Resolve payroll error PS038

Learn how to resolve error PS038 when running payroll.

You will see error code: PS038 when running payroll, downloading tax table updates, and if paychecks get stuck as “Online to Send”.

Step 1: Update and back up your QuickBooks data

Before performing the steps below, make sure to update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release and create a backup copy of your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

Step 2: Send your payroll data or usage data

1. Go to Employees, select My Payroll Service, then select Send Usage Data. If you don’t see this option, follow the next step.
2. Go to Employees, then select Send Payroll Data.
3. In the Send/Receive Payroll Data window, select Send All. Enter your payroll service pin if prompted.

If the send is successful, try to get payroll updates again. If you still see the error, proceed to the next steps.

 If the send is unsuccessful, contact us for help. 

Step 3: Identify stuck paychecks

1. Go to Edit,  then select Find.
2. Select the Advanced tab.
3. Go to the Advanced tab. 
4. In the Choose Filter section, select Detail Level from the Filter list. 
5. Select Summary Only.
6. Go back to the Filter list. Scroll down to select Online Status, then select Online to Send.
7. Then select Find, and you'll see paychecks that weren’t sent to Intuit.
   Take note of the "Number of matches" on the Find window. Proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: Verify and Rebuild your data

1. Close the Find window, then run a verify data. This will show the stuck paychecks waiting to be sent.
2. Next, rebuild your data file.
3. Try to download your payroll updates again, if you still see the error, proceed to Step 5.

Step 5: Toggle the stuck paychecks

These are the same paychecks found in Step 3. 

1. Open the oldest stuck paycheck.
2. Select the Paycheck Detail button.
3. In the Review Paycheck window, under Earnings, add the same earnings item as the last earnings item in the list. 
   Example: If the last item in the list is Hourly Rate, add another earnings item named Hourly Rate to the list.
4. A Net Pay Locked message will appear. Select No.
5. Make sure that there are no changes to the tax amounts and net pay. Select OK.
6. If you receive a Past Transaction message, select Yes.
7. Select Save & Close to close the paycheck.
8. Select Yes to the Recording Transaction warning message.
9. Open the paycheck again. Select the Paycheck Details button.
10. Delete the earnings items that you have just added in the Earnings section.
11. Make sure that there are no changes to the tax amounts and net pay. Select OK.
12. Repeat these steps for each of the stuck paychecks found in Step 2. 
13. When finished, repeat Step 1 and download the tax table update again.