QuickBooks Error 15271: Payroll Update Failed

10-minute fixVerified for QB 2024/2025Easy difficulty

Quick Answer:

Error 15271 occurs when QuickBooks cannot validate or install payroll or maintenance updates due to digital certificate issues, high UAC settings, or corrupted update files. Fix it by running as administrator, updating digital certificates, or using QuickBooks Tool Hub.

What is QuickBooks Error 15271?

QuickBooks Error 15271 is a payroll and maintenance release update error that appears when QuickBooks fails to validate downloaded update files. This prevents critical payroll tax table updates and software maintenance releases from installing, potentially causing payroll calculation errors.

Error 15271: Payroll update did not complete - File cannot be validated

QuickBooks cannot verify or install payroll update files due to certificate, UAC, or file corruption issues.

Symptoms:
  • •Error 15271 when downloading payroll updates
  • •Payroll update incomplete or fails repeatedly
  • •Cannot install maintenance release updates
  • •Tax table updates fail to download
  • •Message about file validation failure
Resolution Steps:
  1. 1.
    Run QuickBooks as administrator
  2. 2.
    Update digital signature certificate
  3. 3.
    Disable User Account Control temporarily
  4. 4.
    Download entire payroll update
  5. 5.
    Use QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

Quick Fix for Error 15271 (10 Minutes)

Fastest Solution

  1. Close QuickBooks completely
  2. Right-click QuickBooks Desktop icon
  3. Select "Run as administrator"
  4. Open QuickBooks → Go to Employees menu
  5. Select "Get Payroll Updates"
  6. Check "Download Entire Update"
  7. Click "Download Latest Update"
  8. Wait for download to complete and verify success

Detailed Solution Steps

  • 1
    Run QuickBooks as Administrator

    Ensure QuickBooks has full system permissions for updates:

    1. Close QuickBooks and all company files
    2. Right-click QuickBooks Desktop icon on desktop
    3. Select "Run as administrator"
    4. Click "Yes" if prompted by User Account Control
    5. Open your company file
    6. Go to Employees → Get Payroll Updates
    7. Select "Download Entire Update"
    8. Click "Download Latest Update"
    9. Wait for completion and check for errors

    Set Permanent Admin Mode:

    Right-click QB icon → Properties → Compatibility tab
    Check "Run this program as an administrator"
    Click Apply → OK
  • 2
    Update Digital Signature Certificate

    Refresh QuickBooks digital certificates for update validation:

    1. Close QuickBooks completely
    2. Navigate to QuickBooks installation folder:
    3. C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]
    4. Locate files with .DAT or .SIG extensions
    5. Right-click these files → Delete
    6. Empty Recycle Bin
    7. Open QuickBooks as administrator
    8. Go to Help → Update QuickBooks Desktop
    9. Click "Update Now" tab
    10. Check "Reset Update" checkbox
    11. Click "Get Updates"
    12. Restart QuickBooks and try payroll update again

    What This Does

    Deleting .DAT and .SIG files forces QuickBooks to download fresh digital certificates from Intuit servers, resolving validation errors caused by expired or corrupted certificates.
  • 3
    Disable User Account Control (UAC) Temporarily

    High UAC settings can block payroll updates:

    1. Press Windows key + R
    2. Type: UserAccountControlSettings → Enter
    3. Move slider to "Never notify" (bottom position)
    4. Click OK
    5. Restart computer for changes to take effect
    6. Open QuickBooks and download payroll updates
    7. After successful update, re-enable UAC:
    8. Return to UAC settings
    9. Move slider to recommended position (second from top)
    10. Click OK and restart computer

    Security Note: Only disable UAC temporarily for troubleshooting. Re-enable it immediately after completing payroll updates to maintain system security.

