The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded.

How to Fix the Error "The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded."​

   Information

When you log on to Vista or Windows 7 using a temporary profile (user account), you receive this error message:

The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded.

For more information, see:
Error message when you log on to a Windows Vista-based or Windows 7-based computer by using a temporary profile: "The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded"

   Note

CAUSE:

The jury is still out on the exact cause, but so far :

• This issue may occur if the user profile was manually deleted by using the command prompt or Windows Explorer by a user or by some program. A profile that is manually deleted does not remove the security identifier (SID) from the user profile list in the registry. Since the SID is still present, Vista will still try to load the profile by using the ProfileImagePath that points to a nonexistent path. Therefore, the profile cannot be loaded.
• This can also be a issue with the user profile entering into a backup state.
• Manually renaming the C:\Users\(User Name) user profile folder.

   Warning

If you have this error message below instead, then see: How to Fix the Error "Your user profile was not loaded correctly! You have been logged on with a temporary profile." in Vista

Your user profile was not loaded correctly! You have been logged on with a temporary profile.

Changes you make to this profile will be lost when you log off. Please see the event log for details or contact your administrator.

   Tip

If the steps in the tutorial below do not help or you wish to try this first, then:

• You could also try doing a System Restore at boot using a restore point dated before the this error to see if it may be able to fix this.
• If you do not want to repair the user profile, you can delete it and create a new user account in OPTION TWO. If this still does not work for you, then you will be left with doing a clean install for your Upgrade or Full version of Vista or Windows 7.
• Try the option at this link: Rob Brooks-Bilson's Blog: Fix for Vista's: The User Profile Service service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded

STEP ONE

Log on to the Computer

   Warning

You must be logged on to an administrator account using either step 1 or 2 below before you can move on to do either the OPTION ONE or OPTION TWO sections.

1. To Log on to another Administrator account.​

NOTE: If you do not have another Administrator account, then proceed to step 2.​

A) Go to OPTION ONE or OPTION TWO.​

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OR​

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2. To Boot into Safe Mode and Use the built-in Administrator account​

NOTE: You may not need to enable the built-in Administrator account. If this was the only normal administrator account you had, then Safe Mode should automatically boot into the built-in Administrator account.​

   Tip

If you cannot boot into Windows and do not have a Windows installation DVD, then you can create and use the boot disc below to boot into Safe Mode with instead.

   Tip

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Windows 7: (Option Two at link)​

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc​

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Vista: (Option One at link)​

How to Create a Vista Recovery Disc​

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A) Boot into Safe Mode (in Vista) or Safe Mode (in Windows 7).​

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B) If Safe Mode did not boot into the built-in Administrator account, then enable the built-in Administrator account. If it did, then go to step 2D.​

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C) Log off in Safe Mode, and then log on to the built-in Administrator account to logon with that account in Safe Mode.​

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D) Go to OPTION ONE or OPTION TWO.​

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OPTION ONE

To Fix the User Account Profile

1. Open the Start menu.​

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2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​

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3. If prompted by UAC, either click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).​

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4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5)​

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

5. In the left pane, look for the S-1-5..... folder (SID key) with the long number that has .bak at the end of the numbers.​

(See screenshots below steps 6A and 7B)​

NOTE:​

A) In the right pane, look at the ProfileImagePath to verify that this is the user account profile that has the error.​

B) You may have another S-1-5..... folder (SID key) above it with the exact same number without the .bak at the end of it.​

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6. If you have Two S-1-5..... folders (SID key) with the same Number​

NOTE: This is if you have two S-1-5..... folders (SID key) with the exact same numbers, but the second (below) one has the .bak at the end of the numbers.​

A) In the left pane, right click on the first (top) S-1-5..... folder (SID key) that does not have .bak at the end of the numbers and click Rename. (See screenshot below)​

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B) Add .bk to the end of the numbers. (See screenshot below)​

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C) In the left pane, right click on the second S-1-5..... folder (SID key) with .bak at the end of the numbers and click Rename. (See screenshot above)​

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D) Remove only .bak from the end of the numbers and press Enter. (See screenshot below)​

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E) Now go back and Rename the first one with .bk to .bak now at the end of the numbers and press Enter.​

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F) Go to step 8.​

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7. If you have Only One S-1-5..... Folder (SID key) with .bak​

NOTE: This is if you only have one S-1-5..... folder (SID key) for your user account with .bak at the end of the numbers.​

A) In the left pane, right click on the S-1-5..... folder (SID key) with .bak at the end of the numbers and click Rename. (See screenshot below)​

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B) Remove only .bak at the end of the numbers and press Enter. (See screenshot below and below step 10)​

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8. In the right pane of the one without .bak now, right click on RefCount and click on Modify. (See screenshot below step 10)​

