How to resolve QuickBooks error 12038

How to resolve QuickBooks error 12038

Are you looking for a way out to fix QuickBooks error 12038 while using QuickBooks software for managing your finance functions?

QuickBooks error 12038 falls in the category of 12xxx series of error.

This error occurs due to many reasons such as incorrect time and date settings, blocking of QuickBooks connection by third-party software as well as using the same versions of QuickBooks software on same system.

When this error occurred, a message like this will be displayed on your screen.

“QuickBooks error 12038: Failed to download the update,”

 This blog will help you in providing detailed information related to QuickBooks desktop error 12038. 

Prerequisites to fix QuickBooks Desktop Error 12038 

Before starting the resolving process of QuickBooks Error 12038, make sure to go through below points 

• Have a active and stable internet connection.
• Sign in as an administrator in your system to create system-level updates.
• Create backup of your QuickBooks company file.
• Closing all current running QuickBooks processes via task manager. 

What are the symptoms of QuickBooks error 12038 

Some of the symptoms of QuickBooks error 12038 so that you can identify are 

• Occurrence of this error while trying to update QuickBooks desktop software.
• Displaying of error message, ‘Failed to download the update.’
• QuickBooks is not responding  while verifying for updates.
• You can easily browse pages but cannot open QuickBooks software due to poor internet connection.
• Unexpected rebooting of updation process or failing without completion.
• Slowing down of system performance while trying to update. 

Prevention of QuickBooks Error 12038 

 You have to follow the points below to prevent QuickBooks error 12038 

• Do not try to run different versions of QuickBooks software on the same system.
• Adding QuickBooks files as an exception in the antivirus software.
• Monitoring of current background processes to avoid update conflicts.
• Restart your system before trying to update.  

Possible causes for the occurrence of QuickBooks Desktop 12038 

Several reasons for which the QuickBooks desktop error 12038 occurs in first place 

• Due to inactive internet connection when user tries to download the recent version of QuickBooks.
• Due to limited access settings of firewall or internet security.
• Using different QuickBooks versions on same operating system.
• Wrong time and date settings in your system.
• Incorrect configuration of internet security. 
  
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Proven solutions to resolve QuickBooks error 12038 

Solution 1 – Updating QuickBooks Desktop to the current version  

Updating the QuickBooks desktop will help in eliminating files and fix the error.

Follow the below steps 

• Start QuickBooks desktop software on your system.
• Go to the Help menu mentioned on top of bar.
• Choose ‘Update QuickBooks Desktop’ option. 

• Now, go to the Update now option.
• Mark the box mentioning ‘Reset update’ option to eliminate old files.
• Tap on ‘Get updates’ to begin downloading the recent version.
• Wait for the downloading process to finish.
• Now, first close and then reopen QuickBooks if asked to do so.
• Read the on-screen given suggestions for installing the updates.
• Check QuickBooks again if the error persists or not. 

Solution 2 – Updating different QuickBooks versions installed on system

Using different versions of QuickBooks makes update services confused leading to this error

Follow the below methods to update all versions while avoiding conflicts related to update process

• Visit the official QuickBooks downloads & updates page.
• Choose your respective country from the given options.
• Select the right product from the given list.
• Choose the correct version of the installed QuickBooks version on your system.
• Tap on the Search button for checking available updates.  

Solution 3 – Updating firewall configuration / security application settings

 Firewall or antivirus settings hampers QuickBooks updates process leading to error 12038 

Some of the methods to update these settings :

• Open firewall / antivirus software from the system.
• Disable your software for at least 30 minutes.
• By the time protection is paused, install your QuickBooks update.
• Go to Start menu.
• Go to windows firewall and choose windows defender firewall with Advanced Security.
• Check Inbound rules mentioned in the left panel.
• Find current rules for QuickBooks applications.
• Enable all the rules in case they are disabled.
• Generate new rules.
• Visit the official QuickBooks documentation process for ports and applications.
• Make sure that TCP ports such as 80 and 443 are allowed for the network.
• Switch to antivirus or security software settings.
• Now, you have to add exceptions like: AutoBackupExe.exe, Dbmlsync.exe, DBManagerExe.exe & FileManagement.exe.
• Now, save all changes made.
• Shut down all the firewall/ antivirus settings.
• Open QuickBooks software again to check for errors. 
  
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Solution 4 – Correct the time and date settings on system

Wrong time and date settings blocks server communication leading to error

Follow the below steps to change the time and date settings to fix the issue :

• Move to the bottom right corner of screen and tap on Date and time area.
• Make sure that time and date are correct.
• Now open the run command.
• Go to Control panel and tap on Clock and Region.
• Choose time and date from the given options.
• Tap on Change time and date and adjust them accordingly. 

