Get the detailed methods to resolve QuickBooks Error 15271
Users may encounter QuickBooks Error code 15271 repeatedly when there is a validation issue with the files. Hence, we will learn how to resolve QuickBooks 15271 error and know the causes behind this error.
QuickBooks is a preferred accounting software by many small and medium level enterprises. Also, it helps them manage bills, and business payments, automate many payroll functions, and others. However, it also has lots of bugs, known as QuickBooks Error. Today we are dealing with one such issue: QuickBooks Error 15271.
What is QuickBooks Payroll Error 15271?
Whenever QuickBooks Error code 15271 occurs, users might see this error message on the screen:
Error 15271: The payroll update did not completed successfully. A file cannot be validated.
OR
Error 15271: The update did not complete successfully. A file cannot be validated.
Generally, users of the QuickBooks Pro/ Desktop/ Payroll version have to encounter this error.

Also Read: QuickBooks Error Code 80070057
Why Does QuickBooks Error 15271 occur?
This error may occur due to the following reasons:
- The windows registry is corrupted because of any changes to QuickBooks software.
- The SSL of the Internet Explorer browser is not correct.
- Also, corrupt/ Incomplete download/installation of QuickBooks Pro application.
- Your system is under malware/ virus attack.
- Security system/ anti-virus/ any other program has removed or restricted the QuickBooks files due to security reasons.
Ways to Fix QuickBooks Error Code 15271
Not just one, but there are multiple ways to fix QuickBooks Desktop update error 15271. However, make sure you prepare a backup of the company file. To prepare a backup follow this path:
Open QuickBooks Desktop–> File menu–> Backup Company–> Create Local Backup.
After generating the backup file, follow these methods to resolve this error of QuickBooks 15271.
Solution 1: Turn Off the UAC in Windows (User Account Control)
For Windows Vista

- Firstly, go to Start and type control panel–> Control Panel–> Type UAC in the search bar–> Hit the Enter key.
- Click the option to turn user account control ON/ OFF.
- Click OK. After that, close the window.
- Finally, restart the system.
For Windows 10/8/7

- Firstly, go to the control panel and locate the search bar.
- Type UAC and click the Change User Account Control settings.
- Turn off the UAC by moving the slider to the Never Notify option. After that, press the OK button.
- If the Admin password prompt pops up, fill in the credentials. After that, restart the system.
- Finally, undo the action by turning ON the UAC (Move the slider to Always Notify). At last, click the OK button.

If the QuickBooks Update Service window pops up. Follow this path:
Install Later–> Reset the QB release update.
Solution 2: Update QuickBooks Desktop

- Open QuickBooks Desktop–> Help menu–> Update QuickBooks.
- After that, go to the options tab–> update QuickBooks Window.

- Click the radio button for automatic updates, and press Yes.
- At last, download the latest update of QuickBooks and Install the same. It will resolve the problem of failure 15271.
Solution 3: Remove Junk from the System

- Firstly, do a full malware scan on your system.
- After that, clean the junk files (For instance: Temp files).
- Thereafter, update all the drivers in your system.

- Use the Windows system for restoration and fixing the recent system changes.
- Uninstall and reinstall the application that is related to the critical QuickBooks 15271 error. After that run the Windows System File Checker (SFC scannow)
- Finally, install all recent windows updates and perform a clean installation of windows.
Solution 4: Modifying the System Registry
- Firstly, look for registry repair systems, such that the user may repair harmed registry entries related to QuickBooks.
- Go to start–> type command. However, don't press the enter key.
- Simultaneously press Ctrl+Shift and press the Enter key.
- This action will open a permission box, here the user has to click Yes.
- After that, the black box with a cursor will appear.
- Type regedit–> Press Enter–> select File “Failure 15271″ from registry editor.

- Go to file menu–> Choose export.
- Here, the user has to pick the folder where they wish to preserve their data back up.
- After that, save a file and assure that the selected branch is from the export range.
Also, fix malware attacks, and remove garbage files from the system (all the temp files and folders). It will resolve the QuickBooks Payroll Update Error 15271.
Also Read: QuickBooks Script Error
Solution 5: Performing a Clean Installation in Selective Startup Mode
- Firstly, Press Windows+R keys. This action will open the Run dialogue box.
- After that, type MSConfig, and press OK.

- Go to main menu–> general tab–> selective startup–> Load System Services

- After that, the user has to go to services and press the hide all Microsoft services button.
- Click the disable all option and uncheck the hide all Microsoft services option.
- Go to the service list to verify if the windows installer is marked as checked.
- Finally, go to system configuration–> restart tab.
- Once the system restarts, uninstall and reinstall the QuickBooks and check if QuickBooks update error 15271 is resolved or not.
Conclusion
We hope this article can assist you to resolve QuickBooks Error 15271. If the above-shown solution does not fix your problems effectively, it’s best to get technical assistance from a professional. Therefore, get in contact with our eBetterBooks Error Support team at 1-860-497-7164 for technical help and they will help you to troubleshoot your issues efficiently.
Helpful Article : QuickBooks File Doctor – Resolve Company File & Network Errors