I can help you get your service key to activate your payroll service, @chenry26.
There are lots of possible reason why you're having an error when trying to activate your payroll subscription. Here are some of the possible reasons:
- Inactive payroll subscription
- More than one active payroll agreement with an inactive Direct Deposit agreement
- Data damage
- Incorrect Service Key
- The version of QuickBooks Desktop you are using does not support your version of Windows
To resolve this, make sure to have the latest QuickBooks Desktop release to have the latest features and fixes. For detailed guidance on how to do it manually or automatically, check this article: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. Then, reboot your computer.
Once done, re-enter your service key from the Employees menu. To enter the service key in QuickBooks Desktop:
- Go to the Employees menu, select Payroll, and click Enter Service Key.
- Select to add this file to your payroll subscription. Choose Skip to go to the Service Key window, or Add File to add this file to an existing Payroll subscription.
- Click on Add and enter the service key, and select Next.
- A confirmation message appears.
- Select Finish.
Check out this article for detailed guidance getting your service key: Activate QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.
Here's also an article to help you get your service key: Automated Service Key Retrieval tool.
Reach out to me whenever you have additional questions with your service key. I'm here ready to help you. Take care and have a great day.