QuickBooks Error 15106 While Updating Payroll – Causes & Fixes

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QuickBooks Error Code 15106 typically occurs during the QuickBooks update process and indicates that the update component is either damaged or inaccessible. Users often see error messages such as “Error 15106: The update program cannot be opened” or “Error 15106: The update program is damaged.”

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This issue generally appears when QuickBooks is unable to access required system files or folders necessary to complete the update. Common reasons include interference from antivirus or security software, insufficient user permissions, or corrupted QuickBooks installation files. As a result, software updates or payroll downloads may fail to install correctly.

Fortunately, this error can be resolved by following a set of proven troubleshooting methods. Below are some of the most effective solutions to fix QuickBooks Error 15106 and restore the update process successfully.

QuickBooks Error Code 15106 is a frustrating issue that typically occurs when users attempt to download or install QuickBooks Desktop updates, payroll updates, or tax table updates. This error prevents the proper installation of updates and can disrupt your accounting workflow. Understanding the causes and implementing the right solutions will help you resolve this error quickly and efficiently.

Understanding QuickBooks Error Code 15106

Error 15106 usually appears with a message stating "The update/patch was not installed successfully" or "Error 15106: QuickBooks has encountered a problem and needs to close." This error is part of the 15000 series of errors related to QuickBooks Desktop updates and digital signature verification issues. When this error occurs, it prevents QuickBooks from completing the update process, leaving your software potentially outdated and vulnerable to issues. QuickBooks Error 15106 blocking your update? Corrupted files can cause serious issues. Call certified QuickBooks experts now at 1-877-818-9848 and fix it fast

What Causes QuickBooks Error Code 15106

Several factors can trigger Error Code 15106 in QuickBooks Desktop. The most common causes include damaged or corrupted QuickBooks installation files that interfere with the update process, incorrect Windows folder permissions preventing QuickBooks from writing update files to the necessary directories, incomplete or corrupted Windows updates affecting system components QuickBooks relies on, interference from antivirus or firewall software blocking the update download or installation, corrupted digital signature files that QuickBooks uses to verify update authenticity, damaged Windows registry entries related to QuickBooks, conflicts with other software running simultaneously during the update process, insufficient user permissions to install software or modify system files, outdated or missing Microsoft .NET Framework components, corrupted temporary files accumulating in the system, damaged Windows Installer service, and network connectivity issues preventing complete download of update files.

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Symptoms of QuickBooks Error 15106

When Error 15106 occurs, you may experience several noticeable symptoms. The most obvious is the error message appearing during the update or installation process, preventing completion. QuickBooks may freeze, become unresponsive, or crash when attempting to download or install updates. You might notice that payroll updates fail to install even after multiple attempts. The software may display warnings about missing or corrupted files. Windows may display errors related to file permissions or access denied messages. Your computer may slow down significantly during the update attempt, and in some cases, Windows itself may crash or display a blue screen error, though this is less common.

Pre-Troubleshooting Steps

Before attempting to fix Error 15106, complete these important preliminary steps. First, create a complete backup of your QuickBooks company file to protect your financial data from any potential loss during troubleshooting. Go to File > Back Up Company > Create Local Backup and save it to a secure location. Ensure you're logged in as a Windows administrator, as many solutions require administrative privileges. Close all running programs except QuickBooks to prevent software conflicts. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall software during the troubleshooting process, remembering to re-enable them afterward. Verify that your internet connection is stable and working properly. Note any recent changes to your system including new software installations, Windows updates, or hardware changes that might have triggered the error.

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Solution 1: Run QuickBooks as Administrator

Insufficient permissions often cause Error 15106 when QuickBooks cannot access necessary system folders. Close QuickBooks completely if it's currently running. Locate the QuickBooks Desktop icon on your desktop or in the Start menu. Right-click on the QuickBooks icon and select "Run as administrator" from the context menu. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to allow the program to make changes. Once QuickBooks opens with administrator privileges, attempt to download and install the updates again by going to Help > Update QuickBooks Desktop. To make this permanent, right-click the QuickBooks icon, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, check "Run this program as an administrator," and click Apply, then OK. This ensures QuickBooks always runs with the necessary permissions to install updates without encountering permission-related errors.

