How to Fix Windows 10's User Profile Cannot Be Loaded Error

Connecting to a computer is as simple as typing a password (if applicable) and hitting the connect button. If your PC refuses to load your profile and there is a blue screen with an error message “ The user profile cannot be loaded ”, then there is a problem with certain files or services which feed the user profile of your PC. Follow one of the two solutions in this article to correct this error.

This error usually occurs after a Windows 10 update or when you create a new user profile. Some users have also reported this error after completing a system restore. Whatever the case, we have listed two ways to fix it below. If you are currently facing this annoying error on your Windows 10 computer, you can resolve it using any of the methods below.

Method 1: Replace the NTUSER.dat file

One of the most cited causes of User profile cannot be loaded error on Windows 10 is a corrupt or damaged NTUSER.dat file. Windows stores your profile settings, preferences, configurations, etc. in this file. When you make changes to your computer, say you have changed your default browser, background image, display resolution, etc., all the changes are saved to the NTUSER.dat file.

During an operating system upgrade process, the file may be damaged or corrupted. With a corrupt NTUSER.DAT, you may have difficulty logging into your profile. Hence the User profile cannot be loaded Fault. To resolve this issue, you can replace the NTUSER.dat file in your computer’s default profile with an uncorrupted NTUSER.dat file. Here’s how.

Step 1: Connect to another profile on your computer.

2nd step: Launch the file explorer and open the Local Disk folder (C :).

Step 3: Double-click Users to open the folder.

Step 4: The default profile folder is, by default, always hidden on a Windows PC. Tap the Hidden Items box to check it.

This will make the default profile folder (as well as other hidden files) visible in your file explorer.

Step 5: Press Default twice.

Step 6: Find the file NTUSER.DAT and rename it. Alternatively, you can move it to another folder on your computer or an external storage device (for example a USB flash drive).

Now go back to the Users folder (C: Users) and copy the NTUSER.DAT file from your guest profile (or any other profile that works) to the default user folder.

Step 7: Double-tap the Guest Profile folder (or the name of the Guest folder on your computer).

Step 8: Copy the NTUSER.DAT file from the Guest Profile folder and paste it into the Default Profile folder.

Now try to reconnect to the profile that displayed the User profile cannot be loaded error and you should be able to connect successfully.

Note: If you do not have a guest profile, you can start your computer in safe mode and replace the corrupted NTUSER.DAT file in the default profile folder.

Method 2: Correct the Startup Type of the User Profile Service

On Windows devices, the User Profile service is responsible for loading (and unloading) user profiles. If something is wrong with the configuration of this service, or if it is stopped / disabled, you may have difficulty logging into your profile on your PC.

If method # 1 above does not work, changing and ensuring that your user profile service startup type is set to Automatic should help you. To do this, you need to access Windows Service Manager. But since you cannot connect to your computer, you must start your PC in Safe Mode to access Windows Service Manager.