How do I correct this error: Business Validation Error: You cannot modify a list element that has been deleted. employee

Hi, office167.

You'll want to show all those inactive employees on the list to make sure that you're only editing one employee with the same name. Let me guide you with the steps.

1. Click Workers, then select Employees.
2. Click the drop-down arrow beside Active Employees.
3. Select Inactive Employees.
   

Once confirmed, you can modify the information in your payroll.

For future reference, you can check this article for more information about payroll: Get Started With Payroll.

Let me know if you need anything else. I'll be here to help.

This did not fix the error.  I had to delete the employee and reset up.  The set for setting up payroll in QuickBooks Online where not clear at all.  I was finally told this solution after three phone calls and several transfers.  

Hey, @office167. 

This isn't the impression I want to leave you with, but I'm glad that you were able to get this resolved. The QuickBooks Community is always here to have back and to help your business thrive. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm always here to lend a helping hand. 

Take care! 

If you look through the error details in your recipe, it should specify more on what caused the error, for example: Business Validation Error: The type of name assigned to this transaction (client, vendor, employee) is wrong, or Business Validation Error: Something this action required is no longer available. Another user may have deleted it. based on the information, you may have to reconfigure your recipe, or go to your QBO instance, find the record that is causing the error, and manually rectify it. 

Actually after some searching I discovered that one of the accounts in my Payroll Settings was a default account that I did not have in my chart of accounts.  After updating payroll completed.