Solution 2: Use QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

Intuit provides a specialized diagnostic tool designed to automatically detect and repair common installation and update issues. Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub from the official Intuit website if you haven't already installed it. The Tool Hub is a comprehensive utility that contains multiple diagnostic and repair tools. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub application and navigate to the Installation Issues tab at the top of the window. Click on the "QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool" button to launch the diagnostic process. The tool will automatically scan your system for issues including damaged Microsoft components like .NET Framework and MSXML, corrupted QuickBooks installation files, Windows registry problems, missing or damaged system files, and digital signature verification issues. This process typically takes 10-20 minutes to complete depending on your system specifications and the number of issues found. Do not interrupt the process even if it appears to freeze temporarily. Once the tool completes its scan and repairs, you'll see a summary message indicating what was fixed. Close the Tool Hub, restart your computer to ensure all repairs take effect, and then open QuickBooks to attempt the update installation again.

Solution 3: Update Windows Operating System

Outdated Windows components can cause compatibility issues with QuickBooks updates. Click on the Start button and select Settings (the gear icon). Navigate to Update & Security, then click on Windows Update. Click "Check for updates" and allow Windows to search for available updates. Install all recommended updates including both important and optional updates. Some updates may require your computer to restart; allow all necessary restarts. After installing Windows updates, also check for optional updates by clicking "View optional updates" if available. Install any driver updates or additional Windows components listed. Once all updates are installed and your computer has restarted, run Windows Update again to ensure there are no additional updates available. Keeping Windows fully updated ensures QuickBooks has all the necessary system components and security certificates to install updates properly. After completing Windows updates, restart your computer one final time before attempting to install QuickBooks updates again.

Solution 4: Repair Microsoft .NET Framework

QuickBooks relies heavily on Microsoft .NET Framework to function properly. Open Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows search bar. Click on "Programs and Features" or "Uninstall a program." Look through the list of installed programs for Microsoft .NET Framework entries. You should see multiple versions installed. Right-click on the highest version of .NET Framework (such as .NET Framework 4.8 or 4.7) and select "Change" or "Repair" if the option is available. Follow the on-screen prompts to repair the installation. If repair isn't available, download the .NET Framework Repair Tool from Microsoft's official website. Run the repair tool and allow it to scan and fix any issues with .NET Framework installations. Alternatively, you can uninstall and reinstall .NET Framework by first uninstalling it through Programs and Features, restarting your computer, then downloading the latest version from Microsoft's website and installing it fresh. After repairing or reinstalling .NET Framework, restart your computer before attempting QuickBooks updates again.

Solution 5: Adjust Folder Permissions

Incorrect folder permissions prevent QuickBooks from writing update files to necessary directories. Navigate to the QuickBooks installation folder, typically located at C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]. Right-click on the QuickBooks folder and select Properties. Go to the Security tab and click the Edit button to change permissions. Select your user account from the list, then check the "Full Control" box in the Allow column to grant complete access. Click Apply and OK. Now navigate to C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year] (note that ProgramData is a hidden folder, so you may need to enable viewing hidden files first). Repeat the permission-granting process for this folder as well. Also apply full control permissions to C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Intuit and C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Intuit folders. After adjusting permissions on all these folders, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect. Open QuickBooks and attempt the update installation again. Proper folder permissions are essential for QuickBooks to save update files and complete the installation process successfully.

