:**:**: Is there a way to bypass the login screen entirely?

How to Fix "Logged Out When Starting Up Windows 10" Issue

1. Introduction: What is the "Logged Out When Starting Up Windows 10" Issue?

The issue you are facing, where Windows 10 logs you out during startup and prevents you from logging back in, is commonly related to a few potential causes: corrupted system files, faulty user profile, misconfigured login settings, or issues with the login credentials stored in the system.

This problem typically appears when Windows 10 is unable to properly authenticate the user during the login process. As a result, you get the error message: "Login failed, we hit an authentication error."

2. Common Causes of the "Logged Out When Starting Up" Error

Before jumping into the troubleshooting steps, it’s important to understand some of the most common causes of this issue:

Corrupted User Profile: If your user profile has become corrupted, it can prevent you from logging into your Windows 10 account.

Corrupted System Files: Corruption in system files can result in login problems. This can happen due to improper shutdowns, faulty software installations, or malware.

Windows Update Issues: Sometimes, Windows updates can introduce bugs or disrupt system settings, causing login failures.

Faulty Drivers or Software Conflicts: Conflicting software or outdated drivers can interfere with the login process.

Misconfigured Login Settings: If there are issues with Windows 10’s sign-in options or login settings, it can cause authentication failures.

Third-party Software (e.g., Antivirus, Backup Software): Some third-party applications, especially security software, can block or interfere with the login process.

3. Troubleshooting Steps to Fix the Issue

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode allows you to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. If the problem is related to third-party software or drivers, Safe Mode might allow you to log in successfully.

Start your PC.

Interrupt the boot process three times. You can do this by turning your PC off as it boots up, and repeating this until you see the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Once in WinRE, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Your PC will restart and display a list of startup options. Select 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.

After booting into Safe Mode, try logging in. If successful, the issue is likely related to a third-party app or service.

Step 2: Perform a System File Check (SFC Scan)

Corrupted system files can cause login issues. Use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair corrupted system files.

Open the Start Menu and type "Command Prompt" or "cmd".

Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: cmd

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sfc /scannow

Wait for the scan to complete. If any issues are found, the tool will attempt to fix them automatically.

After the scan is complete, restart your computer.

Step 3: Perform a Disk Check (CHKDSK)

A disk error might also be the cause of the login failure. Running a disk check can help identify and fix file system errors.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator (as shown in Step 2).

Type the following command and press Enter: cmd

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chkdsk C: /f /r

(If Windows is installed on a different drive, replace C: with the correct drive letter.)

When prompted to schedule the disk check for the next restart, type Y and press Enter.

Restart your computer to allow the disk check to run.

Step 4: Use Windows 10's Built-in Troubleshooter

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter that may help detect and fix login issues.

Open the Start Menu and type "Troubleshoot settings".

Select Troubleshoot settings and go to Additional troubleshooters.

Look for "Windows Store Apps" or "Sign-in Issues" in the list and run the troubleshooter.

Step 5: Reset Your User Profile or Create a New One

If your user profile is corrupted, you can either reset it or create a new one. If you can log into your account in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

Create a new user account:

Open the Start Menu, type "Settings", and select Accounts.

Under Family & other users, select Add someone else to this PC.

Follow the prompts to create a new user account.

Transfer files:

Log into the new account and move files from the old profile (located in C:\Users\OldProfileName) to the new account folder.

Delete the old account (if necessary):

After transferring files, you can delete the old, problematic user account from the Accounts settings.

Step 6: Repair Windows Using the Media Creation Tool

If none of the above steps works, you might need to repair your Windows installation.

Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website.

Run the tool and select Upgrade this PC now.

Follow the prompts to reinstall Windows while keeping your files and apps. This can fix many issues without deleting your data.

Step 7: Perform a System Restore

If the issue started recently after a Windows update or software installation, you can try performing a system restore to revert your PC to a previous state.

Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) (by interrupting the boot process, as mentioned in Step 1).

Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.

Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system to a point before the issue started.

Step 8: Update or Roll Back Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause issues with login. Try updating or rolling back your drivers to resolve the problem.

Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select Device Manager).

Look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark, which indicates a problem with the driver.

Right-click on the problematic device and select Update driver.

If the issue started after a recent driver update, you can try rolling back to the previous version by selecting Roll Back Driver.

4. Advanced Solutions for Persistent Issues

Solution 1: Reset Windows Password

If you believe the problem is related to your password or authentication issue, you can reset your Windows password through the following methods:

Microsoft Account:

If you use a Microsoft account, go to the Microsoft password reset page and follow the instructions.

Local Account:

If you use a local account, you can use the Offline NT Password & Registry Editor or boot into Safe Mode and change the password through the Command Prompt.

Solution 2: Perform a Clean Install of Windows 10

As a last resort, if nothing else works, you can perform a clean installation of Windows 10. This will erase all your data and applications, so be sure to back up your files first.

Use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive.

Boot from the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions to install a fresh copy of Windows.

5. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why am I getting the "Login Failed, Authentication Error" message on Windows 10?

This typically happens when there’s a problem with your user profile or login credentials, such as corrupted files or a misconfiguration in the login settings. Running a system file scan (SFC), disk check (CHKDSK), or repairing Windows should resolve this issue.

Q2: Can I fix this problem without losing my files?

Yes, many of the troubleshooting steps above (such as running SFC and CHKDSK or performing a system restore) will not affect your personal files. However, steps like performing a clean installation or deleting your user profile may result in data loss, so it’s essential to back up your files first.

Q3: How do I fix login issues with a Microsoft Account?

If you're using a Microsoft account and can't log in, visit the Microsoft account recovery page to reset your password or unlock your account.

Q4: What if I can't log in after updating Windows?

Windows updates sometimes cause login issues. If this is the case, try rolling back the update by booting into Advanced Startup options and selecting Uninstall Updates. Alte
atively, you can perform a system restore to a point before the update was installed.

Q5: Is there a way to bypass the login screen entirely?

Yes, you can configure Windows to bypass the login screen by enabling automatic login. This can be done using the User Accounts settings (type netplwiz in the Start menu), but keep in mind that this reduces security, especially if your device is used by multiple people.

6. Conclusion: Wrapping Up

The "Logged Out When Starting Up" issue in Windows 10 can be caused by various factors, including corrupted user profiles, system files, or conflicting software. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix the problem. If all else fails, you may need to consider a clean installation of Windows 10 to restore full functionality to your system.