What is QuickBooks Error 1603
QuickBooks Error 1603 is an installation error which could be caused due to many factors, a common one being that there are one or more than one background applications that contradict with the installation process.
QuickBooks is a highly popular and frequently used accounting software that is trusted by hundreds and thousands of small and mid-scale business owners and accounting professionals around the world. However, to ensure that it works most efficiently and with all its premier features and services, users must update and upgrade it as and when there is an option available. At times, during the process of installing or updating the software, you may be faced with an QuickBooks Error Code 1603.
When this error occurs, you may come across one of the following error message prompts on your system:
⛔ QuickBooks Error Status 1603: The update installer has encountered an internal error.
⛔ QuickBooks Error Status 1603: Unable to apply the patch.
⛔ QuickBooks MSI Returned 1603: Fatal error during installation.
In this post, we are going to discuss the possible causes of QuickBooks Error 1603 and the various ways you can resolve it.
Causes of QuickBooks Error 1603
- Malware or virus infection leading to missing or corrupt QuickBooks Program files or Windows files
- Incomplete installation or corrupt download of QuickBooks software
- Corruption in Desktop windows registry from a recent QuickBooks related software modification like installing or uninstalling.
- Deleted QuickBooks related files by other application, especially an antivirus
- Invalid entry for Windows registry
- System shutdown due to power failure.
As you can see, there are various reasons that could lead to a QuickBooks Error 1603 but it is important that you figure out the cause so you can apply the relevant solution in order to fix the installation or updating error.
Ways to Fix QuickBooks Error 1603
There are a few different solutions that you could apply to resolve QuickBooks Error 1603. It is highly possible for the very first option to resolve your problem so you don’t have to try the others. That’s why we suggest that you try them one by one in the order mentioned in this section.
Total Time: 12 minutes
Fix Microsoft .NET Framework, MSXML And C++ Issues
🔷 The very first solution you must try is to install the ‘QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool’. It will help you in fixing any issues related with .NET Framework, MSXML, and C++
🔷 Now, login to your computer as an Admin
🔷 Locate and open the “QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool”.
🔷 Ensure that any and all background applications that may be running on your
🔷 system are closed by ending them in the Task Manager
🔷 Next, click on the “Install Diagnostic tool”.
🔷 Click on the QBInstall_Tool_v2.exe file and press Run
🔷 Let the tool complete the scan and then restart your computer and check if your problem is resolved
Uninstall Your QuickBooks Desktop
🔷 To uninstall QuickBooks Desktop, press and hold Windows + R keys on your keyboard. This will open the “Run” command.
🔷 In the Run command box, , enter Control Panel and press OK to launch the Control Panel
🔷 From here, go to “Programs and Features” and from the list of programs and features that appear in front of you, select QuickBooks
🔷 Finally, press “Uninstall/Change” and follow the on-screen instructions
Update Your Windows To Latest Release Version
If you have tried the above-mentioned solution and are still dealing with the concerns mentioned above, the next possible solution to try is to update you Windows Operating System. To do so, follow these steps:
🔷 Press Windows + R on your keyboard to launch the run command
🔷 In the box that appears in front of you, type Control Panel and click Enter
🔷 Once you see the Control Panel window, locate “Windows Update”
🔷 Once you click on it, you will see an option to “Check for updates” on the left-side of the new window that pops in front of you
🔷 Once the Windows is done searching for the pending updates, it will give you an option to “Install Now”. Click on it to begin installing the missing updates
🔷 After the update is completed, restart your computer for the changes to take effect efficiently
🔷 Lastly, try to install or update QuickBooks again to verify if the QuickBooks error 1603 is fixed
Using Selective Startup To Install QuickBooks Desktop
At times, third-party applications may create problems in the installation or update process of QuickBooks. This can be avoided by installing the software in Safe mode or by Selective Startup. Here is what to do:
🔷 First and foremost, create a backup of all your data and also save a copy of your QuickBooks Desktop and license information in a location you would remember
🔷 Next, follow through these steps to start your computer in selective start-up mode.
🔷 Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open Run command, type msconfig in the run search box, and press OK
🔷 Under the General tab, choose selective startup and load system services
🔷 Now, click Hide all Microsoft services or disable all followed by un-checking the
🔷 Hide all Microsoft services checkbox
🔷 Then, ensure that the Windows Installer checkbox is selected
🔷 Finally, press ‘OK‘ and restart the system
🔷 After the above-mentioned steps are done, uninstall and re-install QuickBooks Desktop
🔷 Once the installation is completed, switch your computer back to the normal startup mode
Manually Fix or Repair MSXML 4.0
🔷 Select your installation type. If you have selected CD for installing or updating QuickBooks, do the following:
🔷 Insert the CD into your computer and close the QuickBooks window of installation if it pops up on your display screen.
🔷 Now, follow the given instructions to start the MXSML installation depending on the Windows OS version you use
🔶 Window 10
🔷 Click on the search icon in the Taskbar.
🔷 Then, type msiexec.exe /forum “d:\QBOOKS\msxml.msi” in the search bar and press enter.
🔷 If the file is not stored in the Local Disk D, replace it with another drive.
🔶 Windows 7 or Vista:
🔷 Click the start button on Windows.
🔷 Put msiexec.exe /forum “D:\QBOOKS\msxml.msi” in the search field and press Enter. If your CD drive letter is different, then replace D.
🔶 Windows XP:
🔷 Select Run from the Windows Start button.
🔷 Put msiexec.exe /forum “D:\QBOOKS\msxml.msi” in the blank or open field and click OK.
Restart Window Installer Service
🔷 Go to the Window’s Control Panel > System and Security
🔷 Next, choose Administrative Tool and double-click on Services
🔷 Now, locate Windows Installer under the Services Tab
🔷 Lastly, disable and enable the service to restart the Window Installer service
Final Word
Hopefully, one of the above-mentioned solutions will help you resolve the QuickBooks Error 1603 that you come across while installing or updating the software. However, if due to certain reasons, you still come across the error, it is highly recommended that you connect with our expert QuickBooks technical support team right away without any further delay. Our support team works round the clock to ensure that all your QuickBooks related concerns are fixed at the earliest. So, give us a call or write to us with your queries and let us help you.
💠Frequently Asked Questions
What are Some Possible Symptoms of QuickBooks Error Code 1603?
Ans : Some Symptoms Of QuickBooks Error Code 1603 :
💠 The Microsoft NET 1.1 SP1 installer itself is not installed correctly.
💠 A current version of the software is not being used.
💠 The permissions will not allow installation.
💠 A file is locked.
💠 Your Windows Temp folders are full.
💠 Your QuickBooks installation is corrupted.
💠 Corrupted Microsoft Windows installer.
How Can i Download, Install And Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool?
Ans : To download, install, and run QuickBooks Install diagnostic tool, do the following:
💠 Log into your system as an Admin.
💠 Launch the browser and download the QuickBooks Diagnostic Tool from a
trusted source on the internet.
💠 Close any and all background applications that may be running on your computer via Task Manager.
💠 Double-click on the QBInstall_Tool_v2.exe file to run it
💠 Press YES on the License Window and click Proceed to start scanning
💠 It may take as long as up to half an hour to complete the scan depending upon the data on your system but once the scan is complete, restart your computer and register and activate your software once again
Can I Face The Windows Installer Error 1603 If I Am Using Windows XP?
Ans : Unfortunately, yes. The Windows Installer Error 1603 can occur in any version of Windows OS such as:
💠 Windows 7
💠 Windows 8
💠 Windows 8.1
💠 Windows Vista
💠 Windows XP
💠 Windows ME, etc.
