You know that it is imperative to update the tax table before you calculate employee taxes and send paychecks. Failing to do so results in regulatory non-compliance, the consequences of which can range from a simple penalty to lawsuits. However, sometimes, when updating payroll, you might end up with the following error message:
| “QuickBooks Error PS034: The payroll update did not complete successfully.” |
QuickBooks error PS034 can spawn due to various reasons, such as poor network, incorrect network settings, or a damaged CPS folder. In this blog, we will explore all these reasons and show you how to troubleshoot the error.
Reasons Why You Are Getting an Error Code PS034 in QuickBooks Desktop
Firstly, let us shed light on the potential reasons why you run into QuickBooks error PS034 when updating the payroll tax table.
- Your payroll subscription might be inactive or paused.
- The internet connection settings might be wrong and don’t allow a secure connection to Intuit servers.
- Windows or an antivirus firewall might block QuickBooks from accessing the internet.
- The file stored in the CPS folder might be damaged.
- Antivirus might quarantine QB programs responsible for updates or stop them from running.
- Billing information or company details might be incorrectly entered into the file.
- You might not have registered your QuickBooks Desktop
- The application or the operating system is outdated and needs an update or an upgrade
Now, we will show you how to resolve the problem.
How to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error PS034 When Updating Payroll
Let us now take you through proven ways to resolve QuickBooks error PS034. This will include troubleshooting various aspects, such as the payroll service subscription, program issues, damage in the CPS folder, and more.
1. Update the Operating System and the Software
An outdated software or operating system will evidently run into errors and technical issues and might be incompatible with other applications.
Therefore, firstly, you should download and install updates available for your operating system (such as Windows, MacOS, or Linux). For instance, we will show you how to update Windows here:
- Search for Settings in the Start menu and open it.
- Now, go to Update and Security.
- Tap on the Check for updates button, and give Windows a while to find out if there are any updates available.
- Download and install the updates available and then restart the computer.
Finally, update your QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. If it works, proceed to update the payroll. However, if it doesn’t, move to the next solution.
2. Verify the Payroll Service Subscription
To update the payroll, you would need an active payroll service subscription. Let us verify and ensure that:
- To begin with, close any QB window and reboot the computer.
- Launch QuickBooks and open the Employees menu, followed by My Payroll Service.
- Tap on Manage Service Key.
- Verify that the Service Name is correct and the Status is Active.
- Tap on Edit and check the service key number. Ensure that it is correct, and if you are required to make any changes, please do so.
- Choose Next, unmark the checkbox for Open Payroll Setup,
- Finally, choose Finish.
QuickBooks will now attempt to get the tax table updates to your system. If it turns out to be unsuccessful and gives way to QuickBooks error PS034, move to the next step.
3. Rename the CPS Folder
If the file stored in the CPS folder is damaged, the payroll update will not be successful. To resolve that, you can rename the CPS folder altogether. Here are the steps for the same:
- Open the File Explorer. (You can use the Windows + E shortcut to launch the File Explorer instantly).
- Go to This PC and then C Drive, followed by Program Files (x86) or Program Files.
- Double-click the Intuit folder followed by the folder for QuickBooks Desktop (open the folder for the QBDT version you are having problems with if you have more than one version installed on your computer)
- Navigate to Components > Payroll and right-click on the CPS folder.
- Add .OLD to the end of the name so that it now becomes CPS.OLD
Restart the QuickBooks Desktop, which will recreate a CPS Folder. You can now run the tax table update without a problem.
4. Resolve Program Issues in QuickBooks
Error installing payroll updates PS034 can be because of program problems in QuickBooks Desktop.
To troubleshoot that, first download and install the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub and then follow the steps below.
- Launch QB Tool Hub and click on the Program Problems tab.
- Choose QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool to run a repair on the program.
Check if you can update the payroll tax table without an issue. Otherwise, repair QuickBooks installation.
5. Repair QuickBooks Installation Issues
QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool resolves issues like incomplete installation, corrupt or missing Windows registry, damaged or missing Microsoft components, etc.
- Open the Tool Hub and then tap on Installation Issues.
- Click QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool and wait for some minutes for it to appear on the screen.
The tool will take somewhere around 15 minutes to repair the installation issues. After its completion, reboot the system and resume the payroll operations.
6. Modify the User Account Control (UAC) Settings
User Account Control (UAC) is a Windows feature that prevents unauthorized changes to your computer. This might prevent you from installing tax table updates and lead you to QuickBooks error PS034.
You can turn off UAC for a while and turn it back on later.
- Search for the Control Panel in the Start menu and open it.
- Go to User Accounts followed by User Accounts (Classic View).
- Tap on Change user account control settings and choose Open.
- When you see a slider, drag it to Never Notify. This will turn the UAC off.
- If prompted, choose Yes to confirm the changes to the computer.
Restart the computer and install the payroll updates. Once done, follow the same steps to change the user account control settings, and this time, set the slider to always notify.
7. Ensure there Are No Duplicate Copies of QB
There should be no duplicate copies of the same version of QuickBooks Desktop. This means duplicate instances of installation.
To check that, open the Control Panel and go to Programs and Features. If there are multiple instances of the same QuickBooks Desktop version, right-click on it and choose Uninstall. Next, follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall one of the two copies.
8. Set Up Firewall and Antivirus to Allow QuickBooks
QuickBooks needs to establish a secure connection with the server to download updates. However, sometimes the firewall might not allow that. Check if the Windows Firewall is blocking QuickBooks and fix that.
Moreover, if you have antivirus or security software installed on your computer, it might prevent QB from connecting to Intuit or running in the background. Therefore, create QuickBooks exclusions to your antivirus.
Conclusion
We discussed why you might run into QuickBooks error PS034 when updating the payroll tax table. Moreover, we took you through expert-recommended ways to fix it.
However, if the error just doesn’t go away even after trying the methods listed above, clean install QuickBooks Desktop or speak to a QB expert at +1(855)-738-0359!
Frequently Asked Questions
The reason why the payroll update was unsuccessful and ran into a PSXXX error is because of incorrect internet or firewall settings blocking QuickBooks, User Account Control restrictions, multiple instances of installation, program or installation issues, etc.
To manually update the payroll tax table in QuickBooks, launch the application, go to the Employees menu, followed by Get Payroll Updates, and choose Payroll Update Info.
Kate is a certified public accountant (CPA) with expertise in various accounting software. She is technically inclined and finds passion in helping businesses and self-employed people carry out bookkeeping, payroll, and taxation without worrying about errors. Every once in a while, Kate loves to travel to far-off places and relax in the lap of nature.