How to tackle QuickBooks Error Code 1321
                     Effectively Dismiss QuickBooks Error 1321 with Detailed Solutions
Issues while updating or installing the QB application are quite common among users, 
and QuickBooks error 1321, is one such error that arises due to installer issues. This 
error can get triggered due to permission issues while writing a file, restricted 
Windows permissions, and many other reasons. The error code can prevent users 
from accessing their QB application and cause hindrance while running the accounting 
functions; hence, it needs to be addressed on a priority basis. If you are encountering 
the QuickBooks error code 1321 and are unable to update your app, you can use the 
common reasons and detailed solutions mentioned below to eliminate it effectively.
If you are having trouble understanding the steps or resolving the error 
message on your own, you can reach out to us at 1.855.738.2784 to get 
direct assistance from our team of QB professionals.

A Brief Overview/Description of QuickBooks Error 1321
Although updating or installing QuickBooks is an easy process, insufficient privileges 
can lead to the QuickBooks error message 1321 on the screen. This error is mostly a 
permission-related issue during reading and writing the files and can be eliminated by 
modifying the file permissions. You can address this QB update error code by using 
the simple methods provided in this article.
Possible Reasons & Triggers for the QuickBooks Desktop Error 1321
You might be encountering the QuickBooks installation error 1321 due to the common 
causes and factors mentioned below –
1. Windows firewall or an anti-virus application is causing an obstruction, which is 
preventing QuickBooks from accessing the permissions to download the updates.
2. There are insufficient Windows permissions for your QB folder, which is leading to 
access issues in the app.
3. The file you are trying to read or write to is damaged, corrupted, or it might be 
broken.
4. Your system did not shut down correctly, which is triggering issues with the QB 
installation process.
5. The file update procedure in QuickBooks might be faster than the file copying 
process.
6. You are not running the installation or update process with admin rights and are 
using a regular user account to run QB.
7. There can be issues with your QB application, and the app might not be installed 
correctly, which is causing problems in the update process.
Detect QuickBooks Update Error 1321 with Early Signs & 
Symptoms
Issues while updating QuickBooks can be detected on a yearly basis by looking out for 
these common symptoms of the 1321 error –
1. There are insufficient permissions while modifying the files with the. DLL 
extensions.
2. You are unable to access the QB installer files in the application while running the 
update process.
3. Your QB application starts lagging or performing slowly, leading to delayed 
responses.
4. There are Windows restrictions while accessing the QB folders, and you are 
getting an access restricted error message.
5. Other applications on your Windows OS also start lagging, and your system 
becomes unresponsive to keyboard clicks and actions.
How to Successfully Tackle the Error Code 1321 in QuickBooks Desktop?
QB error code 1321 can be easily dismissed by using the solutions mentioned below –
Solution 1 – Repair QB Desktop by 
Accessing the Control Panel from the Run 
Window
You can address the update installer issues in QB by repairing the application from 
the control panel –
1. Open the Windows Start menu to go to the Control Panel and access the 
Programs and Features option to see the installed program list on your PC.
2. Choose QuickBooks from the app list to select it, and choose the Uninstall/ 
Change option to get a new dialog box on the screen.
3. Choose the Repair option and follow the on-screen prompts to execute the repair 
process and check the status of the 1321 error code.
Solution 2 – Create a New Admin Account 
from the User Section of the Start Menu
You can tackle the QuickBooks error message code 1321 by creating a new admin 
account in the following manner –
1. Go to the Windows Start menu to locate & launch the Control Panel and access 
the CP Window to select the User/Accounts option.
2. Now, select the Create a New User option and name your account to further set it 
as an account with admin privileges.
3. Next, create a new account and log off from the existing one, followed by using the 
new admin account to log in to QuickBooks to run the installation/update process.
Solution 3 – Perform a QB Clean 
Installation from the Programs & Features 
Section
Issues with your QuickBooks app can lead to errors while writing to the DLL file, and 
these issues can be fixed by using the clean install utility –
1. Open the Control Panel from the Start menu hit the Programs and Features 
section to access the program list, and choose QuickBooks.
