How to Fix Auto Login Not Working on Windows 11

Fix the “Auto Login Not Working” Issue

The simple auto-login function in Windows 11 offers a means to avoid the inconvenience of manually entering passwords. You don’t even need to click the SIGN IN button when your PC is booted up if auto-login is set because the system will launch to the desktop automatically. But periodically, for a variety of unexplained reasons, this time-saving feature may cease working, forcing you to repeatedly type your password upon restart.

Windows 11, the latest iteration of Microsoft’s iconic operating system, comes packed with a multitude of features and enhancements. One of these features is the auto-login feature, which allows users to skip the login screen and access their desktops quickly. However, like any complex software, Windows 11 is not immune to occasional hiccups, and Auto Login Not Working issues can be frustrating to deal with. If you’re facing the “Auto Login Not Working on Windows 11” issue, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through various troubleshooting steps to help you fix this Auto Login Not Working issue and enjoy the seamless login experience that Windows 11 promises.

What is Auto Login in Windows 11

Before diving into the troubleshooting steps, let’s briefly understand what auto-login is in Windows 11. Auto-login, also known as automatic login, is a feature that allows users to bypass the login screen and directly access their desktops without entering a password or PIN. This feature can be convenient, especially for single-user systems or devices in a secure environment.

However, auto-login is not without its risks. It potentially compromises your system’s security, as anyone with physical access to your computer can access your data without a password. Therefore, it’s crucial to use this feature judiciously and ensure that your system is adequately protected in other ways.

Why Auto Login Not Working issue occur

The “Auto Login Not Working” issue on Windows 11 can occur due to various reasons, and understanding these underlying causes is essential for effective troubleshooting. Here are some common reasons why this issue may occur:

• Incorrect User Account Settings: Incorrectly configured user account settings can prevent auto-login from working. If your user account settings require a password or PIN, it can interfere with the auto-login process.
• Password Changes: If you recently changed your account password and didn’t update the auto-login settings accordingly, it can lead to login issues. Auto-login relies on saved credentials, so any password changes must be reflected in the settings.
• Windows Updates: Sometimes, Windows updates may introduce compatibility issues or bugs that affect auto-login functionality. It’s essential to keep your operating system up to date to mitigate such problems.
• Corrupted User Profile: A corrupted user profile can lead to auto-login problems. If your user profile is damaged, the auto-login feature may not function correctly.

When Auto Login Not Working on Windows 11 unexpectedly, we’ve covered every potential cure. Now let’s get to the fixes!

Troubleshooting Auto Login Not Working Issues on Windows 11

Now, let’s get down to the business of troubleshooting and fixing the “Auto Login Not Working on Windows 11” issue. Follow these step-by-step instructions to resolve the problem:

1. Create New Credential Files

Windows keeps password files that are encrypted to enable automatic account logins after a restart. The files known as “credential files” are where your login username and password are kept. Therefore, if such files become corrupted, auto-login will definitely stop working.

Auto Login Not Working on Windows 11 errors are frequently fixed by giving new sign-in information by deleting the corrupted credential files and generating new ones.

• Open the “Control panel.“
• Go to “Credential Manager” under” User Accounts.“
• Then select “Add a Windows credential” under “Windows Credentials.”

• There, you must provide your network address, user account name, and password.

2. Perform a System Restore

Going back to before the issues emerged may fix any software-related issues if auto-login was typically working before a certain date and subsequently stopped working after changes were made.

System Restore successfully undoes any changes to the Windows system files that might have caused incompatibilities and are currently preventing auto-login from working. So, the following procedures will restore your computer to an earlier state:

• Type “System Restore” on the Windows search box
• Click on “Create a Restore Point”.

• Click on System Restore under the “System Protection” tab.

• It will prompt you to select a certain date and open the restoring window.

• If you previously created a restore point, you should utilize it; otherwise, the computer will display a recommended date for restoration. Then click “Finish” to complete the process.
• The finishing time is a few minutes. When finished, your computer will reboot.

