If you’re running into the “The User Profile Service failed the logon/sign in” message when trying to sign in to your Windows account, most likely you have a corrupted user profile that needs to be repaired. Read this guide to understand the underlying causes of this error and ways to fix them.
Reasons why The User Profile Service fails to log you in
Contents
- Reasons why The User Profile Service fails to log you in
- Prepare to fix the error: Boot into Safe Mode with Networking and log in as admin
- Fix The User Profile Service failed the logon Error on Windows
- Method 1. Go back in time using a Restore Point
- Method 2. Run SFC scan
- Method 3. Run CHKDSK command
- Method 3. Enable the User Profile Service via Command Prompt
- Method 4. Fixing user account profile via Windows Registry
- Method 5. Rename HP SimplePass executable file
- Method 6. Copy user data to a new account
- Method 7. Delete compromised profile and create a new one
- Method 8. Check for malware and repair Windows errors
- Frequently asked questions
The User Profile Service (ProfSvc) is dedicated to storing and managing information about computer users in central location. It allows usage of My Sites, social tagging and newsfeeds, and allows creating and distributing user profiles through multiple sites and farms. When a User Profile service application is created, MS SharePoint server creates and assigns three databases for storing user data – profile, synchronization, and social tagging databases.
The User Profile Service failed the logon error message signals about a corrupted user profile on Windows. This issue prevents you from accessing data stored on the computer.
The error typically occurs after Windows update or creation of new user accounts. The error can appear in Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 versions, although the message displayed can vary.
You can see examples of what this error reads depending on the OS used.
Windows 7/8/8.1:
The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded.
Windows 10/11:
The User Profile Service failed the sign in. User profile cannot be loaded.
Other variations of related error messages on blue screen are shown below:
Windows couldn’t connect to the ProfSvc service.
Please consult your system administrator.
The ProfSvc service failed the sign-in.
User profile cannot be loaded.
Known reasons causing the error:
- Wrongly read user profile. This may happen in situations where the antivirus software is scanning the system during the log-in procedure.
- Corrupt user profile. In cases where the user profile is corrupted or has errors/missing essential files, users may run into this error during the logon/sign-in.
- Group Policy settings. If these settings limit or deny creating or loading user profiles, this error can occur. For example, if the settings are configured to delete profiles older than a specific number of days, or if roaming profile changes are prevented from propagating to server, this can trigger User profile service failed the logon/sign-in error.
- Hard disk failure. A failing hard disk and faulty sectors of it can trigger this error.
- Temporary profile login. In cases where Windows logs you in with a temporary profile, this error can appear.
- Faulty Windows update. Sometimes, Windows updates may fail to install completely, or have errors, which can lead to this error.
- Malware infection. Computer malware can mess up essential Windows files and settings, which can lead to this issue as well.
- File system errors. Corrupted or faulty files can trigger this error. Examples include incorrect file permissions, user profile redirections, low disk space and others.
- Registry errors. Missing or incorrect Windows Registry entries can cause issues when logging into user accounts on a computer.
- User profile was moved or deleted manually. Such removal method does not eliminate Security Identifier (SID) from Windows Registry, which causes login errors later. The error may also appear in cases where the user profile was relocated.
- HP SimplePass executable file. This file is known to trigger the error in some cases as it can cause conflicts with the user profile service. This typically happens if the HP SimplePass is faulty, needs to be updated, or incompatible with the operating system used.
Before attempting to try methods listed in this guide, a computer must be restarted first. In many cases, it solves the problem, and the user can successfully log into his account.
In case you have already tried this, but it didn’t help and now you’re online searching for an answer to “how do I fix the user profile service failed the logon?”, check these easy methods listed below.
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Prepare to fix the error: Boot into Safe Mode with Networking and log in as admin
Before we begin, you will need to boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. This mode provides a simplified and isolated environment that allows identifying the issues and fixing them more effectively.
Safe Mode on Windows allows booting the system with essential drivers and services only, without the third-party applications and services that might be causing the error during sign-in. The mode gives access to network, in case you need to update software, run AV scans, operating system, or download required files to fix the error.
Boot into Safe Mode with Networking
Method 1. Boot from the Sign-in screen on Windows 11/10/8:
- While on the sign-in screen, press down the Shift key and keep holding it, as you click the Power button in the bottom-right corner of the screen and select Restart. Release the Shift key afterward.
