ProfSvc failed the sign in. User profile cannot be loaded -> is there a way to fix this without factory resetting?

Resolving the “ProfSvc failed the sign-in. User profile cannot be loaded” Error on Windows Without Factory Reset

Encountering a user profile error on Windows can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re trying to avoid data loss. One common message that users see is: “ProfSvc failed the sign-in. User profile cannot be loaded.” If you’re facing this issue on a friend’s laptop and want to fix it without resorting to a factory reset, this article aims to guide you through the potential solutions.

Understanding the Issue

This error often occurs when Windows encounters problems loading a user profile, typically due to profile corruption or issues with the User Profile Service (ProfSvc). When this happens, Windows either loads a temporary profile or prompts the user to create a new one, which can lead to data loss if not carefully handled.

Common Causes:
– Corrupted user profile files
– Issues with registry settings related to user profiles
– Disk errors or file system corruption
– Unexpected system updates or shutdowns

Precautionary Measures Before Proceeding
– Back Up Data: If possible, back up important data from the affected profile via Safe Mode or using a live Linux boot disk.
– Create a System Restore Point: If accessible, create a restore point to revert changes if necessary.

Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Boot into Safe Mode
2. Restart the computer and press F8, Shift + F8, or hold Shift while clicking “Restart” to access recovery options.
3. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

4. Choose Enable Safe Mode.

5. Attempt to Log in with an Administrator Account

6. If you can log in with an admin account, you can modify profile settings or fix registry issues.

7. Restore Default Registry Settings for User Profiles

8. Open the Registry Editor (regedit):
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
9. Navigate to:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
10. Locate the folder associated with the problematic profile (look at the ProfileImagePath key).
11. Check for any .bak entries:
    • If a profile has a .bak suffix, rename it by removing .bak.
    • Also, ensure that the RefCount and State values are set to 0.
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