Windows Credential Manager loses credentials after reboot

If the Windows Credential Manager is losing credentials after reboot or logout, here is how you can fix the issue. Whether you are getting this problem on Windows 11, Windows 10, or any other version, you can go through the same solutions to get it fixed.

Windows Credential Manager helps you save the username and password of various websites, programs, networks, etc., so that you can use them automatically during login. By default, Windows Credential Manager should save the credentials, no matter whether you log out or restart your PC. Nonetheless, at times, it may not do what it should be. In such situations, you can follow these solutions to troubleshoot the issue and continue having credentials even after a reboot.

Windows Credential Manager loses credentials after reboot

If Credential Manager loses credentials after reboot on Windows 11/10 computers, follow these steps:

Restart the Credential Manager service
Re-create the Vault
Scan with adware/anti-malware
Run SFC and DISM scans.

To learn more about these above-mentioned steps, continue reading.

1] Restart the Credential Manager service

Windows Credential Manager runs in the background because of the Credential Manager service. If the service is gone, the Credential Manager won’t function properly. Therefore, you need to verify if the service is running or not.

On the other hand, if there are some internal conflicts in this service, you won’t be able to use the Credential Manager anymore. The easiest way to fix that issue is by restarting the service. In case you don’t know, follow these steps to restart the Credential Manager service:

Search for services in the Taskbar search box.
Click on the individual search result.
Find the Credential Manager service.
Double-click on it.
Click the Stop button.
Click the Start button.

Then, restart your computer and check if it resolves the issue or not.

Read: Credential Manager: The system cannot find the path specified, Error 0x80070003

2] Re-create the Vault

Windows Credential Manager uses a Vault to save or store all the data. This Vault is nothing, but a folder placed in the ProgramData directory in your system drive. If this folder is corrupted due to malware or adware or anything else, you might find the same problem as mentioned above.

That is why you can create this folder from scratch by removing all old data from it. As said, it is a folder, and you can delete this folder like deleting any other regular folder.

Therefore, follow these steps to re-create the Vault in Windows 11/10:

Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
Type %ProgramData%\Microsoft and hit the Enter button.
Right-click on Vault and select Delete.
Restart your computer and open Credential Manager.
Go to the Windows Credentials tab.
Click on the Add a Windows credential option.
Enter the network address, username, and password.
Click the OK button.

After that, check if the issue has been resolved or not.

Read: Credential Manager Error 0x80090345

3] Scan with adware/anti-malware

At times, malware and adware could cause this issue on your computer. If those things corrupt system files that are related to the Credential Manager, you won’t be able to utilize this utility properly. That is why it is recommended to scan your computer with a trustworthy anti-malware and adware removal tool.

Read: Credential Manager: Access is denied error

4] Run SFC and DISM scans

To eliminate the possibility of file corruption, you may want to Run SystemFile Checker and DISM Tool scans.

You may download our freeware FixWin Windows repair tool to carry them out with a click!

Why won’t Windows remember my credentials?

There could be various reasons why Windows Credential Manager won’t remember your credentials. For example, if the Credential Manager service is not running, you won’t find the utility functioning properly. The second reason is if the Vault is corrupted, the same problem might occur. Lastly, it could be the corrupted user profile.

Read: Credential Manager not showing, opening or working properly

Why can’t I see my passwords in Credential Manager?

If you can’t see your passwords in the Credential Manager, you must switch between Web Credentials and Windows Credentials. Head to the Windows Credentials section to find the network or program passwords. On the other hand, if you want to find the website passwords, you can get them in the Web Credentials section.

Read: Credential Manager: UI Host is not responding RDP error.