NOTE: If you do not have RefCount, then right click on a empty space in the right pane and click New and DWORD (32 bit) Value, then type RefCount and press Enter. This value for this entry will reset and return back to the original value after you have restarted the computer and logged on to the account.​

A) Type 0 (number) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)​

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9. In the right pane of the one without .bak now, right click on State and click on Modify. (See screenshot below step 10)​

NOTE: This value for this entry will reset and return back to the original value after you have restarted the computer and logged on to the account.​

A) Type 0 (number) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)​

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10. The registry will now look like this for the one without .bak now. (See screenshot below)​

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11. Close regedit.​

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12. Restart the computer.​

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13. See if you can logon now.​

NOTE: If this still does not help, then either try OPTION TWO below or see the yellow TIP box at the top of the tutorial.​

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OPTION TWO

To Delete the User Account and Create Another One

   Warning

You can do this option if you do not care about losing the user account and the contents in the user folders. Your programs will still be installed, but you will need to create new shortcuts for them afterwards.

1. Delete the User account profile that this error is for.​

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2. Open the Start menu.​

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3. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​

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4. If prompted by UAC, click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).​

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5. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 7)​

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

6. In the left pane, click on one of the S-1-5..... folders (SID key) with the long number in it.​

NOTE: It may have .bak at the end of it.​

A) In the right pane, look at the ProfileImagePath to see if this is the same user account that you deleted in step 1 above.​

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B) Repeat step 6 until you find the one that you deleted in step 1 above.​

NOTE: If the user account is not here, then it has already been removed when deleted in step 1. Go to step 9.​

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7. To Backup the Registry SID Key​

WARNING: You should backup this SID key to be safe in case you delete the wrong one in step 8 below.​

A) Right click on the SID key, and click on Export.​

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B) Type in a name and save the REG file to a safe location.​

NOTE: This is your backup. To Restore the Backup, right click on the REG backup file and click on Merge.​

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C) Continue on to step 8.​

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8. To Delete the Registry SID Key​

A) Right click on the SID key, and click on Delete. (See screenshot above)​

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B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion. (See screenshot below)​

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9. Close regedit.​

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10. Now, just create a new normal Administrator account.​

NOTE: See: How to Create a New User Account in Vista​

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11. Restart the computer, and log on to your new account.​

NOTE: If this still does not help, then either try OPTION ONE above or see the yellow TIP box at the top of the tutorial.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
• How to Do a System Restore in Vista
• How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista
• How to Do a Clean Install of Vista with a Upgrade Version
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista
• How to Fix the Error "Your user profile was not loaded correctly! You have been logged on with a temporary profile."
• How to Change the User Folder Name of a User Profile in Windows 7
• How to Fix Windows 7 Logon Screen Showing Only "Other User" and Last Logged On User Icon

 

[crzyreddobe89]

Anybody know if I Will loose all my pictures?

 

[Brink]

Hello Crzyreddobe89, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You should not lose them if they are in your C:\Users\(user name)\Pictures folder. To be safe, you can copy them from that location to DVD or some other form of media.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sassofalco]

G'Day Shawn,

I've just been through the trauma of this sort of event. A bit of background;

It was without any previous experience or knowledge of Computers, or of their functions and systems, that 19 months ago I started with this, my first Laptop. In the initial setup I naturally created an Administrator Account, and 'shock , horror', have been operating with that sole account, since then.

'smarteyeball' recently advised me of the errors of my ways, especially from the security aspect and I have subsequently taken that advice and setup a User Account.

At the moment the User Account remains an absolute 'bare-bones' entity, but today I used it as a 'Rescue' platform.

This morning when I tried to logon, I got the message that is the Heading and Subject of this Tutorial, but in my case, this was affecting my Administrator Account. I attempted all sorts of workarounds to try and fix the problem, and eventually came to the conclusion that the only way to resolve the issue was with a complete System Restore. I eventually completed the System Restore by using the new User Account and running it as the Administrator.

I had managed in the meantime to install a 'hotmail' email account into the User Account, and was able to PM a couple of Members of the Vista and W7 Forums. Thankfully 'Airbot' confirmed my thoughts, and the subsequent System Restore seems to have been a complete success.

While attempting to fabricate a 'fix', I made notes of the following additional Error Messages that appeared;

1.....Input Personalization Server has Stopped Working.

2.....Location is not available......C:\\Windows\system32\config\system profile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable.

I am just happy that I managed to fluke the 'fix' in this case, and will now read the Tutorial in full, and have a read of the MS KB reference as well........just in case.

Questions from all this;

- Is it possible to setup an additional Administrator Account, in addition to the one User Account [ie 2xAdmin. 1xUser]?

- Should I now load up the User Account with everything that I have in The Admin. Account? And if so, a pointer to Tutorial will help.

- I have concerns here too about the available space remaining on my C and D Drives......will that be an issue in itself?

Cheers Shawn.

sassofalco

 

[Brink]

Hi Tony,

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out.

