How to Resolve MSI Returned 1601 in QuickBooks?

How to Resolve MSI Returned 1601 in QuickBooks?

Most of you have been facing QuickBooks error 1601 on your computer screen. This error occurs when the Windows installer cannot be accessed. This can be frustrating at times as the error keeps on popping up on your screen while using QuickBooks company files. If you are bothered by MSI returned 1601 in QuickBooks, we will show you the best ways to fix this.

The guide demonstrates what is QuickBooks error code 1601, possible factors that cause this error, and the repairing methods to fix Windows Installer. This guide covers the following: 

Learn About QuickBooks Error 1601

When you see an error code 1601 on your screen, it signifies a Java error on your system. Generally, this error occurs when the installation is not updated. In addition, the error message states Windows Installer is not accessible.

This justifies that your device fails to access the Windows Installer due to which you fail to run QuickBooks software. However, there can be other key reasons that might be affecting QuickBooks error code 1601. Know more in the following discussion.

What Causes QuickBooks Error Code 1601?

The leading cause of this error is Windows Installer. If the Windows Installer is badly corrupted or not updated then you would see an error code 1601. As a result, you would not be able to run QuickBooks properly.

There can be other possible factors due to which you encounter QuickBooks update error 1601. Some of the key reasons are listed below:

  • QuickBooks software is not installed properly.
  • Microsoft installer is corrupted.
  • QuickBooks installer or downloading file is damaged.
  • There can be issues with your system configurations.
  • Your system can get infected with viruses or malware.
  • Permission is not granted to access the Windows operating system or QuickBooks program.

These could be the reasons that you are continually facing MSI returned 1601 in QuickBooks. If your QuickBooks software is affected by a corrupted Windows installer then you can rectify this error using the troubleshooting methods. Continue reading to know more.

Repairing Methods for MSI Returned 1601 in QuickBooks

Usually the QuickBooks error code 1601 can be rectified by reinstalling the Windows Installer service. Despite the reinstallation, if the error still persists then you can perform other troubleshooting methods.

For instance, you can register the Windows Installer again, use QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to scan the error and reinstall QuickBooks Desktop to clear the cache. You can also check if there is a new update for your Windows system as the old updates might be causing the error in QuickBooks.

To be clear with all the methods, we will show a procedure with a step by step guide. Let’s fix QuickBooks error 1601 with the following repairing methods.

Method 1: Review and Reinstall Windows Installer Service

If you have stumbled upon MSI returned 1601 in QuickBooks then you should check your Windows Installer service in order to reinstall it. To do so, you can follow the instructions stated below.

  • Click on the “Start” button.
  • Type “MSC” in the search bar.
  • Click on the “Services (local)” on the pop-up screen.
  • Now, click right on the “Windows- Installer”.
  • Choose the “Properties” option.
  • Then, click on the “Startup-Type” in the “Properties” window. Here, you need to check if the “Startup-Type” is disabled. If so, then you should click on the “Manual” option.
  • Select the “Service Status” and click on the “Start” button.
  • Hit the “OK” button.

Once you are done performing these steps, the Windows service will start working. This method will resolve the QuickBooks error 1601. If it does not then proceed with another method.

Method 2: Re-register Windows Installer

In this method, we will register the Windows Installer again. This can be done via a Run dialog box. To be more clear, you can pursue the steps mentioned below:

  • Press the “Windows” + “R” key on your keyboard. This will launch the “Run” dialog box.
  • Type “Command Prompt” in the search bar.
  • Press the “Enter” key.
  • When the “Command Prompt” window opens, type “msiexe/unreg”.
  • Hit the “Enter” key.
cmd - msi returned 1601 quickbooks
  • If a confirmation prompt appears, click the “OK” button.
  • Now, open the “Run” box again by using the “Windows + R” keys.
  • Type “Command Prompt” in the search bar.
  • Press the “Enter” key.
  • When the “Command Prompt” window opens, type “exe/regserver”
  • Press the “Enter” key.
  • Click the “OK” button if prompted on your screen.

Once you confirm your action, this process will be finished. This is how you can register your Windows Installer again on your computer. This will remove the MSI returned 1601 in QuickBooks as you have fixed the Windows Installer.

Tip: If you are facing difficulties fixing the error then you can download the new version of Windows Installer. The new version may work efficiently on your system.

