The box that I check for manual payroll is grayed out and I cannot start using manual payroll

Hello there, Carolyn. 

Let's work on this together so you can start using manual payroll.

To enable the manual payroll setup, make sure to clear out the old service keys to resolve the issue. Before that ensure to update your version of QuickBooks so you get the latest fixes and improvements.

Here's how to clear out the old service keys:

1. On the top menu, click Employees and select Payroll Center
2. Press Ctrl + K on your keyboard altogether.
3. Click Remove and and click Yes.

Once done, you can now set up manual payroll.

Here's how: 

1. Go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
2. Select Payroll & Employees, then select the Company Preferences tab.
3. In the QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Features section, select the Full payroll and the Manual Payroll checkboxes.
4. In the Get payday peace of mind window, select Next and then Activate in the confirmation screen.
5. Select OK to apply the changes.
6. Click OK to exit out of the preferences window.

In addition, you can refer to these articles for more details about payroll subscription and account information:

• Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release
• Manage your QuickBooks Desktop subscriptions and services

If you have further concerns about the manual payroll setup in QuickBooks Desktop, feel free to come back here in the Community. We're here to assist you 24/7.

I am a user of Desktop Pro 2021 and I have no desire to update to the online version.  I simply want to run manual payroll. The problem is twofold in that (1) I cannot delete my payroll service key (from when I used to have supported payroll) and return back to manual payroll and (2) Quickbooks will not disable direct deposits so that I can actually delete the payroll service key.  I have been with support for about 90 minutes so far, and the only option that I am given is to update to Quickbooks 2024 which is an online version, but I don't want to do that!  One reason is that we lose internet service regularly where I am and I need to have a standalone version.  HELP!!!

I appreciate the effort you exerted in initially contacting our support team, @Scott13. Sharing with you the available solutions I have is my priority to keep you moving in managing payroll entries on your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) company file.

Since QBDT 2021 has already been decommissioned, access to online services such as payroll services, payment processing, live support, online backup, online banking, technical Technical  Support, and other services has been discontinued.

You're right that the Manual Payroll feature does not need an active payroll and an internet connection to create paychecks for your employees, which is more convenient knowing the condition of your internet service provider. 

The reason why this particular feature is disabled on your end is that once you have activated your payroll service and created direct deposits, whether active or not, we can no longer switch it off directly from our end. To rectify this, I suggest seeking assistance from our Payroll Support Team to remove your payroll service key from your company file and enable the manual payroll feature.

You can refer to this article to contact them through their contact number: Contact Payroll Support.

Moreover, QuickBooks provides several payroll reports that offer a detailed view of your employee's gross pay, deductions, and tax data. To learn more about these reports and how to access them, you can visit this article: Run payroll reports.

The Community is always available whenever you need assistance with managing transactions or payroll entries that are manually created. Take care!