How to Fix QuickBooks Payroll Error 30159?

QuickBooks Payroll needs to be updated periodically, as Intuit often comes up with the latest maintenance releases loaded with more advanced features. Running updates is not that easy because it needs favorable conditions and specific system requirements to install it successfully. However, if there is any issue in system configuration or internet connectivity is restricted, the user may encounter an error message.

Every error message specifies a different sort of problems and requires a specific set of troubleshooting solutions. When the user encounters QuickBooks payroll error 30159, it means payroll subscription is not yet verified. Once the error code appears on the screen, the user will be unable to Download the latest updates.

If you are also going through the same problem or have encountered the 30159 error code, then we suggest you follow our comprehensive troubleshooting guide on “How to resolve QuickBooks error 30159”. We have mentioned eight different solutions that are easy to implement. Moreover, we have also mentioned all the possible reasons behind this technical error code.

QuickBooks Payroll Error 30159

Causes of QuickBooks Error 30159

There are many possible causes that lead to QuickBooks error code 30159, which usually appears when a user tries to download the latest payroll updates to get access to the latest features released by Intuit.

  • EIN is not active.
  • Damage QuickBooks company file.
  • Windows version is not compatible with the QuickBooks application configured in your system.
  • QuickBooks application is not installed correctly, some files might be missing.
  • The system might be infected from malware or malicious viruses.
  • Damage ini file.
  • The payroll subscription is expired or inactive.

What are the after-effects of QuickBooks Payroll Error 30159?

QuickBooks error 30159 is a very annoying technical issue that hinders the update process every time a user attempt to run QuickBooks payroll update. It damages the data, and users might lose important files if it is not fixed on time. Here are a few of the after-effects of error code 30159.

  • The active Program crashes every time.
  • The system stops responding or starts running slow.
  • System Freezes and doesn’t respond to any command.

Easy Troubleshooting Methods to Resolve QuickBooks Error 30159

We understand that technical errors are irritating, and it consumes a lot of time of the user. So, we have mentioned some of the most effective error resolving methods to get rid of QuickBooks Payroll error 30159.

Solution 1: Check the status of your Payroll Subscription

This is one of the most recommended troubleshooting methods, which is highly proven. The Majority of the QuickBooks expert implements this solution to resolve QuickBooks Payroll error 30159. Follow the steps carefully to eradicate the problem.

  • Launch the QuickBooks Application and go to the “Employees tab.”
  • Under the “Employees tab,” choose the option “My Payroll Services.”
  • Further, click on “Manage Service Key.”
  • Now click on “View” to check the status of your service key. Ensure that it is Active.
  • If you found status as Not Active, then click on “Add” and enter the service key that you have received through email.
  • Click on the “OK” button and rerun the application.
  • Further, run the payroll updates once again to check if the error has been resolved.

If the above-mentioned method didn’t work, and the error message is still coming back, then it may be possible that the paysub.ini file is damaged. So, in the next solution, we have mentioned easy steps to rename the paysub.ini file to get rid of error 30159.

Solution 2:  Rename paysub.ini file to remove QB Payroll error 30159

Follow each step attentively without skipping and say goodbye to error code 30159. When you rename paysub.ini file to paysub.old, it restricts QuickBooks from using this while running an update, instead, QB creates a new paysub.ini file.

  • ini is a masked file on Windows, which needs to be searched correctly.
  • To find the Paysub.ini file location, the user needs to change the settings of windows folder options.
  • Go to “My Computer” and click to select.
  • Further, click on Folder and Search Option.
  • Choose the “View” option.
  • Now, click on “Hidden Files and Folders” and check the box adjacent to “Show Hidden Files, Folders and Drives” option.
  • Further, click on the “Apply” button and later click on “OK.”
  • Again, go to My Computer and enter Paysub.in the search bar.
  • Once you find the Paysub.ini file, make the right-click, and choose Rename.
  • Now rename the file extension from .ini to .old.
  • Follow the same process for all the Paysub files found.

