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

<FONT size=6>I only have one profile then i made another profile
and when I turned on the Computer with Windows Vista,
it said "The User Profile Service service failed the logon. User
Profile cannot be loaded"
I tried booting it using "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and typed in
"REGEDIT" TO FIND THE ACCOUNT ... but i didn't found it in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WiNDOWS
NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

then i went to C:\Users
i didn't found file of the new profile
so i made another one
it has same problem !!

now i can't log on to any new profile

I have the EXACT same problem. Any help would be awesome.

Same problem, resolved by doing a system restore. The problem appeared
immediately after an automatic update ran this morning. Is there a
known relationship between auto updates (windows) and this error?

This tutorial may be able to help you fix this.

Unfortunately the tutorial shows how to delete or rename an existing
'problem' profile, but does not offer a solution when there is no
profile.
In my situation, a Vista computer is within a domain. Two users had
accounts on this computer and are able to log in and use it. Another
user, an existing user in the domain but one who never used this
particular machine, tried to log in. Vista accepted the credentials and
appeared to be creating an account (what I mean here is that it took few
minutes for it to respond upon accepting the user credentials) and then
showed the dreaded message as described above. Upon logging in with one
of the existing accounts with admin privileges, tried to look both in
System Properties - User Profiles as well as into the Registry under the
mentioned key, and there is neither Profile not SID in the Registry for
this new user. So - there is nothing to delete.

The server running Active Directory / DNS / DHCP etc. is accessible and
everything else seem to be working while using one of the two existing
accounts.

Suggestions and comments welcome... in the other words, please help.
Thanks.

i got this problem today did system restore. like dsbeck said this
problem came back again. i'm goin to back up all my data and reinstall
windows. grrrr... i hate it

I just got a new Dell desktop. As i was setting everything up, the
dialog box keeps reading the profile was not loaded correctly. Therefore
any changes made will not be saved. So what i did was created another
account. I could save my work on that account. But when i went online to
download firefox, i had a blue screen pop up stating "windows is going
to shut down to prevent data being damaged" and it restarted on its own.
When i logged on again it reads windows just recovered from an
unexpected shut down. How can i rectify this issue?

This tutorial may be able to help you fix this.

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

Since it is new and you are just setting everything up, you might
consider reinstalling Vista though.

I thought about reinstalling Vista again. But I am concern if i do that
and it doesn't work. I will not be able to return my desktop.

The error you got is usually associated with just a corrupted user
account. You should not have any problems with returning to the desktop
after a reinstall if you decide to do so. I would give the tutorial in
the link a try first to see if it can fix the error for you.

I get this on Domain computers when Vista Business cannot find the
Server copy of the Roaming Profiles. Normally find that the shared
server folder is unavailable for some reasons.

Getting the same error "the user profile service service cannot be loaded" I can go on my other administrative account so i did that and changed the other account & took the password off hopeing that would work but still getting the same error.
Really starting to get annoyed with it. If anyone knows how to fix it please let me know i'm not too good with computers so you will have to explain in detail..

I'll be the first to admit I'm not at all tech savy so that warning
put on the table, here goes.

This message suddenly appeared on my one month old Dell laptop. I've
tried hitting the F8 key with no results. I put the system OS dvd in the
drive and restarted the laptop with again no results.

Other than the shut down option button and the Ease of access button
and the laptop's name and password box the screen is completely blank?

Any other suggestions?

I get the same message. I tried the steps in the Tutorial "How to fix
the error 'The user Profile service fail...'". The problem that I have
is that the account that gets the error message does not exist in the
registry nor does it exist in the user accounts list. It is a domain
account and all other domain accounts can log into the computer. The
domain account is able to log into different computer. The domain
account only receives this error message on this one computer. Any
suggestions?

Any suggestion how to get access to my computer? Will only show User
profile service message or a logon key that leads to the same message.
F8 doesn't work and there is no START key to get access. Help!

Hello Lindsey,

If you have not tried already, this tutorial may be able to help you
fix this.

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

Brink Thank you for the Link... it worked like a charm.

If you have not tried already, this tutorial may be able to help you
fix this.

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

If this is not able to help you, then you might see if doing a System
Restore at boot using a restore point dated before you got this error
may help.

Have you already tried booting into Safe Mode from the STEP ONE section
to see if the built-in Administrator account is there to use to do this
with instead?

Usually if your only administrator account is not able to be logged into
such as this error, you should automatically boot into the built-in
Administrator account in Safe Mode. This will hopefully allow you to do
the tutorial to fix the error.

