then get updates.

Ensure Permissions to Installation Folders

Let us check the Windows permissions for the QB installation folder and modify them if needed.

• Close any QuickBooks windows that are open.
• Navigate to C:\Program Files\ (C:\Program Files (x86) if you are on a 64-bit computer)
• Right-click on the folder named Intuit
• Choose Properties and go to the Security tab
• Click Advanced and check the owner of the folder. It should be the User group.
• If that is not the case, take ownership of the Intuit folder in the following manner:
  • From the Advanced Security Settings, click on the Change option beside the Owner name
  • In the Enter the object name to select field, enter Users
  • Choose Check Names followed by OK
  • Highlight Replace owner on subcontainers and objects
  • Choose Apply followed by OK
  • Now, click on Users from the Permission window
  • Choose Full control, followed by Apply and then OK.

Now, get the updates. If you face a problem, follow the above steps for these folders as well:

• C:\ProgramData\Intuit
• C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Local\Intuit
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit
• (64-bit users) C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Intuit

If you continue to face QuickBooks error 15240, you need to verify the internet settings.

Check the Internet Settings

Internet settings play an important role in defining what programs can connect to the servers online and what functions they can run.

You need to make sure your internet settings allow QB programs to download updates.

• In the Start menu, search for and open Internet Options
• Now, navigate to the Advanced section
• From Security, verify that Use SSL 2.0 and Use SSL 3.0 are selected
• Finally, click on Apply followed by OK.

Check if this helps you update the QB tax table or the application.

Configure Firewall Ports

Another culprit can be a restrictive Windows firewall. Windows Firewall often blocks QB from accessing required ports to connect to Intuit servers online. Therefore, configure Windows Firewall to allow QB through.

Modify Antivirus Settings

If you have antivirus or security software installed on your computer, it can also restrict QB programs from connecting to the internet, since most antivirus programs include a firewall.

Moreover, antivirus programs can judge QB programs as threats and block them from running. Therefore, you should create QB exceptions to your antivirus.

Install Digital Signature Certificate for QB

If QB’s digital signature certificate is expired or invalid, it will not be able to download updates to the computer.

Therefore, let us get a fresh copy of the digital signature for QuickBooks.

• Navigate to the folder where the qbw32.exe file is installed. It is usually: C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks. You can also search for qbw32.exe in the Start menu, and when the file appears, right-click on it and choose the Open file location option.
• Now, when the folder opens, right-click on qbw32.exe and choose Properties.
• Click Digital Signature. In the signature list, the Intuit checkbox should be marked. Verify and make sure of that.
• In the Certificate window, choose Install Certificate.
• Now, click Next followed by Finish.

Finally, restart the computer and launch QB.

Enable File Copy Service

If you still get error code 15240 when updating QuickBooks Desktop, the reason might be a disabled QB File Copy Service. Let us enable it.

• Fetch the Run window by pressing the Windows + R keys together.
• Type compmgmt.msc and hit Enter
• Choose Services and Applications from the Computer Management window that appears.
• Go to Services and scroll down to find Intuit QuickBooks FCS.
• Double-click on the same. From the Startup Type, choose Manual.
• Click Apply followed by OK to save the changes.

Move to the next step if you see an error when running payroll tax table updates. You can skip the next step if your query is not related to Payroll update but is about software updates.

Revalidate Payroll Service Key

Let us revalidate the Payroll service key. This will refresh the connection if the problem stemmed from QB’s inability to verify your Payroll subscription.

• Log in to your QB company and open the Employees menu
• Go to My Payroll Service and select the Activate Service Key option.
• Now, in the Service Key window that appears, click on Current Payroll and choose Edit.
• Choose Next followed by Finish.

When you are done, reattempt the updates.

Repair Your QuickBooks Program

Over time, the QB program can become corrupt owing to many factors. Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to repair it.

1. Run Quick Fix my Program

• Open QuickBooks Tool Hub. (Install the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub first, if you do not have the latest version of it on your system.)
• Now, go to the Program Problems section and choose Quick Fix my Program.

Restart the QB Desktop application and check if the update error code 15240 is resolved. If not, utilize the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.

b. Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

• Back in the Tool Hub, go to the Company File Issues tab
• Click on the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool option
• The tool will appear on your screen in a few minutes and start running, which might take an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

After it is done, restart the computer and open QuickBooks Desktop to download the updates.

Clean Install QBDT

If QuickBooks continues to be plagued by error 15240 despite your diverse efforts to resolve it, you should consider reinstalling the application. This will help you start afresh, but only if you take care of certain residual files.

You do not need to delete them. You can rename the installation folder to add .old to the end of the name so that QuickBooks does not automatically reopen it when it is reinstalled.

For detailed steps, you can consult our guide on QuickBooks clean installation.

An Overview of Error Code 15240 During QuickBooks Updates

The table below provides a quick overview of QuickBooks update error code 15240.

Error Code	15240
Description	QuickBooks software updates and tax table updates freeze, fail, or run into error
Potential causes	Insufficient administrator permissions, restrictive Windows Firewall or internet settings, antivirus or third-party interference, outdated QB digital signature, corrupt program, incorrect system date and time
Troubleshooting methods	Run QB updates as an administrator, configure Windows and antivirus firewall, verify the time and date settings, refresh QB digital signature certificate, grant Windows user rights to QB installation folders, verify the internet settings, repair QB application, reinstall QuickBooks
Tools involved	QuickBooks Tool Hub, Quick Fix my Program, QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

Final Words

Updates are crucial for the day-to-day QuickBooks operations. The article should help you address QuickBooks error 15240 and get software and tax table updates to the computer. If the problem persists, you can also try running System File Checker and editing the Windows registry, although the latter would need technical expertise and is not recommended if you don’t have the know-how.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix QuickBooks error 15240?

To resolve QuickBooks error 15240, start by making sure you run the application as an administrator. Moreover, update Windows, configure the firewall and internet settings, and enable the QuickBooks File Copy Service. If the error continues to appear, repair the QuickBooks program.

What is the error code 15240 in QuickBooks?

Error code 15240 is something that users run into when installing software or payroll updates in the QuickBooks Desktop application. The program might freeze or stop responding, or Windows might crash, throwing an error message with code 15240.

Why do I continuously see error 15240 when I try to install QuickBooks updates?

The error code 15240 when installing QuickBooks updates can be because of a corrupt program, unfavorable internet, firewall settings, or insufficient permissions to QB installation folders. Moreover, the QuickBooks digital signature might be outdated, or a security software or third-party program might be interfering with update processes.