3. Restart Windows Services

Several context Different facets of managing user profiles and enabling automated logins are within the control of Windows services. This is why, if any of these become unresponsive, restarting them frequently fixes Auto Login Not Working issues.

• Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
• Here is a list of the associated services you need to restart now that you know how to restart the services.
  • Service for Credential Manager User Profiles
  • Local Session Administrator
  • Service for Local Profile Assistants
  • User Coordinator

• These login services must initialize anew in the background when restarted. Any frozen or unresponsive services preventing auto-login on the Windows lock screen are often fixed by doing this.

4. Switch to Local Account

Using a Microsoft account might occasionally result in a Windows Auto Login Not Working. We advise switching to a local account as a test because of this. The advantage is that local accounts keep login information locally, thus there are no external syncing problems.

• Open “Settings” from the Start menu.
• Go to Accounts > Other users.
• Under “Other users,” click “Add account.”
• Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account.
• Log in with the newly created account and check if the error persists.

5. Re-enable Auto-Login Using the Registry Editor

This step should be approached with caution, as editing the Windows Registry can cause system instability if done incorrectly. Here’s how to proceed:

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type regedit and press Enter.
• Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
• Look for the AutoAdminLogon key on the right-hand side.
• If it’s not present, right-click in the right-hand pane, choose New > String Value, and name it AutoAdminLogon.
• Double-click on AutoAdminLogon and set its value data to 1.

• Create a new string value named DefaultPassword and enter your password as its value data.
• Create another string value named DefaultUsername and enter your username as its value data.
• Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

6. Use the NETPLWIZ Command

In Windows, the advanced User Accounts utility is launched with the netplwiz command. From that utility, you can specify the administration of login preferences and other associated choices.

The good news is that you can re-enable the auto-login configuration using netplwiz. This can successfully fix any policy or corruption issues that may be caused by the Auto Login Not Working issue.

To use the netplwiz command on Windows, adhere to the following steps:

• Click “Open” after entering “netplwiz” in the Windows search box.

• Click the chosen user account in the “User Accounts window“.
• Unselect the Users must enter a username and password to use this computer box. After that, click on Apply.
• After that, a window will open asking for your username and password. Next, select OK.

7. Uninstall the Recent Windows Update

New features, improved security patches, and other improvements come with Windows updates. In the past, updates themselves have occasionally been the cause of troubles, leading to crashes or problems with your software and hardware.

Therefore, there is no risk in uninstalling a newly released defective update to find out whether it is the root of your Auto Login Not Working problem. The procedures are as follows:

• Go to the Windows Settings.
• Click “Windows Update” from the left-hand side menu.
• Then go to the Update history > Uninstall Updates.

8. Reset Windows

If none of the above steps work, you may consider resetting Windows 11. This should be your last resort, as it will remove all your installed programs and files. Make sure to back up your important data before proceeding:

• Press the Windows key + I to open Windows “Settings.”
• Click “System” from the left-hand side menu.
• Scroll down and, select the “Recovery” option.
• Under Recovery click on the “Reset PC.“

• Choose from Keep my Files and Remove everything. Then follow the guidelines on the screen to complete the resetting process.

9. Use a Third-Party Software Autologon

Specialized third-party applications offer several methods if Windows auto-login cannot be restored using all built-in troubleshooting techniques. An interface for forcing auto-login is provided by a widely used program named AutoLogon.

Without the requirement for administrative permissions, AutoLogon changes the Windows registry directly. Additionally, it enables auto-login for your account by disabling any system restrictions or rules that may be limiting the feature by default.

Conclusion

Auto login not working on Windows 11 can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the Auto Login Not Working issue and enjoy a seamless login experience once again. Remember to approach these steps carefully, and always prioritize your system’s security when using auto-login. By following the guidelines provided in this article, you should be well on your way to fixing the Auto Login Not Working issue and getting your Windows 11 auto-login back on track.