Share via

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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question. To protect privacy, user profiles for migrated questions are anonymized.

0 comments
Accepted answer
  1. 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

    152 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

162 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2012-12-31T20:06:55+00:00

    I'm having the exactly same problem....

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-09T15:29:02+00:00

    just got this error this morning. It is unnerving

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-22T04:32:58+00:00

    Got the same on Win 8 Pro, fine after reboot. The computer is NOT part of domain. Running an SSD too.

    The App event log shows an app/service crash:

    Faulting application name: svchost.exe_wuauserv, version: 6.2.9200.16420, time stamp: 0x505a9a4e

    Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.2.9200.16420, time stamp: 0x505ab405

    Exception code: 0xc0000005

    Fault offset: 0x00000000000055b9

    Faulting process id: 0x378

    Faulting application start time: 0x01cdf6d7ac157eab

    Faulting application path: C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe

    Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll

    Report Id: 78603a3e-644a-11e2-be70-001e4fe7932e

    Faulting package full name:

    Faulting package-relative application ID:

    The System log shows number of Errors as SCM tries to restart failing services...

    Any hints appreciated!

    Thanks!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-01-22T12:44:54+00:00

    I am still having this issue unfortunately.

    I have tried calling Microsoft UK customer support (+44 1954 713950) but after 6 hours remotely connected to my PC they had to close the office, but promised to get back to me by Weds 16th Jan via email.  I am still waiting. 

    I am therefore looking forward to another marathon session with them this Saturday.  If I get any resolution from them I will post it here.

    0 comments