It would not be a bad idea to have an extra administrator account created to use to repair your computer with if something should happen to your main default administrator account. If hard drive space is an issue, then it is not neccessary to load anything else on the extra user accounts since you use your default administrator account instead. Unless you use the Standard user account to work from for security reasons, then you should be fine with just (2xAdmin) accounts instead. This will help save HDD space.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sassofalco]

G'Day Shawn,

Thanks for the reply. I've not yet had any specific security issues with just the single Admin. Account that I've been using all along so far, but for that added security, a second Account is not a bad idea.....It's just that where before I was ignorant of the need for a User Account, with that knowledge now, I didn't realise that the second Account could also be an Admin.

As an aside, I have now installed the Acronis software, and intend to do regular 'clone copies' of my entire system to my Maxtor Ext HD. So there's some additional security there too.

One query though....when I'm in the User Account, how do I give it access to all the stuff in the Admin. Account, including the Desktop? etc. This is where my non-existant brain turns into custard. Is this a part of permissions, and access to various programs on an 'on-demand' UAC basis?

Tony.

 

[Brink]

Tony,

Usually when you try to access it from the Standard user account you will get a UAC prompt. Typing in the Admin's password should allow you to then gain access, but it will have to be done each time you try to access it though. Even more reason to use another Admin. account instead. Once you UAC approve it the first time for that location, you will not need to again from one Admin. account to another.

 

[sassofalco]

Thanks Shawn,

Ahhhhhh! That's MY kind of Account......guess that I now have lots of work to do. Never ending in one form or another.

As always, your advice taken on board, with many thanks.

Tony.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Tony. Have fun.

 

[Troels]

I have tryed to do the step and I am affraid that it diddent soulve the problem. Anything else I can do. Main problem whit thes is that I got some files on the account I really need so I cant just delete the user

Troels

 

[Brink]

Hello Troels, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You might see if the items listed in the yellow TIP box at the top of the tutorial may be able to help instead then.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Troels]

Going to try that but will that not delete documents that is saved in microsoft word?

Troels

 

[Brink]

Troels,

I would recommend backing up those files first before you do to be safe.

 

[Troels]

Main problem is that I cant get to those files because of C:users is dmg I cant not even start up windows correct.

Troels

 

[Brink]

Can you startup using any of STEP ONE, and copy them over from there instead?

 

[tomsinclair]

Thanks for taking the time to post solutions here. I had the error " the user profile service service failed the login" and followed your tutorial, and the linked tutorials. You repaired my PC without even knowing. Much appreciated, Tom Sinclair.:D

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Tom. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out.

Shawn

 

[Ed Ski]

I have just found your forum while doing a Google search for the problem listed(first one to come up). Allow me to list what has happened to me on my system.

First off, I have an HP laptop with Vista Home Premium 32 bit that has run fine for almost 2 years. I used it primarily for my job when I was a "road warrior". After being laid off a few months ago I hardly used except to turn it on once a week to get updates from window and my antivirus program.

A couple weeks ago I decide to back to an mp3 site I used to go to and get some more songs. When I went to the site my antivirus flashed a warning about an attack that looked like it came from my system. (I was attacking myself?) Anyway, I got out of it and after a little bit I shut down the system.

Starting up a couple days later I started to receive startup errors. I opted for Windows to fix it automatically and all it did was cycle through the same thing. After a few times of this I opted to have Windows startup normally. Once at my login screen I typed in my password and the received the error that is the title of this thread. "The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded"

I am able to get into Safe Mode using the same password. So that's where I'm stuck at because I'm not quite sure where to go from here. Was considering the options for a fix posted in this thread but I wanted to tap the experts before I do so.

HP has been no help because they can only send me to links on their site. I have a recovery DVD from them so I have that if needed. Backed up my system a couple weeks before problems started so if I have to reinstall, I can but do not wish to.

Looking forward to hear back from everyone...Ed Ski

 

[Brink]

Hello Ed, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Since you have access through Safe Mode, I would recommend OPTION ONE with either step 6 or 7 depending on which one is what you see at the registry location.

If you are uncomfortable with working in the registry, then you can also do a System Restore using a restore point dated before you got this error to see if it can fix it for you automatically.

In either case, I would recommend that you back up anything that you do not want to lose to be safe.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[tomsinclair]

Hi Ed, Shawn's solution worked for me. I followed the links relating to opening up the administrator account, and using elevated command window, then editing the registry. I am definitely a rookie, but just step by step went through it, reading every word and instruction carefully.

 

[Ed Ski]

Thank you for the welcome.

I printed out the step-by-step instructions and will work on it later tonight. In no particular hurry to solve it but, like anyone else, wish to solve it.

Not an expert but not a rookie either. Guess you can say middle of the road in knowledge. In school I dealt mostly with 2K, XP and Linux so I can get around a system pretty good. Not to familiar with Vista but learning quick..Ed