- Once your computer restarts, you will see Advanced Startup Options menu. Click on Troubleshoot, then Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- Your PC will restart once again and you’ll see a list of options. Use associated key to select Safe Mode with Networking. Normally, the key you need to press is F5.
Method 2. If the sign-in screen won’t load (Windows 11, 10, 8, 7)
- Turn your computer off. Now, press the Power button to turn it back on and start repeatedly pressing the F8 key. This will load Advanced Boot Options menu.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking option using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Press Enter.
Note. Since Windows 8 was released, the F8 key method no longer works by default, so you might need to enable Advanced Startup Options menu via System Configuration menu or simply use the Method 1 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.
You can also find other methods to boot into Safe Mode with Networking, explained in detail, in this tutorial on our website.
The provided instructions require logging into Administrator’s account. If you only had one user on your computer, then you need to enable hidden Admin account first. Here is how to do it:
- Once you boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (using methods described earlier), use Windows search to find Command Prompt, right-click it and select Run as Administrator. Type the given command and press Enter: net user administrator /active:yes.
- You should see a message saying The command completed successfully. Restart your PC now.
Fix The User Profile Service failed the logon Error on Windows
Method 1. Go back in time using a Restore Point
One of the simplest methods to fix The User Profile Service Failed The Sign-in/Logon is to roll back the operating system using a restore point. With this purpose in mind, follow the given steps attentively.
- First of all, shut down your computer. Then push the Power button and start pressing the F8 key in 1-second intervals repeatedly. This launches Advanced Boot Options menu. In this menu, use your keyboard to select Safe Mode with Networking option and press Enter.
- Press down Windows key + R at the same time and type rstrui.exe in the Run prompt that opens. Click OK.
- System Restore window now appears on your screen. Click Next, choose a restore point and click Next, then Finish. Wait patiently – the computer will be restored and reboot itself now.
- Once computer reboots, exit the Safe Mode. In order to do this, log into administrator‘s account, open Run prompt (Windows key + R), type msconfig and press OK. Go to the Boot tab, ensure that the Safe Boot option is unchecked and click Apply and OK. Your computer should be rebooted again.
Method 2. Run SFC scan
SFC stands for System File Checker tool, which scans all protected system files, identifies corrupted ones and attempts to repair them. It is a free and useful tool to use when running into various Windows errors – and it can help to fix The User Profile Service failed the sign-in error. Here’s how to use it:
- Now, log in using admin‘s account and use Windows search to find Command Prompt. Right-click the matching result and choose Run as Administrator. Click Yes in User Account Control window.
- Finally, type sfc / scannow in the Command Prompt and press Enter. Once this process finishes, restart the computer, and the login problem should be solved.
Method 3. Run CHKDSK command
To check for disk errors that might be the cause of the issue, run a simple command via Command Prompt. Here’s how to do it:
- Open Windows search and type command prompt. Once the search results appear, right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- Click Yes in UAC window.
- In the Command prompt, type the following command (if required, replace the “C” letter with the one of your system drive) and press Enter:
chkdsk C: /f /r - Follow the instructions on the screen and, once finished, restart your computer.
Method 3. Enable the User Profile Service via Command Prompt
It is also worth ensuring that the User Profile Service (ProfSvc) is enabled. Sometimes, certain applications can disable this service, which can trigger the error message for you during the sign-in. You can find instructions how to enable this service via CMD below.
- Open Windows search and type command prompt. Once the search results appear, right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- Click Yes in UAC window.
- In the Command prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
sc config ProfSvc start= auto - Again, type sc start ProfSvc and press Enter. The CMD may inform you whether the service is already running.
- Now, restart your computer and try logging in again.
Method 4. Fixing user account profile via Windows Registry
The following method includes registry modifications, and these modifications can be fatal for your operating system if done wrong. You could even lose files. Therefore, we strongly suggest creating a backup of your hard disk and registry first.
This method might help you in case the user profile service failed the sign-in windows 10 after update. In case you want to detect and repair broken registry entries automatically, see method 8.
- Log into the administrator‘s account. Press Windows key + R at the same time, then type regedit in the Run prompt and press Enter. Expand the folders in registry in given order – HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > ProfileList. Now, look at folder names starting with S-1-5. In each of these specified folders, locate ProfileImagePath entry and double-click it. Find which folder holds the account name you can‘t log into.
- In case you have two identically named S-1-5-[long set of digits] folders, and one of them ends with .bak, you need to rename these folders in a specific order. Be very attentive while doing this.