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Solution 6: Rename QuickBooks Digital Signature Files

Corrupted digital signature files can prevent QuickBooks from verifying and installing updates properly. Close QuickBooks completely and ensure no QuickBooks processes are running in Task Manager. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year] (remember to show hidden files if you can't see the ProgramData folder). Look for files with .DSN or digital signature extensions. Common files include EntitlementDataStore.ecml and QuickBooksEntitlement.dll. Right-click each of these files and rename them by adding .old to the end of the filename, for example: EntitlementDataStore.ecml.old. This doesn't delete the files but prevents QuickBooks from using the potentially corrupted versions. QuickBooks will automatically create new digital signature files when you next open the program and attempt an update. Navigate to C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year] and look for the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file here as well. Rename this file similarly by adding .old to the end. After renaming all digital signature files, restart your computer, open QuickBooks, and attempt to download and install the updates. The newly generated signature files should resolve verification issues causing Error 15106.

Solution 7: Delete Temporary Internet Files and QuickBooks Cache

Accumulated temporary files and cache can interfere with update downloads and installations. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type %temp% and press Enter. This opens the Windows temporary files folder. Press Ctrl + A to select all files, then press Delete. Some files may be in use and cannot be deleted; skip these and delete everything else. Empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove these files. Now open Internet Explorer (even if it's not your default browser, as QuickBooks uses IE settings), click the gear icon, and select Internet Options. Under the General tab, click Delete under Browsing history. Check all boxes including temporary internet files, cookies, and history, then click Delete. Navigate to C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year] and delete all files in the Components and Cache folders (but keep the folders themselves). Also navigate to C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]\Components and delete cache files here. After clearing all temporary files and cache, restart your computer to ensure all locked files are released. Open QuickBooks and attempt the update process again with a clean cache.

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Solution 8: Perform a Clean Install of QuickBooks

If Error 15106 persists due to extensive file corruption, a clean reinstall may be necessary. First, create a complete backup of your company file by going to File > Back Up Company > Create Local Backup in QuickBooks. Save the backup to an external drive or secure location. Note your QuickBooks license and product numbers found in Help > About QuickBooks Desktop. Take a screenshot or write these down for reinstallation. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub and go to the Installation Issues tab. Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool first to repair any issues. Then click on "QuickBooks Clean Install Tool" which will remove QuickBooks and all its components completely, including registry entries and hidden files. This is more thorough than a standard uninstall. Allow the clean install process to complete, which may take 15-30 minutes. Restart your computer after the tool finishes. Download the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop from your Intuit account or use your installation CD/USB drive. Run the installer with administrator privileges by right-clicking the setup file and selecting "Run as administrator." Follow the installation prompts carefully, entering your license and product information when requested. After installation completes, restart your computer again. Open QuickBooks, restore your company file backup, and configure your preferences. The fresh installation should resolve any deeply corrupted files causing Error 15106.

Solution 9: Configure Windows Firewall and Antivirus

Security software can block QuickBooks from downloading or installing updates. For Windows Firewall, open Control Panel and select System and Security, then Windows Defender Firewall. Click "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall" on the left side. Click "Change settings" at the top, then "Allow another app." Browse to C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year] and add these executable files: QBW32.exe, QBUpdate.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBDBMgrN.exe, and QBCFMonitorService.exe. Ensure both Private and Public network boxes are checked for each program. Click OK to save. For third-party antivirus programs like Norton, McAfee, AVG, Avast, or others, open the antivirus interface and navigate to settings or preferences. Look for sections labeled Exclusions, Exceptions, or Whitelist. Add the entire QuickBooks program folder (C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]) to the exclusion list. Also add the QuickBooks data folder locations: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year] and C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files. Some antivirus programs have web protection features that may block update downloads; temporarily disable these during the update process. After configuring all security software exceptions, restart your computer and attempt the QuickBooks update installation.