I tried the tutorial and the system restore. They both do not work for
me. Is there anything else I can do?

Usually when both of these options fail, your installation may be
beyond repairing. If you have not already, you can try older restore
point dates to see if one may work instead. If you have, then it looks
like you may need to do a clean reinstall.

Restart the computer and as it is starting up repeatedly tap the F8 key.
This will get you to the correct menu to choose Safe Mode. Use your arrow
key to select Safe Mode and hit the Enter key. This will take you to the
Welcome Screen. If you see an icon for Administrator, click on it. The
default password is a blank. If you can get into the system, go to Control
Panel>User Accounts and make new user accounts, etc.

If there is no Administrator icon on the Welcome Screen, since the only
administrative account on the system has been corrupted and the built-in
administrator account is disabled by default in Vista, you will need to use
third-party software to enable the built-in Administrator account, log in,
create an administrative user account for emergencies/elevations, a new
Standard user account for yourself, and copy your data from your old
corrupted account to the new one.

I'll give you instructions to do all of this but they do require a certain
level of computer skills. Only you know whether a better course of action
for you will be to take the machine to a local computer technician. If you
go this latter route, I don't recommend using a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad
type of place.

*****
1. In Vista, if you neglected to create an extra emergency user account that
has administrative privileges (and now you see why doing this is A Good
Thing), you will need to use NTpasswd to enable the built-in Administrator
account (disabled by default) and set a null (blank) password. Enabling
this account will put an icon for it on the logon screen so you can then
log on.

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Download the CD image (.iso) and burn as an image, not as data. You will
need third-party burning software. Then boot with the CD you created and
follow the directions. After you've finished with NTpasswd, remove the CD
and reboot the computer. Log into the Administrator account you enabled.

2. Once you have logged into the built-in Administrator account, go to
Control Panel>User Accounts and create:

a. An administrative user account - call it "CompAdmin" or "Tech" or the
like. This account will only be used for emergencies and elevation.
b. A Standard user account for your daily work.

3. Log out of the built-in Administrator account and into your new Standard
user account so the profile folders/files are created. Do nothing else here
right now.

4. Log out of your new Standard user account and log into CompAdmin. While
in CompAdmin, disable the built-in Administrator account for security
purposes:

Start Orb>Search box>type: cmd
When cmd appears in Results above, right-click it and choose "Run as
administrator" [OK]. Now you will get the command prompt. At the command
prompt type:

net user administrator /active:no [enter]

Exit the command prompt.

5. Still in CompAdmin, copy the data from your old corrupted user account to
your new Standard user account. OK any UAC prompts you receive while
navigating the other user directories.

6. Log out of CompAdmin and into your new Standard User Account. After you
are sure all your stuff is there, you can delete the corrupted user account
from the User Accounts applet in Control Panel.

This error can usually be fixed by following the steps below. Doing all this
requires a certain level of computer skills. You know yourself best and
whether taking the machine to a competent local computer tech (not a
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place) is the better solution for you.

1. Log into another user account with administrative privileges. If you
neglected to make an extra administrative account do Steps 2-3. Otherwise
continue at Step 4. Also see the general information about setting up user
accounts in Vista at the end of this post.

2. Boot into Safe Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the
computer is starting up. This will get you to the right menu where you can
use your arrow key to select Safe Mode [enter]. The built-in Administrator
account is disabled by default in Vista. However, if no other
administrative accounts exist on the system it may be enabled. If it is,
you will see an icon for Administrator on the Welcome Screen in Safe Mode.
Log into Administrator.

3. If If you don't see the icon for the Administrator account in Safe Mode,
then the built-in Administrator account is still disabled. You will need to
use NTpasswd to enable the built-in Administrator account (disabled by
default) and set a null (blank) password. Enabling this account will put an
icon for it on the logon screen so you can then log on.

Download the CD image (.iso) and burn as an image, not as data. You will
need third-party burning software. Then boot with the CD you created and
follow the directions. After you've finished with NTpasswd, remove the CD
and reboot the computer. Log into the Administrator account you enabled.

4. The critical files are under %systemdrive%\users\user-account\ntuser. The
ntuser.dat file is actually a registry hive. Run Regedit elevated and
select HKEY_USERS and "load hive" from the menu. Now navigate to:

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

There is one line for each profile. If a profile is bad, check:

a) That the key name doesn't end in ".bak" (remove .bak if there)
b) That the RefCount value is 0 (change it if different)
c) That the State value is 0 (change if different)

Make any necessary changes, close Regedit and try to log in as that user.

