"User Profile Service Failed the Logon" (Causes & Solutions)

Is your Windows system failing to boot due to a computer virus attack? Alternatively, a common issue is when the default user profile logon becomes corrupted or lacks the necessary permissions. Continue reading this article to learn how to repair a user profile that fails to logon.

What is User Profile Service and Why Does It Fail to Login?

The User Profile service is a directory that facilitates users in storing data such as social tagging, and enables users to share and disseminate each other's profiles across various websites. This unified user profile also functions as a service application within a SharePoint server. It serves as a platform resembling a command center, where administrators can personalize user profile login configurations and initiate profile synchronization when operating on multiple devices.

6 Ways to Resolve the User Profile Service Failed the Logon Error

Since the user profile usually represents the 'you' within your system, without it, you won't be able to access your system files and will continually encounter login errors. The "User Profile Service failed the logon" issue typically occurs when the directory is corrupted or there is a disk writing error. Here are some methods to resolve the user profile service logon failure:

1. Method 1. Repair User Profile Using Command Prompt
2. Method 2. Fix User Profile Service Failed via Registry Editor
3. Method 3. Reset Windows PC to Resolve User Profile Service Failed Error
4. Method 4. Transfer NTUSER.DAT File to Default Username Folder
5. Method 5. Create a New User Account
6. Method 6. Disable the Customer Experience Improvement Program

Method 1: Repair User Profile via Command Prompt

The first method to be discussed is using the Command Prompt. Essentially, the Command Prompt acts as a control center where you can make various administrative changes to your computer. It's advisable not to tinker with it blindly unless you have a reliable guide to follow. To rectify the User Profile Service login error, proceed with the following steps:

Step 1. Launch Command Prompt Open the Command Prompt by following these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type "cmd" (without quotes) in the dialog box, and then press Enter. 3. The Command Prompt window will appear.

迅速通过搜索区域找到命令提示符，然后右键点击并选择“以管理员身份运行”。

Step 2. Scan

Type "SFC /scannow" and press enter. Note that there is a space between "sfc" and "/".

Step 3. Restart Restart your device or application to apply the changes made in the previous steps. This will ensure that any updated settings or software updates are properly loaded and functioning.

You can now restart your system to apply the fix.

If your profile error prevents you from logging into your desktop, restart your computer in Safe Mode and select Command Prompt from there.

Method 2: Fix User Profile Service Failed through Registry Editor

If the Command Prompt fix doesn't work or you're uncomfortable using the Command Prompt, you can attempt to resolve user profile login issues by utilizing the Windows Registry.

Step 1. Search for Registry Editor

Click on "Start" and type "Regedit" in the search bar. Launch the application.

Step 2. Navigate to Profilelist

请按照以下步骤进入profilelist：

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > ProfileList

You'll see a series of S-1-5 folders, which will generally have the same number as the profiles on your computer.

Step 3. Locate the corrupted profile

Now, you simply need to click on each S-1-5 entry to determine which profile it corresponds to. To do this, click on the 'ProfileImagePath'. A pop-up box will display the profile name, allowing you to distinguish between them.

Step 4. Modify Value Data

Once you've located the profile, click on "RefCount" and change the value data to zero. You should also do the same for "State". Restart your computer to apply this setting.

Method 3: Reset Windows PC to Resolve User Profile Service Failed Error

Either of the methods above might not work due to various reasons that could have caused the corruption of your profile. A reliable way to restore your computer's functionality is by resetting Windows. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Open PC settings or boot up in safe mode Translation: Step 1. Open PC settings or start up in safe mode

Open PC settings under Updates and security, and click on Recovery. Alternatively, you can forcefully shut down your system a few times, which will automatically boot it into Safe Mode. From there, choose the option to Reset this PC.

Step 2. Reset options

First, attempt to reset your PC settings and check if that resolves the issue. If not, you will need to format the entire system.

Step 3. Reset This step involves resetting or restarting the system, device, or process to clear any temporary issues or settings that might be causing the problem. A reset can often resolve minor glitches and return the system to its default state. For example, if you're troubleshooting a technical issue with your smartphone, a reset might involve turning it off, waiting for a few moments, and then turning it back on again. Similarly, in software or application troubleshooting, resetting could mean clearing cache, cookies, or resetting the application's settings to their original defaults. Remember, before performing a reset, it's always advisable to backup any important data as the process may erase some or all of the existing information.

You will be presented with a series of prompts to proceed with the reset, such as entering your password, selecting your Windows version, and so on. Follow these instructions to continue with the PC reset process.

