5 Efficient Methods to Fix QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038

The QuickBooks payroll error PS038 can occur while running the payroll reports or receipts in QuickBooks. The error can also appear while downloading the latest tax table updates or if the paycheck in payroll is stuck as “Online to send.” There are many reasons that may lead to the QuickBooks payroll error PS038, such as digital signature verification failure, network connection issues, corruption in QBW files, etc. Read this post to learn more about this error and learn some efficient solutions to fix the error. It also includes one advanced QuickBooks Recovery tool to recover the corrupted payroll data from the QBW file if the error triggers due to corruption.

Possible Causes of QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038

This QuickBooks error primarily occurs when the application fails to read the payroll components. It can occur due to one of the following reasons:

Issues with QuickBooks company file
Incomplete Payroll updates
Damaged payroll items in QuickBooks
QuickBooks File Copy service is not enabled
Problems with Internet connection settings
Incorrect Firewall settings

5 Efficient Methods to Resolve QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038

The QuickBooks payroll error PS038 can occur while installing payroll updates. It may happen if there is an issue with the tax table file. Verify whether you have the latest tax table and an active and up-to-date payroll service subscription. If you have an active payroll service subscription and are still getting this problem, then follow the below solutions to troubleshoot the error.

Method 1: Check Internet and Firewall Settings

Incorrect network settings and firewall configuration can impact the installation of payroll updates resulting in the PS038 error. You can check and reconfigure the Firewall settings, and ensure ports 80 and 443 are enabled. You can also check the internet settings. Follow the below steps:

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Open your QuickBooks application.
Navigate to the Internet Connection Setup option.
Select the option labeled “Use my computer’s Internet connection settings to establish a connection when this application accesses the Internet.”
Choose the Next option.
Click the Advanced Connection Setting button.
Under the Advanced tab, click Restore Advanced Settings.
Click OK and then click Done.

Method 2: Verify Discrepancies in Payroll Data/Usage Data

You can get the QuickBooks error PS038 if there are problematic payroll items. You can check and analyze the payroll data by sending the payroll data/usage data in the QuickBooks. Here’s how to do so:

Open the QuickBooks application.
Select the Employees option and then click Send Payroll Data.
In the Send/Receive Payroll Data dialog box, click on the Send All option.
You may see a prompt asking you to fill in the payroll service pin. Enter the pin.

Method 3: Check and Fix the Stuck Paychecks

Sometimes, the error PS038 appears if the payroll paycheck is stuck as “Online to send.” You can check and fix the stuck paychecks in the paycheck list reports. Following are the steps to do so:

Go to the left pane of the QuickBooks dashboard and select the Report menu.
Click the Check Detail Report button.
Click Edit > Find.
Select the Advanced button.
Click on the tab named Choose Filter. In the Filter list, select Detail Level.
Select the Summary Only option.
Again, navigate to the filter list, click Online Status, and then click Online to Send.
Choose Find button. You will see all the unsent paychecks.
Note the number of matches and click the page.
Next, run the QuickBooks built-in utility – Verify and Rebuild to see the stuck paychecks.
When the verify process is complete, rebuild your data file. For this, locate the Utilities option and click Rebuild Data.
In the QuickBooks information dialog box, click OK.
The application will prompt you to create a company file backup.
You can follow the backup instructions on the screen to create the backup.
Once the backup process is completed, the tool will automatically start rebuilding the file.
Wait for the process to complete. Then, click OK.

Method 4: Switch the Stuck Paychecks

If the rebuilding process fails to fix the payroll error, you can try to switch the stuck paychecks. Here are the steps to do so:

Open the affected stuck paycheck.
Select the Paycheck Detail button.
Then, under the Earnings option in the Review Paycheck dialog box, type the earnings items matching with the listed earnings items.
Click No on the Net Pay Locked message window.
Make sure the tax amounts and net pay are correct. Click OK.
In case you get a Past Transaction message, click on the Yes option.
Click Save and then Close.
Next, click the Paycheck Details button.
Now clear all the recently inserted earnings items in the Earnings field.
Also, make sure that the tax amounts and net pay should remain the same.
Click OK.

Method 5: Repair your QuickBooks Company File

Corrupted/damaged payroll items in the QBW file can also cause the QuickBooks payroll error PS038. You can download the QuickBooks Tool Hub and run the QuickBooks File Doctor tool to repair the damaged company file.

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Steps to repair QBW file using the QuickBooks File Doctor tool

- Download, install, and launch the latest QuickBooks Tool Hub.

In Tool Hub, select the option “Company File Issues.”

Click Run QuickBooks File Doctor tool.
In the QuickBooks File Doctor window, select the desired QBW file.
The application will prompt you to fill in the QuickBooks® Admin credentials. Enter the credentials and then select the Next option.
Wait for the process to complete.

After the scan is complete, check whether you are getting the same error. If it fails to provide the intended results, then you can opt for a professional QuickBooks repair tool, like Stellar Repair for QuickBooks. This tool, recommended by experts, can repair highly corrupted QBW files and recover all the data. It has a simple UI that will enable you to repair damaged company files effortlessly and quickly. Download the software’s demo version to scan and preview the company file.

To Conclude

To fix the QuickBooks payroll error PS038, follow the methods discussed above. You can check the discrepancies in payroll/usage data, network and firewall settings, etc. If the corrupted payroll items are causing this payroll error, then use Stellar Repair for QuickBooks to repair and restore the company file with complete integrity.

5 Efficient Methods to Fix QuickBooks Payroll Error PS038