If your computer is coming up with “User profile cannot be loaded” or “User profile failed to Logon” error message; the most likely reason is due to the “User Profile” being corrupted.
In general, the most common reason for a User Profile getting corrupted on a Windows computer is due to an App or an Update not being properly installed, the computer being abruptly shut-down and hardware failure.
User Profile is also known to get corrupted when the computer is being upgraded from an older version of Windows to a Newer version of Windows operating system.
User Profile Cannot be Loaded Error in Windows
Since, the main reason for “User Profile Cannot be Loaded” error in Windows is due to the User Profile being corrupted, any of the following methods can be used to deal with this problem.
- Create a New Local User Account.
- Fix Corrupted User Profile Using Registry Editor.
- Replace Corrupted Default User Profile with a good one.
1. Create New Local User Account
The easiest way to fix the problem of a corrupted User Profile on a Windows computer is by creating a New User Account and deleting the corrupted User Account.
If the corrupted User Account does not contain important files, you can easily create a new Local User Account by using steps, as provided in this guide: How to Create A Local User Account in Windows 11/10.
If the corrupted User Account contains important files, you can try to fix the Corrupted User Profile by using two methods as provided below in this guide.
2. FIX Corrupt User Profile Using Registry Editor
Since, this method involves editing Registry files, it is only recommended for advanced level users who are used to working with Registry Files.
If you are comfortable working with Registry Files, you should be able to fix the Corrupted User Profile by using steps as provided in this guide: How to Fix A Corrupt User Profile in Windows 11/10.
3. Replace NTUSER.dat File
This method requires you to delete NTUSER.dat File in the corrupted User Profile and replace it with a copy from a working User Profile.
1. Login to your Admin Account or a User Account with Admin privileges.
2. Open the File Explorer on your computer.
3. On the File Explorer screen, click on the View tab and check File name extensions and Hidden Items.
Note: This important step, makes hidden files visible on your computer.
4. Navigate to This PC > Local Disk > Users > and open any Working User Profile Folder.
5. In the User Folder, right-click on NTUSER.DAT File and select the Copy option.
6. Next, navigate to This PC > Local Disk > Users > Corrupted User Folder and Rename NTUSER.DAT to NTUSER.DAT1.
After renaming the file, paste NTUSER.DAT File from the Working User Profile into the Corrupted User Folder.
After completing above steps, you should be able to login to the User Account, without encountering any error messages.