Fixing QuickBooks Error 15227 with Effective Solutions

Last Updated on January 29, 2026

Before you send paychecks or create direct deposits, you might have thought of updating the payroll. The QuickBooks error 15227 just presents itself on the screen, accompanied by the following message:

Numerous reasons can give way to the error, and thus, a comprehensive set of steps is required to troubleshoot it. In this guide, we will take you through all the possible reasons for error code 15227 and proven ways to resolve it.

If you are experiencing a payroll-related error in your system, feel free to contact our experts at +1(855)-510-6487 for a free consultation.

Why Can’t You Update Payroll in QuickBooks Desktop?

Here are several reasons that prevent you from installing payroll updates and cause QuickBooks error 15227.

• The QuickBooks software might be corrupt, damaged, or incompletely installed.
• You might be missing crucial Windows components.
• The software files were modified over time or by an incident, damaging the Windows registry.
• Viruses or malware have infected the system and its files.
• QuickBooks can’t connect to the server due to firewall restrictions or unfavorable internet settings.
• The Windows operating system is outdated.

These were some common reasons for the error. Now, let us explore how to fix it.

How to Fix QuickBooks Error 15227: Expert-Recommended Solutions

Sometimes update errors are temporary and can be resolved by restarting the computer and then trying the update again. However, if QuickBooks error 15227 persists, follow the steps below to fix it. But first, create a QuickBooks company backup.

Solution 1: Update the Operating System

If your operating system or its components are outdated, this can cause compatibility issues with QuickBooks. An update can fix that. We have listed the steps to update the Windows operating system below. However, if you need to update macOS or another operating system (OS), the steps would be very different.

• Open the Start menu.
• Search for and open Settings.
• Go to Update & Security, followed by Windows Update.
• Click the button to check for updates.
• Let Windows check for available updates, and if any are available, download and install them.

Finally, restart the computer, then update QuickBooks Desktop. In the end, update QuickBooks payroll.

Solution 2: Utilize Quick Fix my Program

If error code 15227 in QuickBooks Desktop reappears, it could be due to a program issue. To run a quick repair on QuickBooks, use the tool hub. Therefore, firstly, install the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub on your computer. Now, follow the steps below:

• Launch QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• Click the Program Problems tab.
• Tap on Quick Fix my Program.

The tool will instantly repair the QB program. Check if you can update the tax table now.

Solution 3: Use the Install Diagnostic Tool

However, if QuickBooks error 15227 persists, it may be due to a damaged installation or a missing or corrupt Windows component. To resolve this, let us repair the QuickBooks installation. For that, download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub.

• Open the QB Tool Hub.
• Select the Installation Issues tab.
• Tap on QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.

Give the tool some time to appear on the screen. After that, the repair process may take some time. When it is finished, restart the computer and run the payroll update. If you encounter the same issue, run a disk cleanup.

Note: QuickBooks Error 15311 occurs when QuickBooks cannot verify a digital signature during updates, often caused by damaged Windows files, incorrect internet settings, or security software interference, which prevents successful payroll or software updates.

Solution 4: Run a Disk Cleanup

Disk cleanup improves performance by clearing unnecessary temporary and junk files. This can aid the update process. Here is how you perform disk cleanup in Windows:

• Press the Windows + R keys. You will now see the Run window.

• Now, enter cleanmgr, and choose OK.
• You will see the disk clean-up window. Choose Drive C and then OK.
• Choose the file types you need to delete and hit OK.
• Finally, select Delete files.

Resume the QB operations now.

Solution 5: Import Digital Security Certificate for QuickBooks

QuickBooks requires a digital security certificate to set up a secure network connection and install updates. If your desktop application is missing or has an invalid security certificate, you may encounter QuickBooks error 15227. Here is how you can install it:

• Close all open QuickBooks windows, then search for QuickBooks in the Start menu.
• When the application appears in the results list, right-click it and select Open file location.
• Now, when the file location window opens, look for the QuickBooks file with a .exe file extension and right-click on it.
• Choose Properties and go to the Digital Signatures tab.
• Go to Details, and when the Digital Signature Details window opens, choose View Certificate.
• From the Certificate window, tap on the General tab and click on Install Certificate.
• The Certificate Import Wizard window will now appear. Check whether the Store Location is not selected as the Current User; if so, select it.
• Choose Next. Windows will automatically select the correct store based on the type of digital certificate.
• Finally, tap Next, then Finish.