• Tap Ok to save the changes.
• Select Change time zone to ensure that right time zone is chosen.
• Close the window.
• Open QuickBooks software again. 

Solution 5 – Shut down of all QuickBooks processes

Implement below steps to finish tasks and reboot QuickBooks :

• Choose ‘Task manager’ option from the system screen.
• Tap on the ‘Processes’ tab to monitor active processes.
• Search all processes related to QuickBooks.
• Choose each QuickBooks processes and End task.
• Go to the Services tab mentioned in the Task manager.
• Find services related to QuickBooks.
• Close all these QuickBooks related services by tapping End Task.
• Shut down all Task manager after completing all tasks.
• Open your QuickBooks software. 

Solution 6 – Configuration of Internet connection settings

Wrong configuration of internet settings prevent QuickBooks functions to run properly during updating process causing error 12038

Go through the below steps to correct the connection settings and fix the issue :

• Start your QuickBooks desktop on your system.
• Go to Help section to choose Internet connection setup.
• Select My computer’s internet connection settings to build the connection.
• Tap Next -> choose Advanced connection settings.
• Move to Advanced tab.
• Tap on Restore advanced settings.
• Choose done to exit the setup window.
• Shut down QuickBooks properly by closing all currently running background processes.
• Open your QuickBooks again.
• Then, install the updates again to check for the error. 

Solution 7 – Creation of new rule for QuickBooks .exe files.

Firewall settings hinders QuickBooks .exe files which are required for updates leading to QuickBooks error 12038.

Follow the below steps to generate firewall rules while allowing QuickBooks connections :

• Search firewall from the search box.
• Choose Windows defender firewall.
• Now open Advanced settings.
• Tap on Inbound rules mentioned in the left panel.
• Choose New rule mentioned in the right panel.
• Select Program as rule type.
• Tap Next.
• Click on Browse.

Choose below QuickBooks .exe files:

• AutoBackupExe.exe
• Dbmlsync.exe
• DBManagerExe.exe
• FileManagement.exe
• IntuitSyncManager.exe
• QBCFMonitorService.exe
• QBDBMgr.exe
• QBLaunch.exe
• Select Allow the connection.
• Tap Next.
• Repeat the above steps for Outbound rules to finish the setup process. 
  
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How to prevent QuickBooks error 12038?

Implement below point to prevent QuickBooks error 12038 :

• Do not install different versions of QuickBooks software on same system.
• Make sure to add exceptions for QuickBooks files in antivirus software.
• Watching background running functions to get rid of update conflicts.
• Before trying to execute major functions or updates, restart your system. 

Conclusion 

We hope that above solutions have worked and QuickBooks error 12038 has been resolved. In case the error still persists then you need technical guidance.

You can connect to ProAdvisor support technical experts to solve the error permanently and resolve your queries.

You can contact them via email id info@proadvisorsupport.com or dialling on their toll-free number +1(325)244-1757 or from chat support.  

FAQs 

 1. How do I fix QuickBooks error 12038?

To resolve this QuickBooks error 12038 issue, you have to correct your time and date settings on your system; have an active and stable internet connection; using recent versions of QuickBooks product updates. You can use QuickBooks tool hub to implement the ‘Quick Fix My Program’ tool while ensuring you have administrative privileges.

2. What are the causes of Error 12038 in QuickBooks Desktop?

Common causes for the existence of QuickBooks error 12038 are wrong time and date settings, incorrect configuration of internet settings such as SSL or proxy settings; blocking of QuickBooks functions either by firewall or antivirus software.

 3. What is the meaning of QuickBooks error message 12038?

QuickBooks error 12038 symbolizes a failure of connection to Intuit servers which avoids software and payroll updates from downloading or installing process. It occurs due to wrong date and time settings on operating system, inactive internet connection settings etc.

 4. Can I use the QuickBooks Repair Tool to fix Error 12038?

No, you cannot use the QuickBooks Repair tool to resolve this QuickBooks error 12038, because it’s not the direct solution as its an internet connection error. Rather you can use QuickBooks Install diagnostic tool from QuickBooks tool hub for resolving QuickBooks installation then solving the error 12038 by correcting the internet settings, correction of time and date settings on your system etc.

 5. Are there any specific network settings to fix Error 12038 in QuickBooks?

 Yes, for fixing QuickBooks error 12038, some of the network settings are :

• Enabling TLS 1.2 in internet while disabling old SSL/TLS versions settings.
• Make sure time and date settings on system are correct.
• Make sure firewall / antivirus settings do not block QuickBooks functions and files i.e., QBW32.exe, QBUpdate.exe etc.