Easily Fix QuickBooks Payroll Internet Connection Error Read Error

Last Updated on October 9, 2024

Are you getting the internet connection read error in QuickBooks payroll? The error prevents users from performing the payroll operations as they can’t establish an internet connection. It can occur due to wrong internet connection settings, lack of latest QuickBooks updates, or a misconfigured Windows firewall. In this article, we will learn how to fix QuickBooks Payroll Internet Connection Error Read Error with the help of effective solutions.

Internet connectivity problems can be very frustrating for users. This blog will help you resolve the internet connection error while running QuickBooks payroll. However, if you aren’t tech-savvy or don’t want to self-troubleshoot the error, you can contact our QuickBooks professionals at 1.855.738.2784 to get immediate guidance on how to resolve the error.

Leading Causes for QuickBooks Payroll Internet Connection Error Read Error

Before troubleshooting this error, let’s learn why it occurs for better understanding. There can be many reasons why you encounter internet connection errors while running payroll, which are as follows –

1. Your system’s date and time settings are incorrectly set, which can cause issues while connecting to the internet.
2. Your browser’s cache and cookies are causing performance problems. 
3. The Windows firewall or your anti-virus software is configured to block QuickBooks from accessing the internet.
4. Intuit is not considered a trusted website in your default web browser.
5. The connection settings are incorrect, and QuickBooks is not using your system’s internet connection.
6. Your QuickBooks Desktop is not updated, and the payroll functions lack the most recent updates.
7. Your QuickBooks Desktop payroll subscription status might be inactive or expired. 
8. Revocation of the server connection check can be another reason for the QuickBooks payroll internet connection Error read error.
9. Your QuickBooks Desktop’s security certificate has expired or is unverified in the system.

These are the leading causes of internet connection errors in QuickBooks payroll. Now, let’s learn how to fix this error effectively by using the practical solutions in the next section.

Solutions to Resolve QuickBooks Payroll Internet Connection Error

You must resolve the internet connection error; otherwise, you won’t be able to operate the payroll functions in QB. To resolve the payroll internet connection error, first restart your PC,  as restarting the computer can help fix general issues. If you still encounter the QuickBooks Payroll Internet Connection Error Read Error, perform the practical solutions mentioned below – 

Solution 1 – Check Your PC’s Date and Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings on your computer can be a reason why you are facing an internet connection error while running QuickBooks payroll. Thus, you must ensure the date and time are correctly set by undertaking the following steps –

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run window, then input “Control Panel” in the search box.
2. Select Clock and Region, then pick a date and an hour and select the Change date and time option.
3. Click OK to update the time and date to reflect your local time, and if your time zone is inaccurate, click Change Time Zone.

After the date and time settings are correctly set, rerun QuickBooks Desktop. However, if the QuickBooks payroll internet connection Error read error persists, follow the next troubleshooting solution.

Solution 2 – Download QuickBooks and Payroll Tax Table Updates

A lack of proper updates can be one of the leading reasons for the internet connection read error. Thus, you must download and install the most recent QuickBooks Desktop updates on your PC. Once done, download the latest payroll tax table updates by using the following steps –

1. Navigate to the Employees menu, then click Get Payroll Updates and select the Download Entire Update option. 
2. Further, select Update, and once the download process is complete, you will see an information window confirming the success.

After downloading the latest updates, rerun QuickBooks payroll and check if you can connect to the internet. However, if the QuickBooks Payroll Internet Connection Error Read Error persist, follow the next troubleshooting solution.

Solution 3 – Review QuickBooks’ Internet Connection Settings

Sometimes, QuickBooks might not be set to use the PC’s internet connection. This misconfigured setting can cause the internet connection read error in QuickBooks payroll. To fix the error, you must check the internet connection settings in QB in the following manner –

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop, then navigate to the Help menu and click the Internet Connection Setup option. 
2. Once the program connects to the internet, select the “Use my computer’s Internet connection settings to establish a connection” option and click Next.
3. Lastly, click Done and select Advanced Connection Settings if you wish to change the internet settings.

After the settings are changed, check if the internet connection error in payroll is resolved. However, if you are still unable to establish an internet connection while using QuickBooks payroll, follow the next solution.

Solution 4 – Activate the Payroll Subscription in QuickBooks

An inactive or expired payroll subscription can prevent users from operating the payroll functions. To fix the internet connection read error, you must reactive your payroll subscription by implementing the following steps –

1. Open the company file in QuickBooks Desktop, then move to the Employees menu and select My Payroll Service. 
2. Now, click Account/Billing Info and sign in using your Intuit Account log-in to access the QuickBooks Account page.
3. Open the Status tab, then click Resubscribe and go through the on-screen steps to reactivate your payroll subscription.

