QuickBooks® Error 15103: Update or Payroll Error
Quick Answer:
Error 15103 occurs when QuickBooks® cannot download updates or payroll files due to SSL/TLS security settings or firewall blocking. Fix it by updating Internet Explorer SSL/TLS settings, clearing download cache, and running QuickBooks® as administrator.
What is QuickBooks® Error 15103?
QuickBooks® Error 15103 is an update and payroll download error that occurs when QuickBooks® Desktop cannot establish a secure connection to Intuit's servers. This typically happens because QuickBooks® uses Internet Explorer's engine for downloads, and if IE's SSL/TLS settings are outdated or incorrectly configured, the connection fails. The error can also be caused by antivirus/firewall blocking the connection.
Error 15103: Update or payroll error
QuickBooks® cannot download updates or payroll files due to internet connectivity or SSL/TLS certificate issues.
Symptoms:
- Error 15103 when downloading QuickBooks® updates
- Payroll updates fail to download
- Error message about internet connection or SSL
- Update hangs and eventually fails
Resolution Steps:
- 1.Check internet connection
- 2.Update Internet Explorer SSL/TLS settings
- 3.Clear QuickBooks® download cache
- 4.Run QuickBooks® as administrator
Diagnostic order
Separate the connection from the permission
Error 15103 appears while QuickBooks® downloads a program or payroll update. Several different layers produce it, so test them one at a time and keep what each one tells you.
- 1
Record
Note the exact time and message, and whether program updates, payroll updates, or both fail.
Evidence: One timestamp that can be matched against security logs.
- 2
Check the protocol
Confirm TLS 1.2 is enabled in Windows Internet Options, and write the current settings down before changing anything.
Evidence: The original protocol settings, saved.
- 3
Reset the download
Use Help → Update QuickBooks® Desktop → Update Now → Reset Update, then Get Updates, instead of deleting shared ProgramData folders.
Evidence: A fresh download attempt with its own result.
- 4
Check permission and blocks
Retest once with QuickBooks® launched as administrator, and ask the security administrator to review endpoint, proxy, and firewall events for the recorded time.
Evidence: Either a named block event or a clean log.
First Checks for Error 15103
Start here
- Open Internet Explorer (even if you don't normally use it)
- Go to Settings (gear icon) → Internet Options
- Click Advanced tab
- Scroll to Security section
- Confirm TLS 1.2 is enabled; do not enable deprecated protocols
- Click Apply → OK
- Close QuickBooks®, right-click icon → Run as administrator
- Try updating again
Detailed Solution Steps
- Update Internet Explorer SSL/TLS Settings.
Configure secure connection settings for QuickBooks® downloads:
- Open Internet Explorer (Start Menu → search for "Internet Explorer")
- Click the gear icon (Settings) → Internet Options
- Click the "Advanced" tab
- Scroll down to the "Security" section
- Uncheck: Use SSL 2.0 and Use SSL 3.0 (outdated and insecure)
- Confirm TLS 1.2 is enabled
- Keep TLS 1.2 enabled; do not enable or disable other protocols solely for this error
- Click "Apply" then "OK"
- Close and reopen Internet Explorer
Important: Some QuickBooks® Desktop releases use Windows Internet Options for connected services. Record the original settings and change only what current Intuit documentation requires for your version.
- Reset the QuickBooks® Update Download.
Use the in-product reset so QuickBooks® downloads a fresh update package without deleting shared ProgramData folders:
- Open QuickBooks® as the Windows administrator for this test
- Go to Help → Update QuickBooks® Desktop
- Select the Update Now tab
- Select Reset Update
- Select Get Updates and let the download complete
- Restart QuickBooks® and install the update when prompted
- Return to the standard launch method after testing
- Review Antivirus and Firewall Events.
Keep security controls enabled and identify a specific block before changing policy:
- Record the failed update time and exact Error 15103 message
- Ask the security administrator to inspect endpoint, quarantine, proxy, and firewall events for that time
- Verify any blocked executable is Intuit-signed and belongs to the installed QuickBooks® year
- Use Intuit's current version-specific executable and connectivity list before adding a narrow exception
Common QuickBooks® Paths to Verify—Not a Blanket Exclusion ListC:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks® [Year]\QBW32.exeC:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks® [Year]\QBW.exeC:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks® [Year]\QBW32.exe- Apply only the administrator-approved rule that corresponds to the recorded block event
- Retest once and confirm the expected protection remains enabled
Note: Do not disable endpoint protection or create a broad QuickBooks® folder exclusion. Narrow rules reduce risk and make the result auditable.
- Run QuickBooks® as Administrator.
Give QuickBooks® elevated permissions to download files:
- Close QuickBooks® if it's open
- Find the QuickBooks® icon on your desktop or Start Menu
- Right-click the QuickBooks® icon
- Select "Run as administrator"
- Click "Yes" when prompted by User Account Control
- Open your company file
- Go to Help → Update QuickBooks® Desktop
- Click "Update Now" and start the download
- Manual Update (If Automatic Fails).
Download and install updates manually from Intuit:
- Open your web browser and go to Intuit's website
- Navigate to QuickBooks® Desktop Downloads section
- Select your QuickBooks® year and edition
- Download the latest update file
- Close QuickBooks®
- Run the downloaded update file as administrator
- Follow the installation wizard
- Restart your computer after installation
Why Does Error 15103 Occur?
Common Causes
- Outdated SSL/TLS Settings: Internet Explorer using old SSL 2.0/3.0 instead of TLS 1.2 required by Intuit servers
- Antivirus Blocking: Security software blocking QuickBooks® from connecting to Intuit servers
- Corrupted Download Cache: Damaged temporary files preventing new downloads
- Internet Connection Issues: Unstable or proxy-configured connection interfering with downloads
- Insufficient Permissions: QuickBooks® running without administrator rights needed for downloads
How to Prevent Error 15103
Best Practices:
- Keep Internet Explorer updated even if you don't use it as your main browser
- Add QuickBooks® to antivirus exclusions during initial installation
- Maintain stable internet connection - avoid updating over VPN when possible
- Always run QuickBooks® as administrator for update downloads
- Schedule updates during off-hours when network traffic is low
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes QuickBooks® Error 15103?
Error 15103 occurs when QuickBooks® cannot download updates or payroll files due to internet connectivity issues, SSL/TLS certificate problems, or firewall/antivirus blocking the connection to Intuit servers.
Why does QuickBooks® use Internet Explorer settings?
QuickBooks® Desktop uses the Internet Explorer engine for downloading updates and payroll, even if you use a different browser. That's why IE SSL/TLS settings must be configured correctly.
Can I download updates manually for Error 15103?
Yes, you can manually download QuickBooks® updates from the Intuit website and install them if automatic updates fail. However, fixing the underlying SSL/TLS issue is recommended for future updates.
Do I need Internet Explorer installed for QuickBooks®?
Yes, QuickBooks® Desktop requires Internet Explorer components to be installed on Windows for updates and payroll downloads, even though Microsoft Edge has replaced IE as the default browser.
Related Resources
Need Professional Help?
If you're still experiencing Error 15103 after following these steps, or need help with payroll configuration, our QuickBooks® experts are here to help.
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