This QuickBooks error 1618 can be a challenging issue that needs to be sorted, mainly when it is found abruptly. As users anticipate glitch-free services, this would not just leave them perturbed but also hinder work operations. This blog will help you get rid of this error.
It is being used by several small and medium-sized businesses with great acceptance. This provides highly innovative and technically advanced accounting solutions but sometimes causes errors. QuickBooks error 1618 is the error that takes place when QuickBooks is trying to be installed on a desktop or the application is upgrading.
Error 1618 QuickBooks denies downloading important updates to their applications, and this is what needs to be sorted out soon. We shall explore the reasons behind this error and how it can be troubleshooted through this article.
If you are getting QuickBooks error 1618 and are not able to resolve it on your own, then contact our QuickBooks Error Support Team at 1.833.802.0002. Get all answers to your queries and satisfactory assistance from QB experts to resolve the issue.
More about QuickBooks error 1618
During the installation of QuickBooks or at the time of updating, an error message appears on the screen saying:
Feature transfer error | Error: There was a problem installing Microsoft Runtime Library (Error 1618). |
Warning | Error 1618. “ERROR_INSTALL_ALREADY_RUNNING” error message when you run the Setup program to install QuickBooks programs.” |
This error also occurs when there is an instance of more than one Windows installer running simultaneously. This locks the installation process. We should let it be known that the Windows installer is the bare minimum requirement in terms of the system that should be in place to install the program. It is also crucial that we have to install, update, uninstall, and even repair the system application. Further down in this blog post, you will get to see the signs and causes of QuickBooks error code 1618.
Recommended to read: How to fix QuickBooks Error 1612
What are the reasons behind QuickBooks Error Code 1618?
There are many reasons behind QuickBooks error code 1618. Some of these can be installation-related, while some might not be related but might have triggered the error. Following are some of the major reasons why the install error 1618 might have occurred in QuickBooks:
- In case the installation file cannot get downloaded properly or turns out to be corrupt, QuickBooks error 1618 gets generated.
- A corrupted Windows registry is another major reason.
- If the necessary files for an essential application were deleted, then it is very highly probable that an error would be generated.
- The presence of a virus and malware in the computer causes interference with the installation procedure and eventually results in an error.
- The Microsoft Installer Executable process (MSIEXEC) is not functioning, which has led users to install applications on Windows.
- The installation procedure of the Microsoft Runtime Libraries has become damaged and may provoke error 1618.
What are the Signs and symptoms of QuickBooks error 1618?
You will find out it is QuickBooks error code 1618 by reading the following signs and symptoms:
- This error code 1618 comes up on the screen along with an error message saying there’s a runtime library error within QuickBooks.
- QuickBooks freezes up.
- Windows will start running slowly.
- The computer locks up with this error.
Troubleshooting methods to resolve QuickBooks Installation Error 1618
We noticed that QuickBooks installation error 1618 arises for different reasons, and it can be solved differently as well. The ways to troubleshoot the update error 1618 in QuickBooks depend upon the causes of the issue. Now, let us see through these different ways:
Method 1: Use QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
The program is famous for offering equipment that makes accounting procedures relatively easier and helps solve various types of problems. If it provides problems during the installation process with QuickBooks, then your immediate step should be to download QuickBooks Install Diagnostic. If you have already downloaded the QuickBooks Tool Hub, move forward and follow the process. Otherwise, follow this link to install it.
- Open the QuickBooks tool hub and click on ‘Installation issues’ on the left side of the window.
- To activate this tool, click the ‘QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool‘ button.
It will take you almost 20 minutes to diagnose your system, hence preventing its installation. All you have to do is just wait patiently until the tool runs, and it will solve the most common problems that may come your way regarding QuickBooks installation. But if even the problem still occurs, you are advised to reinstall the Windows runtime library.
Method 2: Install it again Windows Runtime Library
The Microsoft Runtime Libraries have somehow been corrupted. The cause might eventually bring on the 1618 QB error to QuickBooks applications.
Important Note: These steps below may solve your problem. These steps only focus on the Windows Operating system and are not Intuit products. If these processes are complex for you, contact the computer’s manufacturer or a Windows expert, as Intuit has advised. If you still get the problem even after performing the following steps, contact your computer’s manufacturer or Microsoft for assistance.
Correct this by re-installing them in the following ways.
- Download the Microsoft C++ Redistribute Package
- For computers that are 32 bits, open Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x86) and Download it.
- For computers that are 64 bits, open Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x64) and Download it.
- Save it somewhere we can find it easily.
- After the download, select the “exe” or “vcredist_x64.exe”.
- Follow the instructions to download as they appear.
Method 3: End the process of MSIEXEC.exe
Some processes running in the background may create problems while you are trying to install QuickBooks. This can be done as follows:
- On your keyboard, together hit ‘Ctrl + Alt + Delete.’
- From the pop-up menu, click on ‘Open the Task Manager’.
- Now, on the ‘Processes’ tab, click on it and see whether ‘MSIEXEC.exe’ is running or not.
- Close the Task Manager and then attempt to install QuickBooks on your computer again.
- Click on ‘End Process’ if it exists.
MSIEXEC.exe is a part of the Windows installer and, if running in the background, would prevent the installation of any other application. In the above steps, you will be able to stop the component and then allow the installation of QuickBooks.
Method 4: Get the most recent version of Windows Installer to Solve the QuickBooks Error 1618
The error 1618 QuickBooks can also be caused by an old Windows installer. Updating the installer is one of the best ways to remove the error. The steps in detail are given below:
- Open an Admin account for your computer
- Now click the ‘My Computer’ icon on your desktop, or it can be obtained through ‘Start’> locate its path.
- Go to C drive’> and find the ‘Windows folder’ here. Find ‘System32.’
