If you’re seeing PS038 and don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. This error looks technical but the fix is actually simple once you know what to look for. Follow these steps in order and you’ll have payroll running again.
Why This Happens
QuickBooks stores payroll data in a send queue. When a paycheque gets stuck in this queue — usually because of a dropped connection — the queue gets corrupted and PS038 fires every time you try to update. Clearing the stuck item resets the queue.
Step-by-Step Fix
- In QuickBooks, go to Employees > Payroll Center.
- Click the Send/Receive Data button at the bottom of the Payroll Center.
- If a window appears showing pending items, note them and click Cancel.
- Go to Employees > Edit/Void Paychecks and search for paycheques dated in the last 60 days.
- Find any paycheque showing Sending in the Online Status column. Open it.
- Uncheck Send Payroll Data and click Save.
- Return to Payroll Center and run the update again.
Extra Tips to Prevent This in Future
- Write down the details of the stuck paycheque before clearing it — you may need to re-enter the send data afterwards.
- If multiple paycheques are stuck, clear them all before retrying the update.
- PS038 can also indicate a problem with your payroll subscription status. Log in to your Intuit account online to verify the subscription is active.
Still Having Trouble?
If you’ve followed every step above and QuickBooks still isn’t cooperating, the issue may
run deeper than a configuration problem. A corrupted or invalid license key can trigger a
surprising range of errors — including the one you just experienced.
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