Once you have renamed all the files, run the payroll once again to check if the error persists. In case you are still getting the same error message, then switch to the next troubleshooting solutions mentioned.

Solution 3: Restore your system

Restoring the system helps to resolve the technical problems that might be giving rise to QuickBooks Payroll error 30159. It also troubleshoots the error when your system stops responding. Follow each step attentively to get rid of the issue.

  • Log in to your computer system as an “Administrator” using the correct credentials.
  • Launch the start menu by pressing the window key on your keyboard or by clicking on the window icon at the lower-left corner of your computer screen.
  • Now click to select “All Programs.”
  • Further, click on “Accessories.”
  • Click on the system tools option.
  • Further, click on “System Restore” and then click on the “Next” button to proceed.
  • Now go to the option that says “Restore my computer to an earlier time.
  • Click on “Next” to proceed. Keep confirming as prompted until the “confirmation window” appears on the screen.
  • Once the process is completed successfully, restart your system and run the payroll updates once again.

If the error still exists, then it might be possible your window version is not compatible with your QB and needs to be updated. In the next solution, we have mentioned easy steps to install windows updates.

Also Read:- QuickBooks Unrecoverable Error

Solution 4: Install Windows Updates

Follow the steps carefully to download windows updates. If you have recently updated your windows, then you switch to the next troubleshooting method.

  • Press the Window key on your keyboard or click on the window icon from the lower-left corner of your screen.
  • The start menu will appear on your screen. Here you find a small search bar along with different listed options.
  • Type in “Updates” in the search bar and press the “Enter” key on the keyboard.
  • You will find different results based on your search inputs.
  • Click to select “Check updates,” and the system will check if there is any update that needs to be configured.
  • If there is any update that requires, the system will show you on the screen.
  • Download and install all the listed updates.
  • After the process has been completed successfully, restart your computer system, and run the payroll updates once again.

After updating, if you are still encountering QuickBooks Payroll error 30159, then it might be because of some corrupted or damaged files. To find out the real cause, we suggest you run a “Windows file checker.”

Solution 5: Use Windows File Checker

It is one of the effective ways to find out the corrupted files or programs that are hindering any process. Follow the steps carefully and get rid of the issue without breaking a sweat.

  • Log in to your system as “System Administrator” using the correct login credentials.
  • Now press Windows+R key on your keyboard to launch run window, which will appear lower-left corner of your screen.
  • You find a search box adjacent to “Open.” Here type in “CMD” and press the “Enter” key on your keyboard or click on “OK.”CMD window will appear on your screen.
  • Now type “sfc/scannow” and further press the “Enter” key to proceed.
  • Wait for a few seconds to let the process complete. Once the process is completed, follow the onscreen prompts to fix the problems and later restart your system.
  • Further, rerun the payroll updates and check if the issue persists.

If the issue persists, then try implementing the next solution mentioned below.

Solution 6: Perform Disk Cleanup

In some cases, QuickBooks Payroll Error 30159 appears because of full storage. So, most of the pro advisors recommend free up space. Here we have mentioned simple steps to remove unwanted files from your system.

  • Press the Window key on your keyboard or click on the window icon from the lower-left corner of your screen.
  • The start menu will appear on your screen. Here you find a small search bar along with different listed options.
  • Enter “Disk Cleanup” in the search box and press the “enter” key on your keyboard.
  • In this step, click to select the drive you want to clean and further click on “OK.” It will take a few seconds to calculate how much space you will be able to free.
  • Under “Disk Cleanup,” select “Clean up system files.”
  • Further, select the file type and click on the “OK” button.
  • Now restart your system and run the payroll updates once again.

If this solution was not helpful, then it may be possible that the issue lies in your QuickBooks Software. Implement the next solution to get rid of error 30159.

Solution 7:Add EIN to your company file

Implement each step carefully without skipping any of them, as it is important to follow steps in the same hierarchy as listed below.

