Error PS036 appears when QuickBooks cannot validate your payroll subscription. The error message may say:
"We can’t confirm your payroll subscription. Please try again later or contact QuickBooks Payroll Support."
This error prevents users from:
Processing payroll
Downloading payroll updates
Accessing payroll tax forms
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QuickBooks requires a stable internet connection to verify payroll subscriptions.
If your payroll subscription has expired, QuickBooks cannot validate it.
Using an outdated or unsupported QuickBooks version may trigger this error.
Intuit’s servers may be down for maintenance or experiencing outages.
Corrupted QuickBooks files can interfere with payroll services.
Security software may block QuickBooks from connecting to Intuit’s servers.
Wrong date/time settings can disrupt payroll authentication.
✅ Steps:
Ensure your internet is stable.
Restart your router/modem.
Try switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection.
✅ Steps:
Go to Employees > My Payroll Service > Account/Billing Information.
Check if your subscription is active and paid.
Renew if expired.
✅ Steps:
Open QuickBooks and go to Help > Update QuickBooks Desktop.
Click Update Now and install all updates.
Restart QuickBooks.
✅ Steps:
Download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub.
Open it and go to Company File Issues > QuickBooks File Doctor.
Let it scan and repair any issues.
✅ Steps:
Open your antivirus/firewall settings.
Temporarily disable it and try processing payroll again.
If it works, add QuickBooks as an exception.
✅ Steps:
Visit Intuit’s Service Status page (https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-articles/quickbooks-service-status).
If servers are down, wait and retry later.
✅ Steps:
Go to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Date and Time.
Ensure the date, time, and time zone are correct.
✅ Steps:
Back up your company file.
Uninstall QuickBooks via Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall.
Reinstall the latest version from Intuit’s website.
A: It means QuickBooks cannot verify your payroll subscription due to internet issues, expired subscriptions, or server problems.
A: Try these steps:
✔ Check internet connection.
✔ Update QuickBooks.
✔ Verify payroll subscription status.
✔ Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
A: This could be due to:
A delay in Intuit’s system.
Incorrect billing details.
Contact QuickBooks Support for verification.
A: Yes. Temporarily disable your firewall/antivirus to check.
A:
Go to Employees > Get Payroll Updates.
If automatic updates fail, download them manually from Intuit’s website.
A: It can help if the issue is due to corrupted files. Always back up your data first.
A: Wait a few hours and try again. Check Intuit’s Service Status page for updates.
A: Call QuickBooks Payroll Support at 1-855-478-6082 or use live chat on their website.
A: Yes. Ensure your computer’s date, time, and time zone are correct.
A: Contact QuickBooks Support for advanced troubleshooting.
QuickBooks Payroll Error PS036 is usually caused by internet issues, expired subscriptions, or server problems. The best fixes include:
✔ Checking internet stability
✔ Updating QuickBooks
✔ Verifying payroll subscription status
✔ Running QuickBooks File Doctor
If the issue persists, reinstalling QuickBooks or contacting support may be necessary. Keeping your software updated and ensuring a stable internet connection can prevent this error in the future.