Fix QuickBooks FCS Service Is Damaged or Disabled

QuickBooks File Copy Services, also known as FCS services, is developed by Intuit. People often encounter the “QuickBooks FCS service is damaged” error message. The file involved is named “Intuit.QuickBooks.FCS.exe.” This file helps your QuickBooks application find the latest updates from Intuit’s official website.

If the Intuit QuickBooks FCS service stops working, you may see several error messages indicating that the service is down. This typically occurs when you’re trying to download payroll updates. This isn’t a runtime error, but you should still be cautious about it.

QuickBooks FCS service errors use the following codes:

• 15241
• 15242
• 15243

These errors appear when the service fails to run or stays disabled.

Possible Reasons Why the QuickBooks FCS Service May Stop Working

QuickBooks FCS Service Damage error messages include codes 15241, 15242, and 15243. This error can occur for a variety of reasons, such as problems with the installation file or issues with the Windows registry.

Here are some possible causes:

• The QuickBooks installation file is corrupt.
• The installation process did not go well.
• Changes made to the QuickBooks software corrupted the Windows registry.
• Your system’s antivirus is blocking the download of the latest file.
• The FCS service was stopped.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix FCS Service Is Damaged or Disabled Errors

If you’re getting a QuickBooks update error because the FCS service is disabled, you can follow these steps to fix it:

Solution 1: Enable QuickBooks Desktop FCS

• Log out from your QuickBooks accounting software if you are already logged in.
• Now you will have to open up the run dialogue box on your desktop. To do that, you can hit the (Windows button + R).

• Now search for the COMPMGMT.msc file extension and hit enter.
• Now navigate to Computer Management Window > then click Services and Applications
• After that, click on Services
• Locate the Intuit QuickBooks FCS file and double-click on that.
• Now click on Startup type, then choose the Manual option.
• Lastly, click Apply, then OK.

It’s a good idea to recheck your payroll service key to refresh the connection.

• Go to Employees on the top menu.
• Choose My Payroll Service.
• Click on Activate Service Key.
• Select the current payroll under Service Keys.
• Click Next until you reach the finish option.

Solution 2: Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop

If the FCS service is damaged due to a broken or improperly installed application, you need to uninstall and then reinstall it.

Before you start, make sure to:

1. Download the installer for the version you’re using.
2. Remember your license number, which can be found in the original packaging or in the confirmation email if you bought it digitally.
3. Write down your product year and version.

Now follow these steps to uninstall and reinstall:

• Click the Windows Start button and search for Control Panel, then double-click its icon.
• Select Programs and Features or Uninstall a program.
• Choose the QuickBooks version you want to uninstall.
• Click Uninstall / Change and then Remove.

If you don’t see the option, you might need to sign out and back in as an administrator.

• Open the QuickBooks.exe file.
• Follow the on-screen instructions and accept the software license agreement.
• Click Next and enter your Product and License numbers.
• Click Next again.
• QuickBooks will ask you to activate and update it.

Solution 3: Run the Reboot.bat file

Running the Reboot.bat file can help re-register QuickBooks extensions in Windows, fixing issues with the damaged Intuit FCS service in QuickBooks:

• Close QuickBooks.
• Find the folder with the reboot.bat file:
  • Right-click the QuickBooks desktop icon and select Properties.
  • Click Open file location.
• Right-click on the reboot.bat file and choose Run as Administrator.
• Make sure the reboot.bat is run as the Windows Administrator.
• Depending on your settings, it might appear as reboot.bat or reboot.
• A black Command (DOS) window will open with quickly scrolling file names.
• Do not close this window manually. It will close on its own once the reboot.bat file is done.
• Restart your system.

Run QuickBooks again and check if the QuickBooks FCS service keeps closing error is still there.

Solution 4: Use the Windows Repair System

If the error is caused by a corrupted Windows registry, you can use the internal repair system to fix it:

• Close the QuickBooks application.
• Press Windows+E.
• For Windows 8 users, click the Computer tab.
• Click Uninstall or Change program.
• Select QuickBooks from the list and click Uninstall.
• The QuickBooks installation window will appear.
• Click Next and select the Repair radio button.
• Scroll down and click Repair.
• Click Finish.
• Restart your system.
• Press Ctrl+R and open the Run window.
• Type msconfig and click OK.
• Go to the General tab and select Selective Startup.
• Check Load System Services and Load Startup Product.
• Go to the Services tab and disable the services.
• Check the ‘Hide all Microsoft Services’ option.
• Restart your system and perform a clean installation by reinstalling the software.
• After reinstalling, try downloading the latest updates to QuickBooks.

