QuickBooks Payroll Error 15102 occurs when you try to download the latest payroll or QuickBooks Desktop updates, but the system cannot access the update file location. This usually happens because the shared download setting is incorrect, QuickBooks is not running in the right mode, or you don’t have admin permissions.
🔧 Fixes for QuickBooks Payroll Error 15102
Run QuickBooks as Administrator
Close QuickBooks.
Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon and select Run as Administrator.
Try updating payroll again.
Switch QuickBooks to Single-User Mode
Go to File > Switch to Single-user Mode.
Payroll updates often fail in multi-user mode.
Verify the Mapped Drive
If your company file is on a network, ensure the mapped drive is correct.
Example: If your company file is on Q:\, confirm that drive mapping exists and is accessible.
If not, remap the drive or open the file using its proper network path.
Check Shared Download Settings
Go to Help > Update QuickBooks Desktop > Options.
Ensure Shared Download is set correctly:
If your company file is stored locally → set Shared Download to No.
If on a network → set Shared Download to Yes, with the correct download location.
Reset QuickBooks Update
Go to Help > Update QuickBooks Desktop.
Select Update Now and check Reset Update.
Download updates again.
Check Windows Permissions
Make sure your Windows user has full control over the QuickBooks installation folder.
Common folders:
C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]
C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks
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👉 If the error still appears, try reinstalling QuickBooks using Clean Install Tool (from QuickBooks Tool Hub) to repair any corrupted update settings.
