Error (1332) when running an application with an impersonated user

  • 1 minute(s) read
Prev Next

Error (1332) when running an application with an impersonated user

Scenario

This document addresses an issue where the "The User Profile Service service failed the sign-in. User profile cannot be loaded" error occurs after performing user impersonation with EPM Windows. This can lead to desktop icon changes, an altered background, and inaccessible shortcuts, including the Windows Start menu and Task Manager.

Symptom

  • The following error message appears upon attempting to log in: "The User Profile Service service failed the sign-in. User profile cannot be loaded."
  • Desktop icons may be rearranged or changed.
  • The desktop background may be altered.
  • Shortcuts, including the Windows Start menu and Task Manager, may become inaccessible.

Likely Cause

This behavior can occur during impersonation scenarios due to manipulation of another user's profile. Registry entries related to the user profile may become corrupted or point to non-existent directories.

Solution

The following steps outline how to resolve the user profile sign-in failure by correcting registry entries.

Caution Modifying the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause serious system problems. Proceed with caution and ensure you have a backup of your registry before making any changes.

  1. Boot into Safe Mode: If possible, boot the affected system into Safe Mode. The method for entering Safe Mode may vary depending on your Windows version. Consult Microsoft documentation for specific instructions.

  2. Open the Registry Editor:

    • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    • Type regedit and click OK.

  3. Navigate to the ProfileList Key:

    • In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

  1. Inspect ProfileImagePath Entries:

    • Under the ProfileList key, you will see several subkeys (usually starting with S-1-5). Examine each subkey.
    • Within each subkey, locate the ProfileImagePath value.
    • Verify that the path specified in ProfileImagePath corresponds to an existing user profile directory.

  2. Correct or Delete Invalid Entries:

    • If a ProfileImagePath entry points to a non-existent directory, carefully delete the corresponding subkey (e.g., the entire S-1-5-xx key that contains the incorrect ProfileImagePath).
    • Alert! Deleting the wrong registry key can cause significant system issues. Double-check the subkey before deleting it.

  3. Restart the Computer:

    • Close the Registry Editor.
    • Restart the computer.
    • Attempt to log in to the affected user account.

Conclusion

After following these steps, the user profile sign-in error should be resolved, and the user should be able to log in successfully. If the issue persists, contact Segura technical support for further assistance.