5. If that doesn't fix your profile, it is corrupted. At that point you can
either make a new user account and copy your data to it or simply make a
new user account and delete the old corrupted one. Do not delete the old
account until you have retrieved data you need! Post back if you need help
in creating a new user account and copying data to it.

General information about setting up users in Vista - You absolutely do not
want to have only one user account. Like XP and all other modern operating
systems, Vista is a multi-user operating system with built-in system
accounts such as Administrator, Default, All Users, and Guest. These
accounts should be left alone as they are part of the operating system
structure.

You particularly don't want only one user account with administrative
privileges on Vista because the built-in Administrator account (normally
only used in emergencies) is disabled by default. If you're running as
Administrator for your daily work and that account gets corrupted, things
will be Difficult. It isn't impossible to activate the built-in
Administrator to rescue things, but it will require third-party tools and
working outside the operating system.

The user account that is for your daily work should be a Standard user, with
the extra administrative user (call it something like "CompAdmin" or "Tech"
or the like) only there for elevation purposes. After you create
"CompAdmin", log into it and change your regular user account to Standard.
Then log back into your regular account.

If you want to go directly to the Desktop and skip the Welcome Screen with
the icons of user accounts, you can do this:

Start Orb>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by
UAC

Uncheck the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by clicking on the
desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter the correct password
for that user account (if there is one) when prompted. Leave it blank if
there is no password (null).

After you have logged into an Administrator account (after Step 1 or
possibly Steps 2-3), try a System Restore first. This may fix the issue and
you will be able to log into your user account without going through the
rest of Steps 4-5.

I'm very glad that worked for you. The only thing I would take issue with is
your Step 5. The user accounts for daily work should be Standard users, not
administrative. This will help protect you from malware. Make sure you have
created an administrative account - I suggest something like CompAdmin or
Tech. Then log into that account and make your daily accounts Standard from
the Users applet in Control Panel.

Also, don't forget to back up regularly.

I tried the System Restore yesterday and it worked perfectly. This is especially helpful if you only have made the mistake of having only 1 administrator account. As you can guess, I am not a very technical person but the information I found here was so helpful that I wish to add my 2 cents in hopes of helping someone else.

These are the steps I took:

1. I booted the computer in Safe Mode by clicking F8 at start. (thanks Malke)

2. Clicked on the icon for my Administrator. I was actually able to log on to the Administrator account in Safe Mode.

3. Entered control panel and selected System and Maintenance. I then followed the instructions for a System Restore. This System Restore function enables you to restore your computer to the way it was on any date in the past (cool eh?). I followed the prompts to restore my computer to the way it was 1 day before my Administrator Account Profile Service failed the logon.

4. The operating system took me back in time to the day before I first started having problems. I am now able to log on to my Administrator account.

5. I immediately went to Control Panel and created 2 new users. I assigned each new user Administrator status. I also copied all my old documents, bookmarks, music and photos to the Public folder so they can be shared with the new users I created.

I wish to thank everyone for the tips.

I have one little quibble with your advice. In your Step 3 you said:[color=blue]

Yes, that's cool. But not quite that cool. We can restore to the way it
was on SOME date in the past. But not just ANY date.

The System Restore service automatically creates restore points at certain
times, such as just before we install an application. And we can manually
create restore points at other times. But storage space on our hard drive
is not unlimited, so saved restore points get deleted when necessary to make
room for new ones. And some actions can cause us to lose saved restored
points.

System Restore can seem like "cool" magic when it works, but use it with
discretion. And don't rely on it to solve ALL problems.

This error can usually be fixed by following the steps below. Doing all this
requires a certain level of computer skills. You know yourself best and
whether taking the machine to a competent local computer tech (not a
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place) is the better solution for you.

1. Log into another user account with administrative privileges. If you
neglected to make an extra administrative account do Steps 2-3. Otherwise
continue at Step 4. Also see the general information about setting up user
accounts in Vista at the end of this post.

2. Boot into Safe Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the
computer is starting up. This will get you to the right menu where you can
use your arrow key to select Safe Mode [enter]. The built-in Administrator
account is disabled by default in Vista. However, if no other administrative
accounts exist on the system it may be enabled. If it is, you will see an
icon for Administrator on the Welcome Screen in Safe Mode. Log into
Administrator.

3. If If you don't see the icon for the Administrator account in Safe Mode,
then the built-in Administrator account is still disabled and you'll need to
do some more work.

a. If you have a Vista installation DVD (not a recovery DVD) you can boot
the system with it. Select the default language, then choose "Repair your
computer". Then select "Command Prompt". At the command prompt type:

net user administrator /active:yes [enter]

If you don't have a Vista installation DVD you can either make a bootable
Vista Repair DVD from the file at this link:

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/window...disc-download/

b. Or you can use NTpassword to enable the built-in Administrator. In both
cases you will need third-party burning software such as Nero, Roxio, or the
free ImgBurn (www.imgburn.com) to burn the .iso as an image, not as data.