- Find the exe file in this folder.
- You will then right-click and tap on Properties and then look for version.
- A New window is opened with the Windows installer version used by your computer.
- Install the update if it exists.
- Restart your computer, and once that is done, try again to install the application.
Method 5: Create Form Windows Registry Entries Backup
Take a backup of the Windows registry so that the corrupted entries because of the recent changes in the software do not prompt error 1618 in QuickBooks. You can follow these steps for that:
- Open the Run command by clicking the Windows icon and pressing the R key from the keyboard.
- Once you open the run box, type regedit in it.
- Next, on My Computer, select File menu > Export.
- Mark all options in the export range.
- Save it on the desktop, then delete the keys.
- While deleting keys, make sure that the sub-keys are also removed.
Method 6: Get the Windows to its latest version
If nothing in the above troubleshooting steps resolves the QuickBooks update error 1618 for you, then update your Windows by following these steps:
- Open the Start menu and move toward the settings.
- Select the tab that says Update and Security and click on Windows update.
- Then select the Check for Updates option.
- If there are any available updates, then the process of downloading will start automatically.
- Then restart your PC so that the Windows update installation may be complete.
- After doing so, start QuickBooks and check for errors.
Method 7: Correct the Problem with the Quick Fix My Program Tool
Quick Fix My Program is a utility available in Tool Hub, meant to rectify minor issues that could snowball into significant issues, such as error 1618. This is how to work the tool to troubleshoot the installation and update failure:
- Install QuickBooks Tool Hub by following this blog.
- After the installation, click on Program Problems and select the Quick Fix My Program tool.
- Then, run it to identify and address internal issues in the QuickBooks Desktop program and then try to install or update QuickBooks again to see if the error has been resolved.
Method 8: Try using the System File Checker Tool
System File Checker is another tool in Windows that scans and repairs system file errors. Proceed by performing the following:
- Open a specific Command Prompt from your computer’s start menu.
- After the dialogue box opens, do not type the Enter key.
- Now, right-click on the specific icon of Command Prompt. Now select Run as Administrator.
- Once this is achieved, a black window should open with a blinking cursor in the upper left corner.
- Write SFC/Scan now in the blank black window, then press enter.
- It is a command that will automatically start recognizing and repairing corrupted Windows files for you.
- After doing so, restart your PC to let all the changes that it has executed be applied.
Method 9: Run Clean Install in Selective Startup Mode
After going through all the techniques mentioned above, I realized that error 1618 may not be fixed in QuickBooks. For this scenario, you can use a clean installation in safe mode. This will stop the occurrence of third-party app disturbances at the time of reinstalling. Go with the following to use the same.
Switch to the Safe Mode
- Open the Run dialogue box.
- Write MSConfig in the text box.
- After pressing Enter, a pop-up window will show.
- Then, the General tab in the window will be already selected. You will observe three mode options. Click on Selective Startup and then select the Load System Services option.
- In the Services tab, mark the Hide all Microsoft Services option below.
- Choose Disable and then unmark from the Hide all Microsoft Services option.
- Find Windows Installer from the list and select it.
- Now, click on OK and select the restart button.
Uninstallation and Reinstallation of QuickBooks Desktop Application
When the first part is finished, save Backups of the QuickBooks Company Files to prevent data loss.
- Go to the Control Panel. Now click on the tab for Programs and Features.
- Click on the option to Uninstall the program. Then, from the list of software and applications, choose QuickBooks.
- Click on the software name to continue uninstalling, then go with the instructions displayed on the screen.
- Visit the original source and download the Clean Install Tool. Install the tool from your PC and run it.
- The reinstallation of QuickBooks follows this step from the installation of the hard drive or by a known source, that is, Inuit.
- Continue with the download and installing procedure by following the instructions you receive on your PC screen.
Go back to the Normal Mode
- After the reinstallation is done, switch to normal mode.
- Follow steps 1-3 of Part 1.
- Now, select the option of normal startup from the General tab.
- Reboot your system once more to enforce the changes and check if the issue is still present.
Conclusion
All the reasons why QuickBooks Error 1618 can occur, plus the ways to eliminate such an error, are present in this article. Use the above-mentioned techniques so that you can fix such an error quite easily. If you experience problems related to these methods, we are always ready for consultations with the QuickBooks Desktop Technical Support Team, contacting us at 1.833.802.0002.
FAQ’s
How do I get rid of error code 1618?
To get rid of error code 1618, follow these:
1. go to the Processes tab in the Task Manager and find msiexec.exe on the list.
Note: If you see more than one msiexec.exe process on the list, that indicates another session is still running.
Therefore, wait until only one msiexec.exe process remains on the list.
2. Then, rerun the setup.
How do I know if error 1618 has affected the system?
To know whether the error 1618 has affected the system or not, look for these signs:
1. QuickBooks runtime library error message appears on the screen.
2. QuickBooks software freezes, and Windows starts functioning sluggishly.
3. The system stops functioning when the error occurs.
What causes error 1618 in QuickBooks?
The following are the causes for QuickBooks error 1618:
1. When the installation file is not completely downloaded or corrupted.
2. Corruption in the Windows registry.
3. An important program file has been deleted.
When can QuickBooks error 1618 emerge?
QuickBooks error 1618 emerges when software installation files are corrupted. There might be some corruption in the Windows registry, and a virus attack on the system can also lead to Error 1618.
James Richard is a skilled technical writer with 16 years of experience at QuickBooks Data Migration. His expertise covers data migration, conversion, and desktop errors for QuickBooks. He excels at explaining complex technical topics clearly and simply for readers. Through engaging, informative blog posts, James makes even the most challenging QuickBooks issues feel manageable. With his passion for writing and deep knowledge, he is a trusted resource for anyone seeking clarity on accounting software problems.