Windows 8, group policy client service failed sign in

Anonymous
2012-12-25T13:27:15+00:00

Hello,

I'm running Windows 8 Professional, and in the last couple of days have experienced random errors trying to login.

Firstly, when I log in as a standard user, I get the message "Group policy client service failed sign in", and cannot login.  If I try to log in as Administrator I can log in but Windows recreates the profile from scratch and when I get to the start menu I have no apps displayed, and cannot find any programs via search.  This problem has happened twice now, and it seems to temporarily fix itself after rebooting, however this morning it took 4 reboots to fix.

I also get the error "Windows couldn't connect to the system event notification service", and again this seems to fix itself after a few reboots.

I have scanned my SDD on which the OS installed and there are no reported errors.

I am worried that on the next reboot the problem will revert and will not be fixable.  Please can you tell me how to fix this.

Kind regards,

Matthew

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2013-02-25T18:52:57+00:00

OK, guys, I already posted solution in other threads and it is for Windows 7. But, It looks like it is exactly the same issue, and a very wide-spread one - caused by crash during reboot initiated by Windows Update.  I am re-posting here.  If someone can test on Windows 8 would be great.  If you need my help let me know - I am actually very interested in testing it on Windows 8.

I had this issue on my laptop since November, and it really bugged me.  I sifted through the event log and found the pattern of events that preceded the issue, and, probably, caused it.

In short, the pattern is as follows: Windows updates run automatically as scheduled, and when reboot is initiated after the updates are finished, the computer crashes (probably during reboot sequence).  When it boots up, it reports that the last shutdown was unexpected, and the issue begins to occur.

I spent 2 days trying to dig out a solution from the Internet, to no avail, until I came across this page.  It doesn't say anything about this particular problem, but it gives more information about SVCHOST process that starts many services, including Group Policy Client.  It looks like during reboot a vital registry settings were lost during crash and Group Policy Client "doesn't know" how to start.  Let me explain:

There are two places to look in the registry:

  1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services this path should contain gpsvc key (a folder), which is responsible for service parameters and configuration.  I found that the key was intact, so, you do not touch anything here - just check that the key exists.
  2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SVCHOST This is the most important path you should look into, as it must contain the keys and values referred in the key #1.  Below are descriptions what must be present there.
  • There must be Multi-String value called GPSvcGroup. My laptop was missing it.  So, you should create multi-string value named GPSvcGroup and assign it value GPSvc.
  • Next, you must create a key (a folder) and name it GPSvcGroup - this key normally should be there, but, again, it was missin on my laptop.
  • Then open newly-created GPSvcGroup folder and create 2 DWORD values:
  1. First called AuthenticationCapabilities and you must give it a value of 0x00003020 (or 12320 in decimal)
  2. Second is called CoInitializeSecurityParam and it must have value of 1.

Once you complete all steps above, reboot the computer and the problem will be fixed.

Here is the link to the video walkthrough if you have any troubles understanding what has to be done:http://youtu.be/4m5KEmckWK4

http://youtu.be/4m5KEmckWK4

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-05T12:14:44+00:00

    Hello Chris,

    Thank you for the update.

    I appreciate that you have provided the screenshot of the issue.

    You may check if the services which appear in "Dependencies" tab are running and automatic. If not, please start them and check the issue.

    If it does not help, then please enable built-in administrator account and check if the service is working.

    Please use following steps to enable built-in administrator account.

    a. Press Windows + X keys and select command prompt(admin).

    b. Type the following command in the command prompt and press Enter.

    net user administrator /active:yes

    c. Later, you may disable built-in administrator account. Please type the following command in the

    command prompt and press Enter.

    net user administrator /active:no

    I hope this information helps.

    Thank you

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-05T11:40:28+00:00

    Dear Ratandeep

    I believe that we are way beyond this point.  The service is not running, and is set on automatic start:

     

    Thereafter, if we look at the properties, all of the desirable options are greyed out:

    Do you have anything more substantive to add?

    Regards

    Chris

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-05T06:29:50+00:00

    Hello Chris,

    Thank you for your response.

    I would suggest you to check if the group policy client service is started and set as automatic.

    a. Press Windows + R keys, type services.msc in run window and press Enter.

    b. Scroll down to "Group Policy Client" service.

    c. Make sure it is set to Automatic and started. If not, double click the service, select "Automatic" in startup type and click "Start".

    d. Click apply and ok.

    Please do let us know if you need any further assistance.

    Thank you

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-05T04:07:59+00:00

    How to fix the service fault does not inform us as to how to prevent it happening.  I have a mixed PC/Mac environment running peer-to-peer networking for 5 users.  4 are Win8.1PRO.  One routinely suffers from failure of the Group Policy Client Service, and one does so very intermittently.  Both are HP laptops in "desktop replacement" function.  While one solution is to make all users administrators, this kind of defeats the purpose of having a distinction in rights.  As the network administrator I am completely unkeen with the idea that users need ever deal with Registry.  I don't want to keep bobbing up to implement the same fix over and over again.

    Time for MS to take an interest in posting a permanent solution....

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