If your QuickBooks payroll update is throwing Error 15311 or Error 31600, you're probably staring at a frozen update screen right before payroll needs to run. Both errors are common after Intuit pushes payroll table updates, and both have reliable fixes.

Quick Fix: Error 15311 (Signature Verification Failed)

Error 15311 means QuickBooks can't verify the digital signature on the downloaded update file. Usually caused by a corrupted download or Windows blocking the certificate check.

Step 1: Run QuickBooks Tool Hub

Download it from Intuit's Tool Hub page if you don't have it.

  1. Open Tool Hub
  2. Go to Program Problems
  3. Click Quick Fix my Program
  4. Restart QuickBooks and try the payroll update again

Step 2: Manually Download the Payroll Update

If Tool Hub didn't clear it:

  1. In QuickBooks, go to Employees > Get Payroll Updates
  2. Check Download Entire Payroll Update
  3. Click Update

If that still fails, download the update file directly from Intuit's payroll update page and install it manually.

Quick Fix: Error 31600 (Payroll Subscription or Connectivity)

Error 31600 means QuickBooks can't reach Intuit's servers to validate your payroll subscription. This often surfaces after a Windows update changes firewall or TLS settings.

Step 1: Confirm your payroll subscription

  1. Go to Employees > My Payroll Service > Account/Billing Information
  2. Confirm your subscription is active and not expired
  3. Sign out and back in

Step 2: Clear cached credentials

Open Credential Manager:

Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials

Remove any entries for Intuit or QuickBooks, then relaunch QuickBooks.

Step 3: Re-register QuickBooks

Close QuickBooks, then right-click the QB shortcut and run as administrator, or run this from an elevated command prompt (replace [year] with your version):

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks [year]\QBW32.exe" /reregserver

Restart and try the payroll update again.

If Neither Fix Worked

Run a repair install:

  1. Open Tool Hub > Installation Issues
  2. Click Repair your QuickBooks
  3. Follow the prompts, then restart

For persistent Error 15311, Windows Defender or a third-party AV may be blocking the signature check. Temporarily disable real-time protection, run the payroll update, then re-enable.

What Causes These Errors

Error 15311 is a download integrity check failure. QuickBooks verifies a digital signature on every payroll file it downloads. If the file is incomplete, the download was interrupted, or the Windows certificate store is out of date, the check fails.

Error 31600 is a connection or auth error. It surfaces when QuickBooks can't handshake with Intuit's servers, whether due to a lapsed subscription, a proxy, or a TLS mismatch from a recent Windows patch.

Prevent It Next Time

  • Keep QuickBooks updated to the latest release, not just payroll tables
  • Don't run payroll updates immediately after Patch Tuesday if you're short on troubleshooting time
  • Make sure your payroll subscription auto-renews before the expiration date

QuickBooks problems eating into payroll day? Rain City Techworks supports QuickBooks Desktop and Online for businesses in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Get in touch if your team needs a hand.