How to fix the 'User Profile Service failed the sign-in' error in Windows 10/11

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix the 'User Profile Service failed the sign-in' error in Windows 10/11. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

The "User Profile Service failed the sign-in" error typically occurs when a user profile becomes unable to log into their Windows account because the profile folder has become corrupted. This prevents Windows from loading your personal settings, documents, and desktop environment, often leaving you stuck at the login screen or logged into a temporary profile.

Quick Fix Steps

Before attempting advanced registry edits, try these simple steps to see if the issue resolves itself:

1. Restart your computer: Sometimes a simple reboot clears a hung process that is locking the profile. Restart your PC three times in a row; this can occasionally trigger Windows to automatically repair the profile.
2. Boot into Safe Mode: If you cannot reach the desktop, hold the Shift key while selecting Restart from the power menu on the sign-in screen. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.

Detailed Instructions: Fixing the Profile via Registry Editor

If you can access the computer via Safe Mode or another administrator account, follow these steps to repair the corrupted profile path.

Step 1: Access the Registry Editor

1. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type regedit in the Run box and press Enter.
3. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.

Step 2: Navigate to the Profile List

1. In the left-hand sidebar, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
2. Expand the ProfileList folder. You will see several folders starting with S-1-5... (these are Security Identifiers or SIDs).

Step 3: Identify and Fix the Corrupted Profile

1. Look for two folders with the exact same SID, but one ends with .bak (e.g., S-1-5-21... and S-1-5-21...bak).
2. Right-click the folder without .bak and select Rename. Add .old to the end of the name.
3. Right-click the folder with .bak and select Rename. Remove the .bak extension from the name.
4. Select the folder you just renamed (the one that no longer has .bak). In the right-hand pane, double-click State and change the Value data to 0.
5. Double-click RefCount and change the Value data to 0. (If RefCount does not exist, right-click in the empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it RefCount).

Alternative Solution: Creating a New User Account

If the registry fix does not work, the profile may be too corrupted to recover. In this case, you should create a new user account and migrate your files.

1. While in Safe Mode or using another admin account, go to Settings > Accounts > Other users.
2. Select Add account and follow the prompts to create a new local or Microsoft account.
3. Ensure the new account is set as an Administrator.
4. Log out of the corrupted account and log into the new one.
5. Navigate to C:\Users\ and copy your documents, pictures, and desktop files from the old profile folder to the new one.

For more information on managing your users, see Managing User Accounts in Windows 11.

Troubleshooting Persistent Issues

If you are still unable to log in after trying the above methods, consider these factors:

• Disk Errors: Run a disk check by opening Command Prompt as Administrator and typing chkdsk /f, then restarting your PC.
• System File Corruption: Run the System File Checker by typing sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt.
• Windows Updates: Ensure your system is fully patched, as Microsoft frequently releases fixes for profile service bugs. Refer to How to update Windows.

If the error persists or you are uncomfortable editing the registry, please Open a Ticket for professional assistance from our Brisbane-based technical team.

Still Having Issues?