  • 4
    Download Entire Payroll Update

    Force complete update download instead of incremental:

    1. Open QuickBooks as administrator
    2. Go to Employees → Get Payroll Updates
    3. Check "Download Entire Update" box
    4. Uncheck any other update options
    5. Click "Download Latest Update"
    6. Do not use computer during download
    7. Wait for "Update successful" message
    8. Close and reopen QuickBooks
    9. Verify payroll is working correctly
  • 5
    Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

    Repair Microsoft components affecting updates:

    1. Download QuickBooks Tool Hub from Intuit's website
    2. Install and open Tool Hub
    3. Click "Installation Issues" tab
    4. Click "QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool"
    5. Let tool run completely (15-20 minutes)
    6. Restart computer when prompted
    7. Open QuickBooks as administrator
    8. Try downloading payroll updates
  • 6
    Verify Payroll Subscription Status

    Ensure your payroll subscription is active:

    1. Open QuickBooks
    2. Go to Employees → My Payroll Service
    3. Click "Account/Billing Information"
    4. Verify subscription status shows "Active"
    5. Check expiration date is in the future
    6. If expired or inactive, contact Intuit to renew
    7. After renewal, try payroll update again

    Expired Subscription

    Error 15271 can occur if your payroll subscription has expired. QuickBooks won't download payroll updates without an active subscription. Verify status before troubleshooting further.
  • 7
    Configure Firewall and Antivirus Settings

    Ensure security software isn't blocking updates:

    1. Add QuickBooks to antivirus exclusion list:
    2. C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]
    3. C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]
    4. Configure Windows Firewall exceptions:
    5. Press Windows + R → Type firewall.cpl
    6. Click "Allow an app through firewall"
    7. Find QuickBooks → Check both Private and Public
    8. Click OK
    9. Try payroll update again
    QuickBooks Update Ports
    Port 80 (HTTP)
    Port 443 (HTTPS)
    Port 8019 (QuickBooks updates)
  • 8
    Clean Reinstall QuickBooks (Last Resort)

    If all solutions fail, perform a clean reinstall:

    1. Back up all company files
    2. Note your QuickBooks license and product number
    3. Uninstall QuickBooks from Control Panel
    4. Run QuickBooks Clean Install Tool from Tool Hub
    5. Restart computer
    6. Download fresh QuickBooks installer from Intuit
    7. Install as administrator
    8. Activate with license number
    9. Download payroll updates

    • Why Does Error 15271 Occur?

    Root Causes

    • Expired Digital Certificates: QuickBooks signature certificates are outdated or corrupted, preventing update file validation
    • High UAC Settings: User Account Control prevents QuickBooks from making necessary system changes during updates
    • Insufficient Permissions: QuickBooks not running with administrator rights cannot install payroll updates
    • Corrupted Update Files: Downloaded payroll update files are incomplete or damaged
    • Firewall/Antivirus Blocking: Security software interferes with download or installation of update files
    • Expired Payroll Subscription: Inactive or expired payroll service prevents update downloads

    How to Prevent Error 15271

    Best Practices:

    • Always run QuickBooks as administrator for payroll updates
    • Keep payroll subscription active and up-to-date
    • Add QuickBooks to antivirus and firewall exclusions
    • Download payroll updates regularly (at least monthly)
    • Maintain stable internet connection during updates

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What causes QuickBooks Error 15271?

    Error 15271 occurs when QuickBooks cannot validate payroll update files. Common causes include expired digital signature certificates, high User Account Control settings, insufficient administrator permissions, or expired payroll subscription.

    Can I still run payroll with Error 15271?

    You can run payroll, but it's not recommended. Without the latest payroll updates, tax tables may be outdated, leading to incorrect tax calculations. This can cause compliance issues and penalties. Fix Error 15271 before processing payroll.

    Is it safe to disable UAC?

    Disabling UAC temporarily for troubleshooting is safe if you re-enable it immediately after. UAC protects your system from unauthorized changes. Only disable it long enough to download the payroll update, then turn it back on.

    How often should I download payroll updates?

    Download payroll updates at least monthly, or before each payroll run. Tax rates and regulations change frequently. QuickBooks releases updates as needed to maintain compliance with federal and state tax laws.

    Related Resources

    Error 15103 Solution

    Fix update and payroll errors

    Error 15222 Solution

    Fix update certificate errors

    Error 12007 Solution

    Fix network timeout during updates

    Payroll Setup Guide

    Complete payroll configuration

    Need Professional Help?

    If you're still experiencing Error 15271 after following these steps, or need help with payroll configuration and tax compliance, our QuickBooks payroll specialists are here to help.

    Get Expert Support