After you see a confirmation message stating that the import was successful, retry the payroll update.

Solution 6: Add Intuit as a Trusted Site

QuickBooks cannot update the payroll if the internet settings don’t allow it to connect to the Intuit servers.

For Google Chrome

• Go to the Settings.
• Choose the Customise and control Google Chrome option.
• Go to the Privacy and security section.
• Choose Site Settings.
• Select the Third-party cookies option.
• Under the Allowed to use third-party cookies section, choose Add.
• Enter *.intuit.com, then choose Add to save.

For Safari

However, if that doesn’t resolve the payroll update error 15222, check the firewall and antivirus settings.

• Access the Safari browser.
• Enter the *.intuit.com
• Tap Enter.
• Choose the Bookmarks option.
• Then, select the Add Bookmark option.
• From the dropdown menu, choose Favourites.
• Choose Add.

For Microsoft Edge

• Choose the menu icon from the top.
• Go to Settings.
• From the left pane, choose Cookies and site permissions.
• Then, select the Manage and delete cookies and site data option.
• From the Allow section, choose Add.
• Input *.intuit.com, then choose Add to save.

To fix that, go to the Internet Options and add Intuit as a trusted site. Now, resume the tax table updates.

Solution 7: Create Firewall and Antivirus Exclusions for QuickBooks

Other factors can inhibit the tax table update, such as Windows and antivirus firewalls.

• Access the Windows Start menu.
• Search for and access Windows Firewall.
• Then, head to the Advanced Settings option.
• Right-click on the Inbound Rules option.
• Tap on the New Rule and choose the Select Port option.
• Tap on Next and ensure that TCP is selected, and input the specific local ports in the port field as per your QB version:
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later: 8019, XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377.

To get the Dynamic Port number, follow the steps below:

• Access the QuickBooks Database Server Manager from the Windows Start menu.
• Note down your Port Number to access the Firewall Port Exceptions.
• After entering the port number, choose the Allow the Connection option.
• Tap on Next.
• Check all the profiles and then tap on Next.
• Here, create a new rule and name it QBPorts(year).
• Follow the same steps for Outbound Rules.

To avoid that, create QuickBooks exemptions to Windows and the antivirus firewall.

Solution 8: Run Reboot.bat File

To re-register the .DLL and .OCX files and consequently resolve the QuickBooks error 15227, launch the reboot.bat file.

• Close any QuickBooks Desktop windows, preferably by choosing Exit QuickBooks.
• Right-click on the QuickBooks Desktop icon and go to Properties.
• Select Open file location, then locate the reboot.bat file.
• Right-click on the reboot.bat file and choose Run as administrator.
• Reboot.bat will run and close automatically. Restart the computer and then open QuickBooks Desktop. If asked to Install Now, choose that.

Solution 9: Run the System File Checker

Damaged or corrupted files can cause payroll update error 15227 in QuickBooks Desktop. Run the System File Checker to resolve the issue.

• In the search box beside the Start menu, type Command Prompt.
• Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• In the command prompt, type SFC /scannow and hit Enter.

Let the tool repair the files. Once complete, reboot the computer and resume payroll operations.

Solution 10: Repair QuickBooks from the Control Panel

You can repair QuickBooks from the Control Panel to resolve several errors. Here are the steps that will guide you in doing so:

• Close all open programs and restart the computer.
• Don’t open QuickBooks Desktop; instead, search for the Control Panel in the search box beside the Start menu.

• Open the Control Panel and go to Programs and Features.
• Find QuickBooks in the list of applications and right-tap on it.
• Select Uninstall/Change, then Continue, then Next.
• Tap on Repair and then Next.

Follow the on-screen instructions to repair QuickBooks, restart the application, and resume the payroll update.

Conclusion

This explains why you encounter QuickBooks error 15227 when updating the tax table. Additionally, we explored proven methods to resolve the issue. However, if you continue to struggle with the challenge, speak to our QuickBooks expert at +1(855)-510-6487.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Kate Churchill

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.