Method 4: Transfer the NTUSER.DAT File to the Default Username Folder

When you create new user profiles, Windows automatically generates an NTUSER.DAT file. This file resides within each profile, and its deletion would also result in the deletion of the corresponding profile. To rectify the User Profile Service login error, follow these steps: 1. **Boot into Safe Mode**: Restart your computer and press F8 during startup to access the Advanced Boot Options menu. Choose "Safe Mode with Networking" for internet connectivity if needed. 2. **Log in as an Administrator**: Log in using an administrator account, which should have full control over the system. 3. **Access the Problematic Profile**: Open File Explorer and navigate to `C:\Users`. Locate the folder representing the problematic user profile. 4. **Backup Important Data**: If there's any important data within the problematic profile, copy it to another location or an external drive, as we will be making changes to the profile. 5. **Renaming the NTUSER.DAT Files**: Rename the NTUSER.DAT and NTUSER.DAT.LOG files (if present) associated with the problematic profile. Add ".old" to the end of each filename (e.g., NTUSER.DAT.old). 6. **Create a New Profile**: Log out and log back in as the affected user. Windows should automatically create a fresh NTUSER.DAT file for this profile. 7. **Restore Personal Settings**: If you've backed up the data, you can now copy the necessary files and folders from the backup to the new profile, excluding the NTUSER.* files. 8. **Update Permissions**: Ensure that the permissions on the new profile folder are set correctly. Right-click the folder, choose "Properties," then navigate to the "Security" tab. Make sure the user has full control over their own profile. 9. **Reboot Normally**: Restart your computer in normal mode to test if the issue is resolved. 10. **Check Event Viewer**: In case the error persists, review the Event Viewer under "Windows Logs > Application" for more details about the error. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the User Profile Service login error related to the NTUSER.DAT file.

Step 1. Log in Translation: Step 1. Login

Log in to your system using the profile you wish to recover. If you're unable to log in at all, use another profile - but make sure it's not the one from which you intend to copy the NTUSER.DAT file.

Step 2. Copy NTUSER.DAT

Navigate to the Local Disk (C:) > Users folder and locate the profile with the NTUSER.DAT file you intend to use. Copy the .DAT file and then paste it into the profile that is experiencing the login error.

Step 3. Sign out/Restart Step 3 involves signing out of any accounts or applications and restarting your device to ensure a fresh start. 1. **Sign Out**: If you're logged into any relevant services or applications, go to the account settings and sign out or log out. This could be from email clients, social media platforms, or any other software that requires authentication. 2. **Close Applications**: Close all running applications on your device. On a computer, you can do this by using the task manager (Windows) or force quitting (Mac). On mobile devices, swipe up from the bottom (iOS) or press the recent apps button (Android) to view and close running apps. 3. **Restart the Device**: Press and hold the power button on your device until the restart option appears. Choose "Restart" or "Reboot," and wait for it to complete. This step helps clear any temporary system issues and ensures all processes start anew. 4. **Log Back In (if necessary)**: After the restart, log back into your accounts if needed, and proceed with your intended tasks.

Upon pasting the .DAT file, you can now log out of the current account and sign in to the old account again.

Note: If you cannot locate the .DAT file, you need to enable the display of hidden items by checking the "Hidden items" box under View.

Method 5: Create a New User Account Creating a new user account involves the following steps: 1. **Access User Management**: First, access the user management section in your system or application. This is typically found in the settings or administration panel. 2. **Click "Add User"**: Look for an option to add a new user and click on it. This might be labeled as "Create User," "New User," or a similar button. 3. **Enter User Information**: You'll be prompted to enter basic information about the new user, such as their name, email address, and a unique username. Some systems may also require additional details like a phone number or job title. 4. **Set Password**: Create a strong password for the new account, adhering to any specified requirements (e.g., minimum length, special characters). Alternatively, you might have the option to let the user set their own password upon first login. 5. **Assign Roles and Permissions**: Determine the user's level of access by assigning appropriate roles and permissions. This could include designating them as an administrator, giving them limited access to specific features, or anything in between. 6. **Activate the Account**: Depending on the system, you may need to activate the account through an email verification process or by clicking an "Activate" button. 7. **Notify the User**: Inform the new user about their account details, including their username, password (if you set it), and any activation instructions they need to follow. 8. **First Login**: The user can now log in with their new account credentials and begin using the system or application. Remember that the exact steps may vary depending on the platform or software you're using. Always refer to the documentation or user guide for specific instructions.

Comparatively, creating a new user account is a simpler approach to resolving the failed user profile login error. Creating a new account does not result in the loss of all your work on the system; it only means you'll forfeit the personalized settings from your corrupted profile. Once you choose whether to create a Microsoft account or a local account, the process becomes more straightforward.

Step 1. Open PC settings Click on the "Start" button in the bottom left corner of your screen, then select the gear icon to open the "Settings" app. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut by pressing the "Windows key + I" to directly open the PC settings.

点击开始菜单，然后搜索PC设置。

Step 2. Accounts and Users

Windows 10 and later put Family and other users on the same page, whereas Windows 8 has "Your account" and "Other accounts." Under Other users/accounts, click Add account and follow the prompts to create a new one.

Step 3. Restore files (optional)

If desired, copy files saved from your previous profile and paste them into the new one. Navigate to Local Disk (C:)> USERS > profilename. Copy all the files from there and paste them into Local Disk (C:)> USERS > the new profile.

Note: Ensure you have a backup of user profile files before initiating the process.