- Right-click the folder without .bak at the end. Choose Rename and type .ba at the end of the current name. Press Enter.
- Now, rename the original .bak folder. Remove .bak from its name and press Enter.
- Rename the folder ending in .ba – replace its ending to .bak and press Enter.
- In case you only found a folder that ends with .bak, just remove .bak from its name and press Enter.
- Now, continue editing. Choose folder without .bak at the end, double-click RefCount key and change its value data to 0 (zero). Press OK. Note. If you cannot find the RefCount key, create it: Click on Edit > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type RefCount and press Enter. Don’t forget to change its value as described previously.
- Now, in the same folder edit State key. Set its value to 0 (zero) as well. Click OK.
- Close Registry Editor and restart your computer. The problem should be solved.
Method 5. Rename HP SimplePass executable file
HP SimplePass executable file could be the cause of The User Profile Service Failed the Logon on Windows 7 computers. Therefore, if you have this software installed, follow the given steps to address the issue.
- Boot your PC in Safe Mode first using these instructions or just restart your PC and keep pressing F8 button repeatedly as your computer loads. Once you get to the Advanced Options menu, navigate to Safe Mode with Networking option using arrows and press Enter.
- As soon as your PC loads, click on Start in Windows menu and type truesuiteservice.exe into the search.
- Look at the search results and, if you can see this file, right-click on it and choose Open File Location. Then right-click on the file and Rename it to truesuiteservice.backup
- Restart the computer and see if the problem persists.
Important notice. Using this method might stop SimplePass auto webpage logins that use fingerprint reader. In such case, reinstalling the software can solve the issue.
Method 6. Copy user data to a new account
- First of all, create a new Windows account. To do this, use Windows Search to find Settings. Then go to Accounts > Family & Other People > Add someone else to this PC and choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information. Then follow the steps to create the account.
- Now, log into administrator‘s account and open Run prompt. Type systempropertiesadvanced and press Enter. Under User Profiles, click Settings.
- Click on the corrupted profile name that you can no longer log into, and click Copy To. Typically, user profiles are located in C:\Users\ProfileNameHere. Change the ProfileNameHere with the new account‘s name you just created, and click OK. Besides, Permitted to use section allows adding user accounts to which you want to give profile‘s control to.
Method 7. Delete compromised profile and create a new one
- Log into administrator‘s account and open Run prompt (Windows key + R). Type systempropertiesadvanced and press Enter.
- Under User Profiles, click Settings. Select profile to delete and click Delete > OK.
- Windows key + R and type regedit. Press Enter. In Registry Editor, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > ProfileList. Locate the folders that belong to the account you wish to remove (check ProfileImagePath values) and right-click on the folder to Delete it.
- Create a new user.
We strongly hope that these methods were helpful and answered your “how do you fix the user profile service failed the logon Windows 10/8/7” question. In case you know other methods to walk around the problem, feel free to share them with our community in the comment section.
Method 8. Check for malware and repair Windows errors
Often times, malware infections can cause various errors in Windows-running computers. For this matter, we recommend removing all threats using a robust antivirus software, and then download Windows repair tool to find additional issues with your computer and repair them.
- Run an antivirus scan using your antivirus. If you do not have one, we highly recommend INTEGO Antivirus. You can read its review on our website.
- Once the antivirus detects threats on your computer, choose to remove them.
- Now, download RESTORO. It is an excellent tool to detect and repair damaged and faulty Windows OS files without the need to reinstall the operating system. It can also repair Windows Registry and identify faulty entries, which can be helpful in this case. Note. The free version allows detecting issues, and the full version can repair them automatically.
- Run a system scan and sit back. Once the issues are detected, activate the software using the license key and choose to repair detected problems.
Frequently asked questions
The User Profile Service failed the logon is an error message which informs that Windows could not read your user profile properly. This can happen if the profile is corrupted or being scanned by antivirus programs during the logon.
The fastest method to fix corrupted user profile is to restart your computer. If this doesn’t work, try using a restore point. Another option is to modify registry values using our tutorial. You can also try to create a new account and copy data to it from your old one.
Try restarting your computer to fix The User Profile Service Failed on Windows 7. Additionally, we recommend creating a new profile and copying files from the old account to it.
This error message says there was a problem trying to sign you into the user profile. This can happen due to faulty or incomplete Windows update, hard disk errors, malware infection, recent deletion of user profile, Registry errors, group policy settings, or faulty user profile. However, there are many methods to fix this error that are outlined in this guide.
Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.
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