How to fix “An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token That Does Not Exist” in Windows 10/11

If you’re seeing the error “An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist” on your Windows 10 or 11 machine, you’re not alone—and yes, it’s fixable.

This frustrating message usually pops up when trying to open apps, log in, or perform certain administrative tasks. It’s often tied to broken user profiles, corrupted system files, or Windows update issues.

Here’s a clear breakdown of how to fix it.

✅ 1. Boot into Safe Mode

First, get into Safe Mode, which gives you a cleaner environment to troubleshoot without third-party interference.

How:

1. Hold Shift and click Restart from the Start menu power options.
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. Press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.

🛠️ 2. Create a New Local User Account

Corrupt user profiles are a common cause. Try creating a new one.

Steps:

1. In Safe Mode, open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run the following: net user NewUsername NewPassword /add net localgroup administrators NewUsername /add
3. Restart and log in with the new account. If it works, your original profile is likely corrupted.

🔍 3. Run System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted system files can trigger this token error. Let Windows scan and repair them.

Command:

sfc /scannow

Run this in an elevated Command Prompt (as Administrator).

🧰 4. Use DISM to Repair Windows Image

If SFC doesn’t resolve it, go deeper with DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool).

Command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for it to complete—this can take a while. Afterward, restart.

🔄 5. Uninstall Problematic Updates

This error sometimes appears after a Windows update. If it started happening recently, roll back the update.

How:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History.
2. Click Uninstall Updates.
3. Look for any recent ones—especially cumulative or security updates—and uninstall.

🧼 6. Reset Windows (Last Resort)

If all else fails and the error persists across all accounts, it’s time to reset Windows.

Warning:

This will remove apps, but you can keep personal files if you choose the right option.

How:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
3. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.

Final Thoughts

This error isn’t fatal—but it is disruptive. In most cases, a new user profile or system repair tools like SFC and DISM can clear it up. If you’re still stuck, don’t hesitate to contact Microsoft Support or your IT admin—especially if this is happening in a work environment.

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