2. Hit the Uninstall a Program option follow the on-screen commands and check the 
permission dialogue boxes to uninstall QB successfully, post which you need to 
reboot your device.
3. Clear your space and reinstall the QB application again from Intuit’s official website 
to download the installation files and follow the on-screen steps to finish the 
installation, followed by setting up your QB account again.
Solution 4 – Disable your Anti-Virus 
Program Temporarily to Rerun the QB 
Updates
You can try to deactivate your anti-virus program on a temporary basis to run the 
QuickBooks updates without restrictions and blockages –
1. Visit your anti-virus or Windows firewall support website to disable the utility from 
the Update & Security section.
2. Once the program is disabled, try running the QuickBooks installation process 
again to check if the 1321 error is fixed; if not, follow the next troubleshooting step.
Solution 5 – Edit the Windows Permissions 
for the QB Folder by Accessing the Run 
Window
You can modify the Windows permissions to remove the restrictions while installing 
and updating QuickBooks –
1. From the Start menu, open the Run window by pressing the Windows + R keys, 
and in the appeared text box, enter your location path by going through the 
following location list –
For the 32-bit versions of Windows 7, 8, and 10 –
• C:\Program Files\Intuit\Enterprise Solutions 20.0
• C:\Program Files\Intuit\Enterprise Solutions 19.0
• C:\Program Files\Intuit\Enterprise Solutions 18.0
• C:\Program Files\Intuit\Enterprise Solutions 17.0
For the 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8, and 10 –
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\Enterprise Solutions 20.0
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\Enterprise Solutions 19.0
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\Enterprise Solutions 18.0
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\Enterprise Solutions 17.0
1. These navigation paths are only for QuickBooks Desktop users; for other QB 
variants, you need to follow their specific navigation path.
2. Now, from the window in the following tab, click the View section and select the 
Customize this Folder option to access the Properties window and navigate to the 
Security tab.
3. Click on Administrators mark the Allow checkbox to provide Full Access 
permissions to QB, and go back to the Security tab to choose the System User 
option.
4. Again, select the Allow checkbox next to Full Control, followed by hitting OK and 
exiting the Properties window to run the QuickBooks installation process and check 
if the 1321 error is successfully removed.
If the error message code still remains unresolved, you can try performing the 
resolving steps given below to address it once and for all.
Solution 6 – Modify the User Privileges 
from the Windows Explorer Tab
You need to ensure that the Windows Explorer privileges are correctly set by following 
the steps given below for Windows XP users –
1. Press the F8 key when the Windows logo appears to access the Boot Options tab 
and opt for the safe mode with the Networking icon, followed by pressing Enter.
2. If you use Windows XP professionals, follow the on-screen instructions to update 
user privileges and restart the PC to re-launch QuickBooks.
3. Next, hit the System icon by going to the Group or User Names tab, and select the 
Full Control option to provide full, unrestricted permissions to QB, followed by 
hitting the Advanced tab.
4.  Now, select the Replace Permission Entries option that applies to the child objects 
close the Properties window, and press OK to activate the simple file-sharing mode 
again, followed by installing your Adobe Reader application.
Solution 7 – Activate the Install Diagnostic 
Utility and Run the QB Updates Again
You can diagnose your application for installation issues and try updating the 
application again in the following manner –
1. Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub set-up file and install it, followed by accessing 
it and clicking on the Installation Issues tab.
2. Choose the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool and let the tool detect the problems 
with your QB application, followed by letting it fix them successfully.
3. Once done, rerun QuickBooks and try downloading the latest updates from the 
Help tab by selecting the Update QuickBooks Desktop option.
Conclusion
You can easily dismiss the QuickBooks error 1321 by using the solutions mentioned 
in this article above. If the error message persists, you can call us 
at 1.855.738.2784 to get immediate assistance from our technical support team.