Solution 5: For Revalidating the Subscription of the QuickBooks

Revalidating your QuickBooks subscription may help fix the QuickBooks FCS service damage error.

Here are the steps to do this:

• In this, you have to open the QuickBooks software first
• Then go to the Employees menu option
• After that, select the My Payroll Service
• Now, you have to tick the Account/Billing Information option shown to you
• Click on the Exit option
• The process of validation is going to start
• Complete the process successfully
• Again, try to update the QuickBooks payroll account
• When the validation is done after the update, the issue is no more.

Solution 6: Update QuickBooks

An older version of QuickBooks may cause the Intuit FCS service to stop working. Follow these steps to update the app:

• Close your company file and then exit QuickBooks.
• Click the Windows Start button, search for QuickBooks, and right-click the app.
• Select Run as Administrator.
• In the No Company Open window, go to the Help tab.
• Click Update QuickBooks from the list of options.
• Go to the Options tab, click Mark All, and select Save.
• Go to the Update Now tab and check the Reset Update box.
• Click Get Updates and wait for the process to complete.
• Restart your application and click Yes when the update installation prompt appears.

Solution 7: Update the Payroll Tax Table in QuickBooks

If the previous steps didn’t work, try this one. This step involves updating your payroll tax tables, which are most affected by the changes.

Here’s how:

• First, download the latest tax tables.
  • Open QuickBooks and go to the Employee menu.
  • Click the Menu tab.
  • From the dropdown, select Get Payroll Updates.
  • Check the Download Updates box.
  • Select all the latest updates and download them to your desktop.
• Wait for the download to finish and then install them.

Follow the instructions for installation:

Case 1. Without a Service Key

• If you don’t have a service key, use the automated tool to get one.
• Log in to your QB account.
• Click the Employee menu and then click the Payroll tab.
• Go to Payroll Service Key.
• Open another QuickBooks window and sign in using your credentials.
• Click Next.
• Enter the service key you received and then get the desk delivery key.
• Click Next again

Case 2. With the Help of a CD

• Insert the CD for payroll updates and open QuickBooks.
• Click Get Payroll Updates and install the updates after they download.
• Click Install and let the payroll tax tables update properly.

This should fix the problem completely.

Solution 8: Switch to Manual Startup Type

Before you begin, be sure to back up your company files to avoid any data loss.

Follow these steps:

• Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to open the Run window.
• Type COMPMGMT.MSC and press Enter.
• Open the Computer Management window, navigate to Services and Applications, and click it.
• Scroll down and find Intuit Quickbooks FCS.
• Double-click it.
• Change the Startup type to Manual.
• Click Apply, and then click OK.

After that, re-validate your service key in QuickBooks Desktop. Don’t forget to refresh the connection first.

• Go to Employees and select My Payroll Service.
• Click Activate Service Key. In the Service Keys window, highlight the recent payroll.
• Click Edit.
• Click Next to complete the task.

Solution 9: For Repairing the QuickBooks Desktop account

• Initially, close all the applications that are running in the background using the Task Manager
• Open the Task Manager then go to the Processes tab
• After that, search for all the QuickBooks processes and then select it
• Click on the End Task button below to close all the processes
• After this, reboot your system
• When the restart process completes, open the Control Panel in your system
• In the Programs, go to the Programs again
• Now from the list, find the QuickBooks (version)
• Right-click on it and click on the option Uninstall/Change
• The QuickBooks Installation Window opens up
• Click on the Next button after that click on the Repair option
• Then click on the Finish option
• Restart your system.

Solution 10: Run QuickBooks Clean Installation

• First of all, in your system, open the Run window using the Ctrl+R keys from the keyboard
• Type the MSConfig in the Run window and press the Enter button on the keyboard
• A window opens up in this. Click on the tab name General, then further click on the Selective startup option
• Click on the box with the name Load system services and Load the startup items
• Next, go to the Services tab and then disable all the services that are mentioned here
• Then tick-mark the option Hide all Microsoft Services
• Now, restart your system
• Uninstall the software from your system using the Control Panel
• Reinstall the software using the QuickBooks clean install
• In the end, you can download the latest update to your QuickBooks account.

Conclusion

With the information provided, you can easily identify the problem and choose the right solution. This blog explains the QuickBooks FCS service failure issue and discusses possible causes and troubleshooting methods. If you’re still experiencing problems and need expert help, contact us at askforaccounting.com.

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