Solution 10: Register Windows DLL Files

Unregistered or corrupted Dynamic Link Library files can prevent QuickBooks updates from installing. Open Command Prompt as administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)." Type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each command and waiting for a success message before proceeding to the next: "regsvr32 qbupdate.dll" to register the QuickBooks update component, "regsvr32 msxml3.dll" to register Microsoft XML parser, "regsvr32 msxml4.dll" for XML version 4, "regsvr32 msxml6.dll" for XML version 6, "regsvr32 wuapi.dll" to register Windows Update API, and "regsvr32 wuaueng.dll" for Windows Update engine. Each command should return a message stating "DllRegisterServer in [filename] succeeded." If you receive an error message about a file not being found, that particular version may not be installed on your system, which is acceptable. After registering all available DLL files, close Command Prompt and restart your computer. Open QuickBooks and attempt to install the updates again. Properly registered DLL files ensure all components communicate correctly during the update process.

Solution 11: Create a New Windows Administrator Account

User profile corruption can cause persistent Error 15106 even after trying other solutions. Go to Windows Settings by clicking Start and selecting the gear icon. Navigate to Accounts, then Family & other users. Click "Add someone else to this PC" and follow the prompts to create a new local account. Click "I don't have this person's sign-in information," then "Add a user without a Microsoft account." Enter a username and password for the new account and click Next. After the account is created, click on it and select "Change account type." Change the account type from Standard User to Administrator and click OK. Log out of your current Windows account and log in with the newly created administrator account. Open QuickBooks from this new account and attempt to download and install updates. If Error 15106 doesn't occur in the new user profile, the issue was related to corruption in your original user profile. You can either continue using the new profile or attempt to repair your original profile using Microsoft's profile troubleshooting tools.

Solution 12: Repair Windows Installer Service

A damaged Windows Installer service can prevent QuickBooks updates from installing properly. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog and type "services.msc" then press Enter. Scroll down in the Services window until you find "Windows Installer." Right-click on Windows Installer and select Properties. In the Startup type dropdown, select "Manual" or "Automatic." If the service is not running, click the Start button to start it. Click Apply and OK. Now open Command Prompt as administrator and type "msiexec /unregister" and press Enter. Then type "msiexec /regserver" and press Enter to re-register the Windows Installer service. Close Command Prompt and restart your computer. After restarting, verify the Windows Installer service is running by returning to services.msc and checking its status. If it's stopped, start it again. With the Windows Installer service properly configured and running, open QuickBooks and attempt to install the updates that were previously failing with Error 15106.

Solution 13: Check and Update Internet Explorer

QuickBooks uses Internet Explorer components for updates even if IE isn't your default browser. Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon or press Alt + X to open the Tools menu. Select About Internet Explorer to check your current version. Ensure you're running at least Internet Explorer 11, which is the latest version for Windows 10 and 11. If you need to update Internet Explorer, go to Windows Update and install any available IE updates. Configure Internet Explorer settings by going to Tools > Internet Options. On the Advanced tab, scroll to the Security section and ensure TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 are checked. Click the Connections tab and select LAN settings. Uncheck "Automatically detect settings" and "Use a proxy server" unless your network specifically requires these. Click OK on all windows. Clear IE cache by returning to Internet Options, clicking Delete under Browsing history, checking all boxes, and clicking Delete. Close Internet Explorer, restart your computer, and attempt the QuickBooks update installation again.

Solution 14: Manually Download and Install Updates

If automatic updates consistently fail with Error 15106, try downloading and installing updates manually. Open a web browser and go to the official QuickBooks download page. Log in with your Intuit account credentials. Navigate to the Downloads & Updates section for your specific QuickBooks version (Pro, Premier, Enterprise) and year. Download the latest update file to your desktop or downloads folder. Once the download completes, close QuickBooks completely. Right-click on the downloaded update file and select "Run as administrator." Follow the on-screen installation prompts carefully. The manual installation may take several minutes. Allow the process to complete without interruption. After installation finishes, restart your computer. Open QuickBooks and verify the update was installed successfully by going to Help > About QuickBooks Desktop and checking the version number. Manual installation bypasses some of the automated processes that may be causing Error 15106 in your specific environment.

