Troubled By Error Code 12031 In QuickBooks? Solve It With These 4 Easy Methods
There is no doubt in the fact QuickBooks is currently the most preferred and versatile accounting
program in the world. They allow organizations to seamlessly manage and complete a range of
functions such as invoice and payroll generation, payments schedules, and accounting &
bookkeeping functions.
But, as a user of the QuickBooks accounting software, you may frequently stumble across difficult
technical issues in the accounting program. These QB technical problems stop you from opening
or accessing company files or using the payroll functions.
Today, we will be specifically discussing the QuickBooks error code 12031, what are the factors
causing this error code in the accounting software, and “how do I fix the error code 12031 in
QuickBooks?”.
Learn the easy troubleshooting steps listed below by our certified QuickBooks professionals from
BookKeeping Help Desk and resolve the QB error code 12031 permanently!
What Is The QB Error Code 12031 In QuickBooks?
Users usually come across the QB error code 12031 in QuickBooks when they are upgrading the
accounting program or the payroll features. The QB error code 12031 issue is mostly caused by an
unstable Internet connection and network timeout issue. The error code 12031 may also show up
due to incorrect configuration settings of the system firewall or antivirus software.
The QB error code 12031 stops a user from updating the accounting program and the payroll
services. This deprives them of the latest features and functionalities of the accounting program
and may hamper work productivity.
That is why you must fix the QB error code 12031 as soon as possible. But, before troubleshooting
the QB error code 12031, learn the causes responsible for the QB error code 12031.
NOTE – Before you go ahead to fix the QB error code 12031, see the settings of your system firewall.
The firewall or antivirus software may be identifying the QuickBooks accounting program as a
threat and stop the program from opening and running properly. So, resolve the settings of the
firewall or antivirus before you troubleshoot the QB error code 12031.
Reasons Causing The QB Error Code 12031 In QuickBooks
The QB error code 12031 doesn’t appear abruptly in your QuickBooks accounting program.
There are a few specific factors that cause the QB error code 12031 to show up in the accounting
program.
The most common reasons causing the QB error code 12031 are –
1. The Internet connection is highly stable or the Internet is working on alternate
connections. This halts the proper running of the QuickBooks accounting program and
causes the QB error code 12031.
2. The Internet server is responding way too sluggish to the inputs of the accounting
program.
3. You have not set Internet Explorer as your system’s default explorer. This is why it is not
letting the QuickBooks accounting program run seamlessly and causing the QB error code
12031.
4. The settings of the firewall or antivirus are identifying the QuickBooks accounting
program as a threat and are not letting it install the updates.
Troubleshooting Steps On How To Fix The QB Error Code 12031 In QuickBooks
STEP 1 – Fix The Settings Of Your Internet
The first troubleshooting step of the QB error code 12031 is to fix and rectify the settings of the
Internet, if incorrectly misconfigured.
STEPS FOR FIXING THE QB ERROR CODE 12031
1. Close QuickBooks desktop or online to start the troubleshooting process.
2. Go to Internet Explorer and select Tools and Internet.
3. Go to the Security option and then select the Globe symbol.
4. Select the Content option.
5. On the Content Advisor option, disable the Content. To do that, you have to insert the
password credentials.
6. Now, go to the Connections option and disable the Never Dial A Connection if you do
not plan on using this feature. Enable the Dial-Up option if you plan to use this feature.
You have to insert the ISP to get access to this feature. Insert the ISP and click on Ok.
7. Move to the LAN Settings option. See if the box of Automatic Settings Detect is
enabled. Also, verify that a proxy server box must be disabled. On the Proxy Server
section, copy the address and the port number.
8. If the port is not set to port 80, don’t disable the proxy server and utilize it for testing
operations. But if the port is set to 80, disable it and click on Ok.
9. Now, go to the Advanced option and select Restore Advanced Settings. On the settings
option, see the TLS 1.0 box is enabled and the TLS 1.2 box is disabled, and click on
Ok.
