How do I fix error code 0xE8000015?

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How do I fix error code 0xE8000015

Error code 0xE8000015 is a fairly common error that can occur in Windows for a variety of reasons. The error indicates that Windows was unable to properly load the user profile. There are several potential causes and solutions for this error, which we will cover in detail in this article.

What Causes Error Code 0xE8000015?

There are a few main culprits that could be the source of error code 0xE8000015:

  • Corrupted registry keys related to the user profile
  • Corrupted local profile cache files
  • Issues with profile loading in the registry
  • Problems with user folders or libraries
  • Damaged hard drive sectors

The most common reasons for error 0xE8000015 relate to corruption or damage to parts of the registry or file system that store user profile information. The user profile contains your settings and data and is loaded every time you log into your Windows account. If this profile data becomes damaged or corrupted, Windows will fail to load the profile properly, resulting in the 0xE8000015 error.

How to Fix Error Code 0xE8000015

There are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix error 0xE8000015:

Method 1: Use the System File Checker

The System File Checker is a built-in Windows tool that can scan for and replace corrupted system files. To run the System File Checker:

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt by searching for “Command Prompt”, right-clicking it, and selecting “Run as administrator”
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
  3. Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time
  4. Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved

The System File Checker will scan Windows system files and replace any corrupt files it finds with a cached copy. This may help resolve the 0xE8000015 error if it was caused by system file corruption.

Method 2: Use DISM

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is another built-in Windows tool that can repair system image files. To use DISM:

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  3. Wait for DISM to complete the scan and repairs
  4. Restart your PC and see if the error persists

DISM scans Windows for corruption issues with system image files and performs repairs. Running this may fix error code 0xE8000015 if it is caused by damage to Windows system images.

Method 3: Create a New User Profile

If the System File Checker and DISM scans don’t resolve the issue, it’s likely your user profile itself is damaged. You can create a new user profile and migrate your data to it:

  1. Sign into Windows with a different user account
  2. Open Settings and go to Accounts > Family & other users
  3. Click “Add someone else to this PC” and create a new user account
  4. Sign out and sign in to the new account
  5. Copy your files and data from the old profile to the new profile
  6. Delete the old user profile

This will create a fresh user profile without any corruption issues. After migrating your files over, the 0xE8000015 error should no longer occur when signing in.

Method 4: Run CHKDSK

CHKDSK analyzes your hard drive for file system errors and bad sectors. To run CHKDSK:

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt
  2. Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter (replace C: with your Windows drive letter if different)
  3. Allow CHKDSK to run and repair any found errors
  4. Restart your PC afterwards

CHKDSK might be able to repair drive errors that could be causing the 0xE8000015 problem.

Method 5: Reset Your User Profile

You can also try fully resetting your user profile:

  1. Open Registry Editor by typing “regedit” into the Start menu
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
  3. Delete the key associated with your username
  4. Restart your computer

This will delete your user profile information from the registry and cause your profile to be rebuilt from scratch when you log back in. If profile corruption was the issue, this should fix error 0xE8000015 moving forward.

Method 6: Perform a Repair Install

A repair install of Windows 10 can help replace corrupted system files while retaining your data and applications. To do this:

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery
  2. Under “Advanced startup”, click Restart now
  3. After restarting to the recovery menu, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Reinstall Windows 10
  4. Choose the repair install option to retain files and apps

The repair install will reinstall Windows while preserving your user profiles and data. This is an aggressive step but can resolve many system file and configuration issues causing 0xE8000015.

What Causes Profile Loading Errors Like 0xE8000015?

In general, error code 0xE8000015 is ultimately caused by something going wrong during the user profile loading process in Windows. Some common reasons this vital process can fail include:

  • Corrupted registry hives containing profile configuration
  • Missing or damaged profile cache files (.db, .dat, etc)
  • Problems loading the NTUSER.dat registry hive
  • Issues loading profile folders like Documents or Downloads
  • Drive errors preventing access to profile files

Windows keeps track of user profiles via registry entries like NTUSER.dat. If this data is corrupted or incorrect, trying to load the profile will result in the 0xE8000015 error. Similarly, if critical profile files themselves are damaged or missing, loading the profile is not possible.

How to Prevent Error 0xE8000015 in the Future

Once you’ve resolved error code 0xE8000015 using the steps above, you can take measures to prevent it from occurring again down the line:

  • Periodically run CHKDSK scans to catch drive errors early
  • Make sure you shut down Windows properly and don’t Force Shut Down
  • Keep your Windows installation up-to-date with the latest updates
  • Don’t install unofficial registry cleaners or system optimizers
  • Use a UPS to prevent unexpected power losses
  • Handle drives carefully to avoid physical damage

Carefully shutting down your PC, keeping Windows updated, avoiding 3rd party system utilities, and preventing drive damage are some best practices that can help avoid future user profile corruption issues.

Conclusion

Error code 0xE8000015 is generally caused by some form of corruption or damage to the user profile that prevents Windows from loading it properly at login. There are several effective troubleshooting steps you can take like scanning with SFC and DISM, repairing the drive with CHKDSK, or resetting the user profile to fix the problem. Taking care to shut down your PC properly, keeping Windows maintained, and preventing drive damage can help prevent this error from recurring in the future.