Keeping your QuickBooks Desktop accounting software up-to-date is crucial for optimal performance and to access the latest features, security enhancements, and tax table revisions. Intuit regularly releases these updates to ensure a seamless and efficient user experience, and typically, installing them directly within QuickBooks is straightforward. However, it’s not uncommon for users, particularly those less familiar with intricate computer operations, to encounter an unexpected roadblock during this process. A specific “update-oriented error” can surface, commonly known as QuickBooks Payroll Error 15215. This particular issue frequently emerges when you’re in the middle of updating payroll information or releasing critical maintenance reports. The core problem behind Error 15215 is often a disruption in communication, where your Windows operating system stops responding to the server, limiting QuickBooks’ ability to complete the update verification process. This can lead to significant delays in payroll processing and other essential financial tasks. When faced with such a disruptive error, trying to diagnose and resolve it independently can be time-consuming and complex. That’s precisely why seeking professional assistance can be invaluable. Our dedicated team of experts is ready to get in touch and provide comprehensive support, guiding you through every step to resolve this payroll update error swiftly and effectively.
What is QuickBooks Error Code 15215?
It is a common update error which occurs when there is any payroll update going on. Also this error occurs during the maintenance release. Due to this error, the QuickBooks database server might not respond properly and may cause an impediment while accessing the system. In this post, we are going to let you know about the manual process to rectify the QuickBooks Error code 15215.
This error code means that the server isn’t responding. It implies that the user is not able to verify the digital signature. Due to this error code, the further download or update process of payroll would be restricted. If you want to troubleshoot this error, you need to proceed as per the directions given in this article. You may notice the following error message on your computer screen when this error encounters:

| Error | Description |
|---|---|
| Problem | Error 15215: Unable to verify digital signature. |
Methods to Troubleshoot the QuickBooks Update Error 15215
Now, let us go through the viable troubleshooting fixes to uproot this payroll error 15215 in QuickBooks desktop and ensure a successful QuickBooks update process.
Solution 1. Running the application as Administrator
- Ensure that before you run the software as an administrator, there is No QuickBooks window currently open.
- Go to the desktop icon of QuickBooks Software, and right-click on it.
- A list appears, choose the “Run as administrator” option.

- A pop-up window will appear that will request your permission so that the application can make changes to your computer, Hit on the Yes option.
Solution 2: Fix desktop application conflicts
- At first, close the QuickBooks program.
- Perform right-click on the QuickBooks Startup icon. Later, choose the Run as Administrator icon.

- In the confirmation pop-up, it onto the Yes icon.
- Ensure that the problem resolved.
Solution 3: Resolve the Anti-spyware Blocks Running Application

- The user need to change or alter the anti-virus program settings to exempt exe files & qbupdate.exe & domains: QuickBooks.com, Intuit.com, and Payroll.com.
- After the exemption, the anti-malware program will not restrict the QB updates or payroll downloads.
Solution 4. Check the TLS Settings
- Close any existing QuickBooks windows and open Microsoft Edge.
- Hit on Tools, and opt for Internet Option, and go to the Advanced Tab.
- Next, go to the Advanced Settings option and scroll down to different TLS options. Click on Reset.
- Ensure that Use TLS 1.0 check box is selected.
- Remove the selection from Use TLS 1.2 and Use TLS 1.1.

- Now Select OK, and close the Microsoft Edge window.
- After you have rebooted your system, restart the QuickBooks Desktop software.
Solution 5. Restart Windows in Selective Start-up
- Initially, close any existing QuickBooks windows
- Head to the start menu, and type Run or use the shortcut key Windows + R keys.
- The Run window will appear. In the Type here box, type MSConfig, and hit OK.

- A Configuration window appears. Choose the Selective Startup, and unselect Load Startup.

- Also, hit on Save, and tap the OK tab.
- Restart your computer and open the QuickBooks software.
- Download the latest new tax table, and again open the System Configuration Window.
- After that choose the Normal Startup, and then opt for the OK button.
- Finally, reboot the computer again.
Solution 6: Solve Digital Signature Verification Issues
- In the Windows Search option, locate the QBW32.exe file.
- Perform right-click on the file and “Properties” tab.
- Proceed to the Digital Signature tab, and choose Intuit Inc.
- After that hit on the Details icon & then, tap on the View Certificate in the Digital Signature screen.
- Then click on the Install in the Certificate screen.

- Now hit on the Next icon then, the Finish tab.
- Restart the computer and then, open the QuickBooks program again.
Solution 7: Configure the Firewall to resolve this error
- Initially, launch the Control Panel, after accessing some from the Start menu.
- Now, proceed to Advanced Settings once you are in the Windows Firewall.
- Upon tapping the Inbound Rules, the New Rule option shows up. Opt for it.

- Pick the Port and then, tap on Next.
- Now, choose ‘TCP‘ and type in the port number of the QuickBooks version.
- Afterward, opt for ‘Allow the Connection’ after hitting on Next.

- Again, tap on Next and provide this new rule a convenient name.
- In order to save the altered settings, opt for Finish.
- You are similarly required to Create outbound rules by conforming to similar steps.
Solution 8: Go with the manual QuickBooks update procedure
- The manual procedure to update QuickBooks requires navigating to the Intuit website, and from there, making a move to the downloads page.
- Provide all the relevant details related to the QuickBooks version and year.

- Now, download the corresponding updates and get them installed by heading to your system download folder, and then double-clicking the downloaded file.
- This will update QuickBooks Desktop, and Error 15215 will be bypassed.
Get instant help from our experts
Within the ambit of the current discussion, we traversed the multiple fixes for QuickBooks Error message 15215, and also apprised QB users of the different causes behind this update error. For technical help, call our QuickBooks payroll error support experts at 1-888-368-8874.
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