Last Updated on January 29, 2025
Personal Identification Number, termed as PIN is a secret access code that secures access to payroll services for your employees, while the same would also be requested at times for adjusting any of your payroll accounts. And now, if your PIN is either lost or has to be changed and you come across this QuickBooks payroll PIN not working. Read this helpful article until its very end for answers to it all. We will discuss, with the help of well-explained steps, how one can resolve issues when the QuickBooks Payroll PIN not working.
These are the invalid pin error messages you will get when trying to send payroll or access the Payroll Tax Center:
- “Invalid PIN: You have entered an incorrect PIN three times. Please try again later”.
- “Problem: The PIN you entered is not valid. Solution: Re-enter your PIN, and it must be between 8 and 12 characters and include at least one letter and one number. Also, ensure that Caps Lock and Num Lock are turned off and that you enter your PIN carefully.”
- “Problem: The PIN has been entered incorrectly too many times. For security reasons, we’ve temporarily locked access to the payroll service. Solution: Wait 15 minutes and then re-enter your pin.”
Are you facing the error QuickBooks payroll PIN not working? And not able to solve it? Consult the QuickBooks help desk at 1.855.738.2784 for further assistance in troubleshooting the problem.
What are those scenarios when we need to provide a PIN?
We would need to give a PIN in the following scenarios:
- Upon transmitting your payroll information to a payroll service.
- You would use this service to print or view the tax that Assisted Payroll Service has filed in the Payroll Tax Center.
- When you want to change any of the bank account information on the Account Maintenance page.
What are the requirements for creating a PIN in QuickBooks?
Follow the PIN requirements before creating the PIN in QuickBooks Submit:
- The PIN should be at least 8-12 characters in length.
- It has to contain at least one numeric digit.
- It requires at least one character.
- Special characters must not be included when creating the QB payroll PIN.
How do I fix My Payroll PIN not working in QuickBooks Desktop after the update?
To resolve the payroll PIN not working in QuickBooks Desktop after updating, we have outlined troubleshooting Steps, and We encourage you to carry out the process in the sequence that we pointed out:
Step 1: Check Your Identity
When you are unable to fix your QuickBooks payroll PIN not working, the very first thing that you should do is verify your identity within the system:
- Go ahead and log into your QuickBooks software. Then click the Employees tab.
- Select ‘My Payroll Service’ and ‘Account/Billing Information’ and enter your current PIN. If you forgot your PIN, use the ‘Forgot your PIN’ link.
- Then, answer a series of security questions you set up when you opened your account.
- Answer all the questions provided below to validate yourself and unlock the system so you can reset the PIN.
After verifying the identity, is the PIN still not working? Go with the other given steps.
Step 2: Delete the Cache and Cookies
At other times, it may be a problem of stored cache and cookies in your browser that triggers “QuickBooks asking to reset Payroll PIN.” It is solved by clearing your browser’s cache and cookies:
- Go to the settings of your browser, look for the section for browsing data under ‘Privacy & Security,’ and select the option to clear cache and cookies.
- This is a process slightly different for each browser.
If you still get the error, follow the steps below.
Step 3: Get the latest version of QuickBooks Software
In the QuickBooks payroll PIN not working case, an older version might be the probable cause for being unable to reset your QuickBooks Payroll PIN:
- Open ‘Help’ under the QuickBooks window, click on the tab ‘Update QuickBooks‘ and press the Update Now tab.
- Select the option for ‘Reset Update,’ followed by clicking the ‘Get Updates’ button.
- After that, restart your software so the changes can be reflected.
This should be able to resolve the error, but if it still persists. Try using other given steps.
Step 4: Reset the PIN Manually
As a last step, if everything else fails for you to recover your QuickBooks Payroll PIN, you are left with calling QuickBooks Data Services Support manually. They have to verify some information about the account owner through a security query. After validation, they then reset the PIN in your QuickBooks Payroll account. Remember, of course, that the PIN you select will be something memorable to you but secure from unauthorized access through your payroll service.
Conclusion
These steps will help you if you face problems like a QuickBooks Payroll PIN not working. However, if you continue to face any problems, then you can directly contact the QB Data Recovery Service for instant help. Remember, only a secure payroll system can lead to smooth business operations.
FAQs
How to reset QuickBooks Payroll PIN?
To reset a QuickBooks Payroll PIN, you can change it in the Payroll Account Management Portal or the Send Payroll Data window.
Payroll Account Management Portal:
– In Employees, choose My Payroll Service
– Pick Account/Billing Information
– Sign in to your Intuit Account
– Go to the Payroll Info section
– Mark update PIN under Payroll service PIN
– Enter your old PIN
– Make a new PIN and then confirm it
– Now, Submit it
Send Payroll Data window:
– Sign in as an admin to the program
You may download the PIN request form, fill it out, and send it to Support. The principal or second-principal officer thereof should sign the form as well as attach a photocopy of the government-issued ID and your company’s EIN.
How do I change my direct deposit PIN in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?
Follow these steps to change the direct deposit in the QuickBooks desktop payroll:
– Login as Admin to your QuickBooks company file.
– Go to Employees > Send Payroll Data.
– Select Send in the Send/Receive Payroll Data window.
– Now, select Forgot your PIN in the Payroll Service PIN window.
– Enter the QuickBooks company file Admin password.
– Select OK.
– Create a new PIN and confirm it.
– Select Submit.
My PIN has been locked out. How do I reset my Payroll PIN in QuickBooks?
To reset your payroll PIN in QuickBooks, follow these steps:
– Select Forgot your PIN in the Payroll Service PIN window.
– Enter your QuickBooks company file Admin password.
– Select OK.
– Create a new PIN and confirm it.

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.