After your payroll service is activated, rerun QuickBooks payroll and check if the error is fixed. However, if the internet connection read error in QuickBooks Desktop keeps appearing, perform the next solution. 

Solution 5 – Change the Firewall Settings

QuickBooks might be unable to access the internet due to firewall obstructions. If your Windows firewall is configured to block or restrict QuickBooks, you won’t be able to establish a connection while using payroll. Hence, you must reconfigure the Windows firewall settings to remove blockages from QuickBooks.

After the settings are changed, try to reassess the internet while using payroll. But if you still encounter QuickBooks Payroll Internet Connection Error Read Error, perform Solution 6 below.

Solution 6 – Manually Add QuickBooks Desktop Security Certificate

Since the QB Desktop security certificate contains info that helps establish secure network connections, an invalid certificate can lead to internet connection issues. To manually add the security certificate in QB Desktop, use the following steps –

1. Right-click the QuickBooks icon on your desktop, click Properties, and go to the Shortcut tab.
2. Click Open File Location, then hit OK and find the QBW32.EXE file.
   Note: You can also access this location manually by navigating to the following path -C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks 20XX.
3. Right-click the QBW32.EXE file, choose Properties, and go to the Application File Properties window.
4. Select Digital Signature, pick one of the entries in the Signature List, and select Details.
5. Open the Digital Signature Details window, click View Certificate, and let the Certificate window open.
6. From the General tab, move to the Certificate window and click Install Certificate.
7. Open the Certificate Import Wizard welcome screen, then ensure that the Store Location is on Current User and click Next.
8. Go to the Certificate Store window (Windows will have already selected the certificate store based on the type of certificate), and hit Next & Finish.

Once the security certificate is added, rerun QuickBooks and try to perform the payroll functions. If you still get the payroll internet connection error in QuickBooks Payroll, follow the next solution.

Solution 7 – Add Intuit as a Trusted Site in Your Web Browser

You can’t establish an internet connection if your browser treats Intuit as a non-trusted site. To add Intuit as a trusted site in Microsoft Edge, use the following steps –

1. Click Settings and More, go to Settings, and move to the left pane.
2. Select Cookies and Site Permissions, then click Manage and Delete Cookies and Site Data, and go to the Allow section.
3. Click Add, then enter intuit.com, and hit Add to save it as a trusted site.

If you use another browser, add Intuit as a trusted site by following their specific steps. Once Intuit is added, rerun QB payroll and check if the payroll internet connection error is fixed. If not, follow Solution 8 below to address the error.

Solution 8 – Flush the DNS

Deleting the DNS helps clear the IP addresses and DNS entries, which can fix internet connection issues. To flush the DNS, implement the following steps –

1. Press the Windows + R keys to access the Run command and type “CMD” in the command prompt.
2. Further, click OK, enter “ipconfig /flushdns,” and hit Enter to flush the DNS.

Once done, check if the QuickBooks payroll internet connection error is resolved; otherwise, move to the next solution.

Solution 9 – Clear the Web Browser Cache and Cookies

You can remove the browser cache and cookies by using the following steps in Microsoft Edge –

1. In Microsoft Edge, go to Settings, then click the Privacy option.
2. Now, select Clear Browsing Data, and press the Ctrl + Shift + Del keys.

If you use another web browser, clear their cache and cookies by following their respective steps. After the cache and cookies are removed, rerun QuickBooks payroll. If you can’t establish an internet connection, move to the next solution.

Solution 10 – Reinstall QuickBooks

If none of the above solutions help, try reinstalling QuickBooks. This is because problems with the program installation can lead to issues while running payroll. You can use the QuickBooks Clean Install Tool to install a fresh software version. 

Once the software is reinstalled, run it and check if you can access the internet connection while using payroll to ensure the error is fixed. 

Conclusion

We hope this detailed troubleshooting guide helps you address QuickBooks payroll internet connection Error read error. However, if the solutions don’t help and the error still occurs, you can get immediate assistance from our QB experts. You can contact our team at 1.855.738.2784, and they will promptly help you resolve the internet connection error and other related issues.

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Edward Martin

Edward Martin is a Technical Content Writer for our leading Accounting firm. He has over 10 years of experience in QuickBooks and Xero. He has also worked with Sage, FreshBooks, and many other software platforms. Edward’s passion for clarity, accuracy, and innovation is evident in his writing. He is well versed in how to simplify complex technical concepts and turn them into easy-to-understand content for our readers.