Method 6: Disable the Customer Experience Improvement Program

Windows typically gather usage data from your computer periodically. While the exact impact of the Customer Experience Improvement Program on profile service login errors is unclear, disabling it might occasionally resolve the issue.

Step 1. Open Local Group Policy Editor To access the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows, follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will launch the Local Group Policy Editor. 3. The Local Group Policy Editor window will appear, allowing you to manage various settings and configurations for your computer or domain. If you're using a version of Windows that doesn't have the Local Group Policy Editor (such as Home editions), this feature won't be available, and you'll need to use other methods to modify system settings.

Open your Start menu, search for "gpedit.msc," and launch it.

Step 2. Go to Internet Communication Settings

Sorry, the provided text is an image containing a screenshot of a computer error message. Here's a transcription of the text for translation: "User Profile Service failed the logon. Reason: The system cannot find the file specified." If you need this translated into a specific language, please let me know.

From Computer configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Internet Communication Settings.

Step 3. Disable the Customer Experience Program This step involves turning off the Customer Experience Improvement Program, which is a feature that collects data on your usage to help improve the software. Here's how you can do it: 1. **Open the program settings**: Locate the application for which you want to disable the Customer Experience Program and right-click on it. Select "Properties" from the context menu. 2. **Access the 'Customer Experience Improvement Program' settings**: In the Properties window, typically under the "Advanced" or "Options" tab (this may vary depending on the software), you'll find a section related to the Customer Experience Improvement Program or Feedback settings. 3. **Disable the program**: Look for an option to disable, turn off, or opt-out of the program. It might be a checkbox labeled "Send anonymous data," "Participate in the Customer Experience Improvement Program," or something similar. Uncheck this box to disable it. 4. **Save changes**: Once you've made the adjustment, click on "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes and exit the settings. Remember that disabling this program means the software developer won't receive anonymous usage data from your computer, which could limit their ability to identify and fix issues. However, your personal information will not be shared, and your experience using the software should not be affected otherwise.

Double-click “Turn off Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program,” and in the pop-up box, check the “Enable” box, apply the change, and click OK.

Step 4. Restart Restart the process or device as instructed, ensuring that all changes made in the previous steps have been properly implemented before resuming normal operation.

You might need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect completely.

Final Thoughts

The "User Profile Service failed the logon" is one of the most frustrating Windows errors. If not addressed properly, you risk losing your profile and access to your account. This article has explored six distinct methods to resolve it, ranging from straightforward to more complex solutions. Users can now select the approach that suits them best. However, exercise caution to avoid unintentionally harming your computer, as some methods require administrative privileges.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does a user profile refer to?

A user profile encompasses as much information as feasible about the user. It incorporates a wide range of details, from their fundamental information such as name, age, and contact details, to social attributes like interests, hobbies, and relationships. It also includes documents associated with the user, their professional or academic experiences, lifestyle preferences, habits, and possibly even their online activity. The aim is to create a comprehensive representation of the user for various purposes, such as personalization, targeted marketing, or service optimization.

2. What does a profile reset do? A profile reset, in the context of a computer or an online account, essentially returns the settings and data associated with that specific user profile to their default state. This process can vary depending on the device or platform, but generally, it involves removing personalized configurations, preferences, and in some cases, third-party application data. It does not affect the operating system or other user profiles on the same device. For a computer, a profile reset might mean erasing the desktop layout, startup and login items, browser bookmarks, and other user-specific settings. In online accounts, such as gaming or social media platforms, resetting a profile could mean deleting account information, preferences, friends or connections, and game progress. It's important to note that a profile reset is different from a full system reset, which would typically restore the entire device to its original factory settings. A profile reset is usually done to troubleshoot issues related to a single user account or to start fresh with a clean slate of settings.

A profile reset restores all personalized system settings to their original defaults. This is distinct from an account reset, which thoroughly erases your computer and reinstalls the system to its default state.

What is the distinction between a user account and a user profile?

Your user profile comprises your personal preferences and customizations, whereas your user account consists of the fundamental details of the user within the system, determining which functionalities and permissions the user is granted access to.

4. How do I create a user profile? To create a user profile, follow these steps: 1. Launch the application or website where you want to create the profile. 2. Look for the "Sign Up," "Create an Account," or "Register" option, usually located at the top right corner of the homepage. 3. Click on it, and a registration form will appear. 4. Fill in the required information, such as your name, email address, and a secure password. 5. If available, you might be asked to provide additional details like your date of birth, gender, or location. 6. Some platforms may require you to verify your email by clicking on a link sent to your inbox. 7. Complete any optional fields if you wish to personalize your profile further. 8. Agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy. 9. Click on "Create Profile," "Submit," or "Register." 10. Your user profile has now been created, and you can start using the platform's features.

Step 1: Open PC Settings and choose Update & Security.

Step 2: Click on "Family & other users"

Step 3: Click on "Create a new user"

Step 4: Decide whether you want to create a local account or a Microsoft account.

Step 5: Set Username and password and proceed.