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Now remove the rescue CD/DVD you made, reboot the system into Windows, and
log into the built-in Administrator account you enabled.

4. Try a System Restore to when things were working. If you can log into
your own user account, you're finished. Otherwise continue at Step 5.

5. The critical files are under %systemdrive%\users\user-account\ntuser. The
ntuser.dat file is actually a registry hive. Run Regedit and select
HKEY_USERS and "load hive" from the menu. Now navigate to:

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

There is one line for each profile. If a profile is bad, check:

a) That the key name doesn't end in ".bak" (remove .bak if there)
b) That the RefCount value is 0 (change it if different)
c) That the State value is 0 (change if different)

Make any necessary changes, close Regedit and try to log in as that user.

6. If that doesn't fix your profile, it is corrupted. At that point you can
either make a new user account and copy your data to it or simply make a new
user account and delete the old corrupted one. Do not delete the old account
until you have retrieved data you need! Post back if you need help in
creating a new user account and copying data to it.

General recommendations for setting up users in Vista:

You absolutely do not want to have only one user account. Like XP and all
other modern operating systems, Vista is a multi-user operating system with
built-in system accounts such as Administrator, Default, All Users, and
Guest. These accounts should be left alone as they are part of the operating
system structure.

You particularly don't want only one user account with administrative
privileges on Vista because the built-in Administrator account (normally
only used in emergencies) is disabled by default. If you're running as
Administrator for your daily work and that account gets corrupted, things
will be Difficult. It isn't impossible to activate the built-in Administrator
to rescue things, but it will require third-party tools and working outside
the operating system.

The user account that is for your daily work should be a Standard user, with
the extra administrative user (call it something like "CompAdmin" or "Tech"
or the like) only there for elevation purposes. After you create
"CompAdmin", log into it and change your regular user account to Standard.
Then log back into your regular account.

If you want to go directly to the Desktop and skip the Welcome Screen with
the icons of user accounts, you can do this:

Start Orb>Search box>type: netplwiz [enter]
Click on Continue (or supply an administrator's password) when prompted by
UAC

Uncheck the option "Users must enter a user name and password to use this
computer". Select a user account to automatically log on by clicking on the
desired account to highlight it and then hit OK. Enter the correct password
for that user account (if there is one) when prompted. Leave it blank if
there is no password (null).

i have the same problem, but i got it when i make join in the domain
controller in our network, i tried all of the users & the same message
appear.

i can go back to my local machine user account.
please i need a help

hi, i have the same problem :-( how do you get your profile back then ? my
profile is the only administrative one and i cannot access it GRRRRRRRRRRRRR
! PLEASE PLEASE HELP

When rebooting my laptop in Vista after a recent update, the desktop settings were corrupt. After another reboot, I could no longer log in - getting the above '... user profile service failed ...' message after entering my password. I am the only user/administrator account.
My only access to the system is now via command prompt on the repair facility on the Vista installation disk. Having followed many instructions and suggestions in web forums on this issue, I cannot find SID's above S-1-5-20 (only 18, 19 and 20) in the ProfileList, indicating that the user profiles may have been deleted or corrupted (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\). Is there any way to recreate or to restore a user profile or restore access, without having to do a clean install?
I have attempted repair by using system restore points from safe mode. I have also tried to enable the administrator account via the elevated prompt (net user administrator /active:yes), getting an affirmative response, but still no access.
I use the laptop for business purposes and have accumulated a large amount of important data since the last backup, which I would hate to lose.

I am becoming somewhat desperate. Your help would therefore be much appreciated.

Maltke's post was extremely helpful - but did not seem to address the situation of missing SID's, as in my case. I trust he/she is still available to comment.

Hi KiwiWilli,

You can restore the deleted user accounts, and then add the restored users back to their groups:

When you use this method, you perform the following high-level steps:

1. Check to see if a global catalog in the user's domain has not replicated in the deletion, and then prevent that global catalog from replicating. If there is no latent global catalog, locate the most current system state backup of a global catalog domain controller in the deleted user's home domain.
2. Auth restore all the deleted user accounts, and then permit end-to-end replication of those user accounts.
3. Add all the restored users back to all the groups in all the domains that the user accounts were a member of before they were deleted.

For more information see here - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/840001