Fix User Profile Service Failed Logon Error in Windows

The “User Profile Service failed the logon” error stops you from signing into your Windows account, often appearing as “User profile cannot be loaded.” The fix usually involves editing the registry to point your account to a valid profile path, or creating a new profile if the current one is corrupted. Below are the exact steps to resolve it, along with the background on why this error happens.

What Causes This Error

Windows stores each user’s settings, files, and desktop configuration in a profile folder under C:\Users\. The registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList tracks every profile with a unique Security Identifier (SID). When you log in, Windows reads your SID, finds the matching profile path, and loads it.

The error occurs when that registry entry points to a missing or inaccessible folder, or when the profile itself is corrupted. Common triggers include:

• Manually renaming or moving the C:\Users\[YourName] folder
• A failed Windows update or system restore that left the registry out of sync
• Antivirus software locking or quarantining profile files
• Disk errors that damaged the profile folder
• Using a temporary profile after a crash, which then gets stuck

You may still see the login screen, but after entering your password, Windows logs you out immediately with the error message. In some cases, you can only log in through Safe Mode.

Before You Start: Back Up and Prepare

Editing the registry is safe if you follow the steps exactly, but a mistake can make the problem worse. Do this first:

1. Boot into Safe Mode. Restart your PC, and at the login screen, hold Shift while clicking the power icon then Restart. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.
2. Log in with any account that works, or use the built-in Administrator account if enabled.
3. Open Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Start menu search and pressing Enter.
4. Before changing anything, click File > Export, choose a location, and save a backup of the entire registry.

If you cannot get into Safe Mode, you can still access the registry from the Windows Recovery Environment by launching Command Prompt and typing regedit.

Fix 1: Repair the Profile Path in the Registry

This is the most common fix. It tells Windows to use the correct folder for your account.

1. In Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList.
2. You will see one or more folders with long names starting with S-1-5-21-. Click each one and look at the ProfileImagePath value on the right.
3. Find the entry that points to your username (for example, C:\Users\John). If a folder also ends with .bak, that is a backup copy.
4. Double-click ProfileImagePath and change it to the correct path. If the folder exists but Windows is looking at a different one, fix the path here.
5. If you see a .bak entry for your account, you may need to delete the non-bak entry, then rename the .bak entry by removing the .bak suffix. Do this only if you are sure the .bak is the newer, working profile.
6. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer normally.

If the folder listed in ProfileImagePath does not exist, you can create a new folder with that exact name in C:\Users\, but it will be empty. Windows will treat it as a fresh profile, so your old files may still be in a different folder like C:\Users\John.OLD.

Fix 2: Create a New User Profile and Copy Files

If the registry repair does not work, the profile itself may be too damaged to salvage. In that case, create a new profile and migrate your data.

1. Log in with another admin account.
2. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users (Windows 10) or Accounts > Other users (Windows 11).
3. Click “Add account” and choose “Add a user without a Microsoft account” (Windows 10) or “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” (Windows 11).
4. Create a new local account and make it an administrator.
5. Log out and log into the new account.
6. Copy your files from the old profile folder (if accessible) to the new one. Right-click the old folder in File Explorer, select Properties, and take ownership if needed.
7. Reinstall any applications that were installed only for the old profile.

This is a last resort because you will lose application settings, but your personal documents, photos, and downloads can be saved.

Fix 3: Use System Restore or Reset

If the error started after a recent change, System Restore can roll back the registry to a working state.

1. Boot into Safe Mode as described above.
2. Type rstrui in the Start menu and press Enter.
3. Choose a restore point from before the problem started, then follow the prompts.

If no restore points exist, you can try a Windows Startup Repair:

1. Boot from a Windows installation USB or access the Recovery Environment.
2. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.

If nothing works, the final option is to reset Windows, which reinstalls the operating system while keeping your personal files (but not installed apps). This usually clears the corrupted profile issue.

Why You See a Temporary Profile First

Many users report that before the full error, Windows logs them in with a temporary profile. You might see a message like “You’ve been signed in with a temporary profile.” This happens when Windows cannot load your regular profile and falls back to a generic one. Any changes you make are lost when you log out.

This is a warning sign. The registry fix above often resolves it before it becomes a complete logon failure. If you keep ignoring it, the temporary profile can overwrite your real profile settings, so fix it as soon as you see that message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if I fix the registry?

No. The registry fix only changes the path Windows uses to find your profile. Your files remain in the same folder. However, if the folder is missing or corrupted, you may need to recover files from a backup or use file recovery software.

Can I fix this without Safe Mode?

Yes, if you have another admin account that works, you can edit the registry from that account. If no account works, you can use the Windows Recovery Environment’s Command Prompt to run regedit from the repair tools.

What does the .bak suffix mean in the registry?

Windows sometimes renames a profile entry to .bak when it detects a problem. It is a backup copy. If the non-bak entry is broken, you can delete it and rename the .bak entry to remove the suffix, making it the active profile. Always export the registry first.

Is this error the same as a corrupted user account?

Not exactly. The account itself (username, password, SID) is fine. The problem is the profile data linked to that account. Creating a new user account and copying files is a workaround, but it does not repair the original profile.

Can a virus cause this error?

Yes, some malware can corrupt profile files or registry entries. If you suspect an infection, run a full antivirus scan from Safe Mode before attempting fixes, to prevent further damage.

Why does the error appear only after a Windows update?

Windows updates occasionally change how profiles are loaded. If an update is interrupted or fails, it can leave the profile registry in an inconsistent state. The registry fix usually resolves this without needing to uninstall the update.

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