Windows: “User username (SessionId=2) could not be logged off. Access is denied.” Fix

Mitch Bartlett Comments (24)

Users of Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Vista may receive an error when they try to log off a user using Task Manager. Here’s how to work around this issue.

User username (SessionId=2) could not be logged off. Access is denied.

  1. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar, then choose “Task Manager” to open the Task Manager window.
  2. Select the “Processes” tab
  3. Choose “Show processes from all users“.
  4. When prompted type the administrator password.
  5. Task manager should now run in Administrator Mode. End Task for processes that are running from users that are disconnected.
  6. Switch to the “Users” tab and log off the user. You may want to also logoff any other users who are “Disconnected”.

For Physically Console Logged-in users, all Processes needs to be “Closed” or “End Task”. In some instances, this process will not work. In that case, you may have to login with a different account that has administrator rights.

Author Mitch Bartlett

Through my career that spans over 20 years I have become an expert in Microsoft Systems Administration, Android, and macOS. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful knowledgebase for everyone.

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Comments

  2. I was just helped by this solution, had problems logging off an user due to profile issues.
    Thanks again and greetings from Sweden. :)

  8. Thanks you very much. This solution helped me too.

    I had to end the processes and then disconnect the user.

  9. Hi guys.
    I’ve try this at home and it works great, just a question.
    I need log off users from my work computer but I have not administrator privileges.
    Is there any option I can use?

  11. After closing all the Processes for all “Disconnected Users’ I was able to ‘LogOff’ those users.
    2 Distinction of Logged Users – Actual RDP’d users and Physical console logon.

    For Physically Console Logged-in users, all Processes needs to be ‘Closed’ or ‘End Task”
    For RDP’d users, you can right-click then logoff that user.

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