Method 3: Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

To fix the QuickBooks update error 1601, you should use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. Running this tool will fix a number of errors generated by third-party programs such as MSXML, .NET Framework, and C++.

Let’s know how to install QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool and run it on your computer to scan the system.

  • First of all, make sure that you login into the Windows system as an administrator.
  • Then, launch the preferred internet browser on your computer.
  • Now, browse for “QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool”.
  • Click on the download link.
  • Save the file on your computer.
  • Close the program running in the background.
  • Now, double click on the “QBInstall_Tool_v2.exe” file and run the tool.

By doing so, the tool will start running on your computer. It will start scanning and troubleshoot the error affecting your QuickBooks program.

The process might take 20 minutes and require a reboot. By using this tool, you can fix issues that prevent you from proceeding with the installation process.

Method 4: Perform Clean Install for QuickBooks

Sometimes the errors in QuickBooks Desktop affect your program due to which you are not able to fix the software. In this scenario, you can perform a clean install. This process does not affect the accounting data as these data are not involved in this.

To initiate the clean install process, we will uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop, rename the QuickBooks folder (by adding the old extension), and reinstall the compatible version of QuickBooks Desktop on your computer. Let’s know how to do that.

Before moving forward, you should do the following in order to clean QuickBooks Desktop from a Windows computer.

  • Download QuickBooks installer based on the version of QuickBooks software.
  • Note down your license number that comes along with the QuickBooks software packaging. If you have bought QuickBooks software online then you should browse the email that contains the product information.
  • Note down the QuickBooks year and version.

Once you have collected the product information, you can continue uninstalling the QuickBooks software from your Windows computer.

  • In the Windows search bar, type “Control Panel”.
  • Go to the “Control Panel” when it appears in the result.
  • Now, click on the “Uninstall a program” option.
  • Go to the “Programs and Features” option.
  • Then, hit the “Uninstall a Program” option.

Note: In case you don’t find the Programs and Features then you can click on the Programs and select the Program and Feature option.

  • Now, click on the “QuickBooks” program from the list of all programs.
  • Then, hit the “Uninstall/Change” button.
  • Click on the “Remove” option.
  • Hit the “Next” button.

If you don’t find this option then you can log out of your Windows account. Later, you can sign in as an admin to perform these actions.

Now that you have uninstalled the QuickBooks software, you can search for the QuickBooks company files.

  • To find this folder, you can use any of the following locations:
  • C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • Now, click right on the folder.
  • Select the “Rename” button.
  • Mention “.old” at the last of this file name.
  • Now, download the QuickBooks software based on the version of your operating system.
  • Save the file “QuickBooks.exe.” on the preferred location.
  • Follow the instructions that appeared on your screen.
  • Accept the “License Agreement” and hit the “Next” button.
  • Now, add the “Product and License Key” you have noted down earlier.
  • Hit the “Next” button.

This will activate your QuickBooks software. After following all these steps, you can run QuickBooks software smoothly without any interruption

Method 5: Check for Windows Updates

As long as your system operating system is updated, it works efficiently. Hence, you should check for the latest updates for your Windows computer.

Windows keeps releasing new updates for Windows devices in order to enhance the features and functionality. If you do not install them on time, there are chances that you face unwanted errors such as QuickBooks update error 1601.

Hee, in this method, we will search for new updates for your Windows operating system. Here are the steps for that:

  • Launch the “Settings” app.
  • Go to the “Update & Security” option.
  • Click on the ”Check for Updates” button.

This will start finding the new updates for your computer. If there is any new update available, you can immediately download and install it on your PC. This should fix your problem related to the MSI returned 1601 in QuickBooks.

Final Verdict

QuickBooks errors can occur due to various reasons. For example, the old or damaged, QB company files, corrupted Windows Installer, outdated QucikBooks Desktop, and more.

This is why it is necessary to understand the cause of QuickBooks errors. Since Windows Installer is the main reason that this error code appears on your screen so we have shown how you can reinstall the Windows Installer service.

Apart from this, we have taught you to rectify this error using other possible methods such as re-registering the Windows Installer, scan the error using QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool, clean the cache by reinstalling QuickBooks Desktop, and download the new update for your Windows system.

Now that you know how to resolve QuickBooks error 1601, you can run QuickBooks software without any interruption.

Besides error 1601, if you are confronting other error codes such as QuickBooks Error H505 then you can check out this guide to find effective repairing methods. QuickBooks stopped working? Find out why and how to make it work.

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