It can also be caused by communication issues with domain controllers, which are needed for Group Policy functions in network environments. In this article, we will discuss several solutions to solve this error.
1. Edit Registry Using an Administrator Account
Changing the registry can help fix problems with the Group Policy Client service. By using an administrator account to access the registry, you can repair or remove entries that might be stopping the service from starting correctly. This process helps the system work properly again by getting rid of bad session data or fixing registry keys related to user profiles, allowing users to log in successfully. Note: Editing the Windows registry incorrectly can cause irreversible system damage. Make sure you follow instructions precisely and back up the registry before making any changes.
2. Take Ownership of Group Policy Registry Key
Sometimes, you need to fix permission issues to make things work right again. By taking control of the Group Policy registry key, you get the permissions needed to change or fix it. This step makes sure the system can read and use the required Group Policy settings, which might be blocked due to incorrect ownership or access restrictions.
3. Use System Restore Point
Using a system restore point can fix your system by bringing it back to a time when everything was working well. System Restore does this by undoing recent changes to system files and settings. Since this error can happen because of messed-up system settings, using a restore point makes things stable again without affecting your personal files.
3.1. Log into the System with Another Account
3.2. If You Only Have One Account
By going into the advanced startup options, you can restore your PC to the previous point. If your system error persists or you did not have a restore point, you can reset your system. This will, however, clear all your apps, but your data will be kept. Use the advanced startup options, but instead, choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Keep my files.
4. Turn Off Fast Startup
Turning off fast startup can fix the problem because this feature doesn’t fully shut down the system, and some things (like Group Policy) might not reset properly. When you disable it, the system shuts down completely, making sure everything restarts fresh, which can stop issues with the Group Policy Client service during future logins.
6. Restart Group Policy Service and Reset Winsock
To address this error, you might consider refreshing both the Group Policy Client service and the Winsock catalog. Restarting the Group Policy service helps reset important parts of the system needed to apply policies and user settings, which might have failed at startup. Resetting Winsock clears network settings and can help resolve networking issues that could affect Group Policy’s ability to connect with necessary services.
7. Re-logging in a Specific Order
Sometimes, logging in using a specific order can help fix system processes that are stuck. First, log into an admin account, then switch to the problem user account. This gives the system a chance to restart important Group Policy services. It can clear out any problems with user profiles or services, potentially fixing access issues without needing a full restart. This method ensures the system reapplies the necessary settings and permissions. Let’s suppose you have three accounts (or two). One of them is not working where the error comes forward. Here we will refer to the problematic account as Account_Problem, and working accounts as Working_1 and Working_2. Note: You can perform the same steps even if you don’t have three accounts.