Solution 15: Check Disk for Errors

Hard drive errors can corrupt files and cause installation failures. Open File Explorer and right-click on your C: drive (or whichever drive QuickBooks is installed on). Select Properties and go to the Tools tab. Under Error checking, click the Check button. You may need administrator privileges. If Windows says the drive has no errors, click "Scan drive" anyway to perform a thorough check. Alternatively, open Command Prompt as administrator and type "chkdsk C: /f /r" (replace C: with your drive letter if different). This command will schedule a disk check for the next restart since the system drive cannot be checked while Windows is running. Type Y to confirm and restart your computer. The disk check will run before Windows starts and may take 30 minutes to several hours depending on your drive size. Allow it to complete fully. After the computer restarts and Windows loads, check the disk check results by opening Event Viewer and looking under Windows Logs > Application. Any bad sectors or file system errors will be repaired. Open QuickBooks and attempt the update installation after the disk check completes.

Solution 16: Suppress Digital Signature Verification Temporarily

As a temporary workaround, you can bypass digital signature verification, though this should only be used if other methods fail. Open QuickBooks and go to Help > About QuickBooks Desktop. Press Ctrl + 1 while on the About QuickBooks screen to open diagnostic information. Note your current product number. Close QuickBooks. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]\Components. Find the file named qbupdate.dll and rename it to qbupdate.dll.old. Download the QuickBooks update manually from the Intuit website as described in Solution 14. Install the update manually with digital signature checking temporarily disabled. After the update installs successfully, restore the qbupdate.dll file by removing the .old extension. This method should only be used as a last resort and is not recommended for security-conscious environments, but it can help you install critical updates when Error 15106 persists despite all other troubleshooting attempts.

Prevention and Best Practices

To minimize the chances of encountering Error 15106 in the future, follow these best practices. Always run QuickBooks as administrator when installing updates by making this setting permanent in the compatibility properties. Keep your Windows operating system fully updated with the latest patches and security updates. Maintain current antivirus software but ensure QuickBooks is properly whitelisted in all security applications. Regularly clean temporary files and cache from your system using Disk Cleanup or third-party cleaning utilities. Perform monthly maintenance on your QuickBooks installation including verifying and rebuilding your company file data. Download and install QuickBooks updates promptly when they become available rather than postponing them. Create regular backups of your QuickBooks company file before installing any updates. Monitor your hard drive health and replace failing drives before complete failure occurs. Avoid installing multiple programs simultaneously, which can cause conflicts. Document successful update procedures for your specific system configuration to reference in the future.

When to Contact Professional Support

If you've systematically tried all the solutions above and Error 15106 continues to prevent updates from installing, it may be time to seek professional assistance. Contact QuickBooks support if the error persists after a clean install of QuickBooks, you receive multiple different error codes simultaneously indicating complex system issues, you're uncomfortable performing advanced troubleshooting like registry editing or command prompt operations, the error affects multiple users on a network indicating potential server issues, you've identified hardware problems like failing hard drives that require replacement, or your system has unique configurations like managed corporate networks that require specialized troubleshooting. Professional support can provide remote assistance to diagnose complex issues that standard troubleshooting cannot resolve.

Conclusion

QuickBooks Error Code 15106 can be challenging to resolve, but by systematically working through these solutions, you should be able to identify and fix the underlying cause. Start with simpler solutions like running QuickBooks as administrator and using the Install Diagnostic Tool before progressing to more advanced methods like clean installations or registry modifications. Always maintain current backups of your company file and document which solutions work for your specific environment. Keeping your system properly maintained with updated Windows components, proper security software configuration, and regular file cleanup will help prevent Error 15106 from recurring. With patience and methodical troubleshooting, you can restore full update functionality to QuickBooks and maintain your accounting software in peak operating condition for smooth business operations.