10. Exit from Internet Explorer now and restart your PC.
Open the QuickBooks accounting program and then try to update the accounting program
and payrolls. If you see the QB error code 12031 message again, proceed to step 2.
STEP 2 – Fix The Internet Connection and Then Upgrade The Accounting Program
It is highly possible the QuickBooks error code 12031 issue is due to an unstable Internet
connection. So, try to fix the Internet connection to update the QuickBooks accounting
program without seeing the error 12031.
STEPS FOR FIXING THE QB ERROR CODE 12031
- To start the troubleshooting process, go to the Help option.
- Go to the Internet Connection Setup option.
- Select Use My PC’s Internet Connection option and then click Next. This will make
sure the QuickBooks accounting program can connect to your Internet. - Open QuickBooks desktop or online and go to the Help option. Select Update QuickBooks now.
Click on the Update Now option if you are installing the QB 2008 and higher versions.
Click on the File, Update QuickBooks, and Update Now if you are installing the QB
2006 and older versions.
STEP 3 – Fix The Advanced Settings Of The Internet
The third troubleshooting step is to update and fix the advanced settings of the Internet.
STEPS FOR FIXING THE QB ERROR CODE 12031
1. Open QuickBooks desktop or online. Then, access the Internet Connection Setup option.
2. Select Internet Properties and open the window.
3. You will see a range of options in the Internet Properties section. Select the Advanced
option from Internet Properties.
4. See if the Advanced Settings are set alright. If not, change it, select Apply and then click
Save.
Once done, open QuickBooks desktop and see if you can update the software or payrolls without
the QB error code 12031.
STEP 4 – Uninstall And Install The QuickBooks
Accounting Program With Selective Startup
Failed to resolve the QB error code 12031 with the help of the above steps? Then, now try to
uninstall and install the QuickBooks accounting program with the help of the selective startup.
STEPS FOR FIXING THE QB ERROR CODE 12031
1. Open your system, go to the Start menu, and open the Run dialogue box to uninstall
the accounting program. You can open the Run dialogue box by pressing the Windows
and R keys together and then proceed ahead with the QB 12031 troubleshooting steps.
2. On the search bar of the Run dialogue box, look for Msconfig and click Enter.
3. You will see a box for System Configuration. In the System Configuration box, click
on the General tab.
4. Move to the Selective Startup box and disable Load Startup Items and click on Ok.
5. Reboot your system and now uninstall the QuickBooks accounting program.
6. Again, go to the Start menu and then the Control Panel to go ahead with the error
12031 troubleshooting process.
7. Select Programs and Features and look for QuickBooks from the program list.
8. Open it and choose to Uninstall the QuickBooks desktop program.
9. Click on Finish to uninstall the QuickBooks accounting program.
10. Once you are done uninstalling the software, go to your system’s downloads folder and
look for the previous installation file of QuickBooks.
11. Install and set up the QuickBooks accounting program by double-clicking it.
12. Follow the given instructions on the Install Wizard window and click on Finish to
complete the installation process and fix the QB error code 12031.
13. Now, open and install the QuickBooks accounting program and try to install the
updates. You should be able to do the updates now without the QB error code 12031.
If you could indeed solve the QB error 12031, proceed with the steps below to switch
back to Normal Startup.
14. Go to the Start menu, and open the Run dialogue box to activate Normal Startup. You
can open the Run dialogue box by pressing the Windows and R keys together and then
go ahead with the QB 12031 troubleshooting steps.
15. On the search bar of the Run dialogue box, look for Msconfig and click Enter.
16. Select the startup type and Normal, click on Apply, and then Ok.
17. Reboot your computer to finish the troubleshooting of the QB error code 12031.
Need Expert QuickBooks Assistance To Resolve The QB Error Code 12031?
Connect with the expert QuickBooks professionals from BookKeeping Help Desk. We have a
team of highly qualified professionals certified in resolving and fixing technical errors in the
QuickBooks accounting program.