  • Launch the QuickBooks Application
  • Login to your QB account using the correct credentials
  • Further, click on the “Select Payrolls Option.”
  • Here in this step, choose “Use my existing payrolls service.”
  • “Account Maintenance” window will appear on the screen.
  • On the “Account Maintenance” window, click on the “Add File” option.
  • Now, checkmark the checkbox adjacent to “Add EIN Number.”
  • Further, click on the “Next” tab.
  • Review all the information on the screen and go back to the QuickBooks application.
  • Further, run the payroll updates once again to check if the error has been resolved.

If you were not able to resolve the problem using the troubleshooting method mentioned above, then we suggest you try implementing the last solution and see if it works in your case.

Solution 8: Perform QuickBooks Error Scanning

This is the last troubleshooting method listed in our troubleshooting guide. Most QuickBooks experts consider this method to be the master of all other fixing solutions that are used to eliminate QuickBooks Payroll error 30159.

  • To start the troubleshooting process, download the QuickBooks error 30159 utility and install it in your system.
  • Further, click on the scan button to initiate the error scanning process.
  • Now, click to select Fix QuickBooks Errors once the scanning process is completed.
  • Restart your computer and further run the payroll updates to check if the issue has been fixed.
SolutionEase of ImplementationEffectivenessPotential RisksRecommended for
Solution 1: Check Payroll SubscriptionEasyHighMinimalUsers with an active payroll subscription issue.
Users suspect a damaged paysub.ini file.ModerateModerateLowUsers face multiple system-related issues.
Solution 3: Restore your systemModerateModerateModerateUsers suspect corrupted system files.
Solution 4: Install Windows UpdatesEasyModerateMinimalUsers with outdated Windows versions.
Solution 5: Use Windows File CheckerModerateModerateMinimalUsers suspecting corrupted system files.
Solution 6: Perform Disk CleanupEasyModerateLowUsers with limited disk space.
Solution 7: Add EIN to your company fileModerateModerateMinimalUsers with issues related to EIN.
Solution 8: QuickBooks Error ScanningModerateHighLowUsers seeking an automated solution.

Hopefully, the above-given information is useful for you to get rid of this problem. But if you are still facing any issues with your software and need professional assistance, regarding accounting, bookkeeping & accounting software-related issues then feel free to get in touch with Certified Experts at +1-860-325-4922. The USA-based ProAdvisors will provide all sorts of assistance related to the software 24/7.

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Some Case Studies Around This Error

Case Study 1: Sarah’s Payroll Problem

Background: Sarah is a small business owner who uses QuickBooks for her payroll processing. One day, she attempts to run a payroll update but encounters Error 30159.

Issue: Sarah’s payroll subscription key has become inactive due to an oversight in her QuickBooks account.

Solution: Following Solution 1 (Check Payroll Subscription), Sarah logs into her QuickBooks account, navigates to “Employees,” selects “My Payroll Services,” and finds that her service key is marked as “Not Active.” She adds the correct service key received via email and successfully runs the payroll update.

Case Study 2: John’s Corrupted Paysub.ini File

Background: John, an accountant, experiences Error 30159 when updating payroll in QuickBooks. He suspects that the paysub.ini file might be corrupted.

Issue: John’s paysub.ini file is damaged, causing the payroll update to fail.

Solution: John follows Solution 2 (Rename paysub.ini file) to locate and rename the paysub.ini file to paysub.old. QuickBooks then creates a new paysub.ini file, and John is able to run the payroll update without any issues.

Case Study 3: Lisa’s Windows Compatibility Issue

Background: Lisa recently upgraded her Windows operating system to a new version. After the update, she encounters Error 30159 when trying to update payroll.

Issue: The new Windows version is not compatible with the QuickBooks application she has installed.

Solution: Lisa goes through Solution 4 (Install Windows Updates) to ensure her Windows operating system is up-to-date. After installing the necessary updates, she successfully runs the payroll update without encountering Error 30159.