Fixing: Sorry We Need to Verify Your Subscription Before Updating QuickBooks

When installing or updating the Intuit software, an unexpected error message may appear. It may state “Sorry We Need to Verify Your Subscription before Updating QuickBooks”. This message may display in different forms where it tells you to check for the subscription before installation. The warning message on the workstation can indicate that any third-party program or Windows user is causing the issue. As a result, the verified subscription error may block the processes required to run this accounting software. To troubleshoot this error, resetting the Windows and internet settings can be effective. However, for different users, additional fixes can be applied.

Causes of QuickBooks Verify Subscription Error

Problems with a Windows user account can lead to errors when any programs are run on it. The inability to verify the QuickBooks subscription may occur due to this. There may also be other causes of the error message generated by it such as:

• The browser settings may be faulty.
• You may not have activated the firewall service.
• Antivirus programs may yield interruptions.

How to Fix “QuickBooks: We Need to Verify Your Subscription” Error Message?

The QB subscription error can be removed by adding a new Windows user with admin rights. Correcting Internet Explorer settings, installing certificates, and starting Windows in the Selective Startup mode can also help you to remove the “Sorry We Need to Verify Your Subscription before Updating QuickBooks” error message. When needed, turn off antivirus services and Windows firewall to avoid conflicts.

Note: Intuit recommends verifying the QuickBooks subscription before implementing any solution. In addition, you should not use the original installation file. Instead, prefer the latest file stored on the QB Downloads and Updates screen.

Fix 1: Set up Another Windows Admin User

When you use multi-user mode in the QuickBooks program, the Windows system should be run with administrator privileges. By doing so, you can make changes to the Windows operating system. On receiving the “Sorry We can’t Verify Your QuickBooks Subscription” message, one can set up the user on Windows 10, 8, & 7 and assign admin privileges to it. This helps in fixing unwanted QB errors or messages.

• To add the user, select the Windows “Start” menu.
• Open the “All Programs” tab.
• Click the “Windows Small Business Server” menu.
• Select the “Windows SBS Console” option.
• Switch to “Users and Groups”.
• Pick the “Add a New User Account” button.
• Start mentioning the details for the new user through the wizard.
• Click “Finish”.
• To give admin privileges to the user, open “Control Panel” from the “Start” menu.
• Tap on the “User Accounts” tab.
• Locate the “QBDataServiceUserXX”. XX denotes your QB program version.
• Move to the “Change the Account Type”.
• Choose “Administrator”.
• Click on the “Change Account Type” option.
• Hit the “Apply” button to save changes.

Besides providing admin privileges to the new Windows user, you should do the same with the QB Database Server Manager. Doing so, it will successfully run on the network. After you assign the permissions, install the QB software and update it.

Fix 2: Reset the Browser Settings

By default, QuickBooks uses Internet Explorer to function. If the settings of your internet browser are incorrect, then it may lead to problematic messages stating “QuickBooks: We Need to Verify Your Subscription”. To fix this, restore/reset the default settings.

• Launch “Internet Explorer”.
• Open the “Tools” tab from the top-right menu.
• Select “Internet Options”. You can also use the “Alt” key if you don’t see the menu bar.
• Move to the “Advanced” tab.
• Click the “Restore Defaults” or “Reset” button.
• Hit the “Apply” and “Ok” buttons consecutively.

By correcting the internet settings of your browser, you can fix the QuickBooks verify subscription error easily. Thereafter, you can continue updating the Intuit software.

Fix 3: Make Firewall Service Inactive

It is not recommended to disable the Windows Firewall service as it saves your network from unauthorized users. However, on finding errors related to subscription verification in QB, try turning off the firewall service temporarily on your system. This can be done from System & Security in the Control Panel of Windows.

• Open the “Control Panel” on your system.
• Click on the “System & Security” option.
• Select the “Windows Firewall” button.
• Choose “Turn Windows Firewall on/off”.
• Click the “Turn off Windows Firewall” option.
• Press the “Ok” button.

For disabling the firewall service for public and private networks, select the same option you selected above. This can also be done on your Windows 7/8/10 system.

Fix 4: Download the Required Certificates

When you get the subscription to QuickBooks, you may need to have certain certificates as well. On failing to have them, “Sorry We Need to Verify Your Subscription on QuickBooks” is a possible message you may find. The certificates can be downloaded from Chrome. Later, you will have to import them into your system.

• Open this address: “ratable.qbdt.intuit.com”.
• Click the “Padlock” icon in the “URL” bar.
• Choose “View Certificates”.
• Open the “Certification Path”.
• Click on the “Symantec Class 3 Secure Server CA – G4”.
• Again, you have to choose “View Certificate”.
• After this, “Install Certificate” should be selected.
• When you see the “Certificate Import” screen, continue following the steps to import.
• Click “Ok” once the task is done.
• After closing the “Certificate” screen, update or install it again.

Fix 5: Disable Antivirus Programs

Third-party applications, especially antivirus software, can cause issues at times. Although antivirus programs protect your PC from severe threats, they could also show a “Sorry We Need to Verify Your Subscription before Installing QuickBooks” error message. By turning off the antivirus applications, you can get the idea if your tool is actually responsible for the message.

• To disable the antivirus programs, select the icon of its software. You can locate it through the system tray located at the bottom of the desktop screen.
• Then, click right on the software icon and choose “Disable”.

It is recommended to install your accounting program and attempt the QB update. If you are finding it difficult to turn off antivirus programs, then you can contact your manufacturer for assistance.

Read More :- How to Cancel Quickbooks Subscription?

Fix 6: QuickBooks Installation with Selective Startup

Numerous factors can cause the installation of your accounting system to be incorrect and hence, cause the subscription error. To avoid such errors, you can download & install the software via the Selective Startup mode. This will allow you to install QB smoothly. Before switching to this mode, Intuit suggests making a backup of the company files. 

• To start your Windows PC in “Selective Startup” mode, open “Run” by using the “Win + R” keys simultaneously.
• Type in “MSConfig” and press “Ok”.
• Move to the “General” tab.
• Choose the “Selective Startup” option.
• Select “Load System Services” as well.
• Switch to the “Services” section.
• Click on the “Hide All Microsoft Services” option.
• Choose the “Disable All” option.
• Remove the checkmark for “Hide All MS Services”.
• Then place the checkmark for “Windows Installer” if not marked.
• Press “Ok”
• Click the “Restart” button on the “System Configuration” screen.

Once your Windows System starts in the mode, Selective Startup, you can continue performing a clean installation of QB. This process requires you to re-install the software. Ensure to collect your Intuit software product details.

• To clean install the accounting software, open “Control Panel” from the “Start” menu.
• Select the “Programs and Features” option.
• Click on your QB program from the program’s list.
• Tap on the “Uninstall/Change” option.
• Select “Remove” and “Next” buttons consecutively.

Note: When you are unable to spot this option, log out of the account and sign in back as an administrator.

After successfully uninstalling QuickBooks, you can install it again. Make sure that you download the most recent version of the program. It should be compatible with your operating system. The clean install method can also be performed by uninstalling QB and renaming the installation folders manually. Later, you can return to Normal Startup mode on the Windows PC.

In Brief

The subscription can be present on your display when you update or install QuickBooks. Incorrect settings of the browser and Windows can be the primary reason for such issues. By making the possible changes to your operating system, you can get rid of the “Sorry We Need to Verify Your Subscription before Updating QuickBooks” error. To keep the message at bay in the future as well, see to it that the settings are not incorrectly configured at any point.

Frequently Asked Question