10 Fixes User Profile Service Failed The Sign-In Issue In Windows 10

User Profile Service failed the sign-in issue is a common Windows error that users might encounter while trying to log in to their accounts. This problem arises when the User Profile Service is unable to load the user’s profile correctly, often due to corrupted files, a damaged user profile, or other system issues. As a result, users are unable to access their accounts and the data stored within.

Table of Contents

Overview of the 10 Fixes

In this article, we will discuss 10 comprehensive fixes to resolve the User Profile Service failed the sign-in issue in Windows. Each fix is based on personal experience and professional expertise, ensuring their effectiveness in resolving the problem. These fixes are:

Restart your computer
Check for Windows updates
Run the System File Checker (SFC)
Repair the user profile
Create a new user profile
Enable the built-in Administrator account
Perform a System Restore
Reset Windows
Update your device drivers
Perform a clean boot

Importance of resolving the issue

Resolving this issue is crucial as it prevents users from accessing their account, applications, and personal files. Failure to fix the problem can lead to frustration, loss of productivity, and, in some cases, permanent data loss. Moreover, addressing the issue promptly can prevent potential complications and further damage to the system.

Fix 1: Restart your computer

Steps to restart the computer

Before diving into more complex solutions, it’s always a good idea to start with the simplest fix—restarting your computer. Follow these steps to restart your computer:

Press the “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” keys simultaneously.
Click on the power icon located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Select “Restart” from the menu.
Wait for the computer to restart and attempt to sign in again.

Importance of restarting

Restarting your computer can resolve a multitude of issues by clearing temporary files, resetting system settings, and closing any background applications that may be causing conflicts. In many cases, a simple restart can resolve the User Profile Service failed the sign-in issue by allowing the service to load the user profile correctly during the next sign-in attempt.

Fix 2: Check for Windows updates

How to check for updates

It is essential to keep your Windows operating system up-to-date to ensure optimal performance and security. Follow these steps to check for updates:

Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” button to open the Start menu.
Type “update” in the search bar and click on “Check for updates” in the search results.
The Windows Update window will open. Click on “Check for updates” and wait for the system to search for available updates.
If updates are found, click on “Install now” to begin the installation process.
Once the updates are installed, restart your computer and try signing in again.

Importance of keeping Windows up-to-date

Regular Windows updates provide critical security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements that can resolve various issues, including the User Profile Service failed the sign-in error. Keeping your system up-to-date helps protect it from potential threats and ensures a smoother user experience.

Fix 3: Run the System File Checker (SFC)

How to run SFC

The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows utility that scans and repairs corrupted system files. To run SFC:

Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” button to open the Start menu.
Type “cmd” in the search bar. Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results and select “Run as administrator.”
In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and press “Enter” to begin the scan.
Wait for the scan to complete. This process may take some time.

Understanding SFC results

Once the SFC scan is complete, you will see one of the following results:

“Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations”: This indicates that there are no corrupted system files.
“Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them”: This means that the SFC scan identified and fixed any corrupt files. Restart your computer and try signing in again.
“Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them”: In this case, you may need to perform further troubleshooting or use an alternative repair method, such as DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management).

Fix 4: Repair the user profile

How to access the registry editor

To repair a damaged user profile, you must access the Windows Registry Editor. Follow these steps:

Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” button to open the Start menu.
Type “regedit” in the search bar and press “Enter.”
Click “Yes” in the User Account Control prompt to grant administrative access to the Registry Editor.

Steps to repair the user profile

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
Locate the folder with a “.bak” extension in the name. This folder corresponds to the damaged user profile.
Right-click on the folder and select “Rename.” Remove the “.bak” extension and press “Enter.”
Navigate to the “State” DWORD value within the folder and double-click it.
Change the “Value data” field to “0” and click “OK.”
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Try signing in again.

Precautions while editing the registry

Editing the Windows Registry is a powerful and potentially dangerous action. Incorrect modifications can cause severe system issues or

Fix 5: Create a new user profile

How to create a new user profile

If repairing the user profile does not resolve the issue, consider creating a new user profile. Here’s how:

Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” button to open the Start menu.
Type “settings” in the search bar and click on “Settings” in the search results.
Click on “Accounts” and then select “Family & other users.”
Click on “Add someone else to this PC” and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user profile.

Migrating data from the old profile to the new one

After creating a new user profile, you may want to migrate your data from the old profile to the new one:

Log in to the new user profile.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the old user profile’s folder located in “C:\Users\Old_Username.”
Select all the folders and files you want to transfer, right-click and choose “Copy.”
Go to the new user profile’s folder located in “C:\Users\New_Username” and right-click in an empty area, then choose “Paste.”
Allow the data transfer to complete.

Fix 6: Enable the built-in Administrator account

How to enable the Administrator account

Enabling the built-in Administrator account can provide you with additional permissions and options to resolve the issue:

Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” button to open the Start menu.
Type “cmd” in the search bar. Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results and select “Run as administrator.”
In the Command Prompt window, type “net user administrator /active:yes” and press “Enter.”
Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Using the Administrator account to resolve the issue

After enabling the Administrator account, sign in with this account, and perform the following steps:

Create a new user profile as mentioned in Fix 5.
Migrate data from the old profile to the new one as explained in Fix 5.
Test the new user profile to ensure it functions correctly.
If successful, delete the old user profile and disable the built-in Administrator account by following the same steps mentioned earlier, but with the command “net user administrator /active:no” in the Command Prompt.

Fix 7: Perform a System Restore

How to access System Restore

System Restore allows you to revert your computer to a previous state when it was functioning correctly:

Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” button to open the Start menu.
Type “create a restore point” in the search bar and click on the result.
In the System Properties window, click on the “System Restore” button.

Steps to perform a System Restore

In the System Restore window, click “Next.”
Choose a restore point from the list, preferably one before the issue occurred.
Click “Next” and then “Finish” to start the System Restore process.
Wait for the process to complete and restart your computer. Try signing in again.

Fix 8: Reset Windows

How to reset Windows

Resetting Windows reinstalls the operating system while keeping or removing personal files, depending on your preference:

Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” button to open the Start menu.
Type “settings” in the search bar and click on “Settings” in the search results.

Fix 10: Perform a clean boot

How to perform a clean boot

Performing a clean boot helps identify any problematic services or applications that may cause the User Profile Service failed the sign-in issue:

Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” button to open the Start menu.
Type “msconfig” in the search bar and press “Enter” to open the System Configuration utility.
Click on the “Services” tab and check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services.”
Click the “Disable all” button.
Switch to the “Startup” tab and click on “Open Task Manager.”
In the Task Manager window, under the “Startup” tab, disable all the startup applications by right-clicking each item and selecting “Disable.”
Close the Task Manager and click “OK” in the System Configuration window.
Restart your computer.

Identifying problematic services and applications

After performing a clean boot, if the issue is resolved, one or more of the disabled services or applications was causing the problem. To identify the problematic item(s), enable the services and applications one by one, restarting your computer after each change, until the issue reappears. Once identified, uninstall or reconfigure the problematic service or application.

Conclusion

Although these fixes have been presented in a specific order, it’s essential to attempt them based on your comfort level and the complexity of each solution. Remember, sometimes the simplest fix may resolve the issue, so start with the easiest options before moving on to more advanced methods. Regular maintenance, such as keeping Windows and device drivers up-to-date, performing periodic scans with System File Checker, and monitoring your system’s performance, can help prevent the User Profile Service failed the sign-in issue from occurring in the future. Being proactive with system care can save you time, effort, and frustration down the line.