12 solutions for when your Windows 10 PIN isn’t working

Microsoft Windows 10 came with Hello, an easier way to log into your computer. No need to remember long and complicated passwords. Just enter your PIN and you are logged in. However, some people forget their PIN and remain locked out of the computer. Others have found that the PIN simply doesn’t work even though it might be correct. How to do when the Windows 10 PIN doesn’t work?

There could be other reasons if there is a problem and your PIN is not available. Let’s say you share your laptop with someone else and that person changed their PIN and forgot to tell you.

12 solutions for when your Windows 10 PIN isn’t working

Maybe it’s a mistake or a bug? It could be any cause. However, we have written a list of proven solutions that have helped solve the problem when the Windows 10 PIN does not reset or does not work properly. Let’s start.

1. Have you turned on Caps Lock on the keyboard?

Some newer laptop models do not have a caps lock LED light. With no visual indication, there’s no way to know if it’s on, especially when the Windows operating system can’t detect it. You will see blackheads instead. Check the caps lock and also the number lock while you are at it.

Click and hold the Preview Password option on the far right of the box to see what you just entered. This is another way to make sure that caps lock is turned off, or that the right language is selected, or that you are entering the correct password.

2. Is the language correct?

It happened to one of my friends. We were about to start a game session when he decided to take a short break. Someone changed the login screen language from the drop-down menu and their PIN stopped working.

If this happened to you, you will find the option in the lower right corner of the screen. It should be displayed as EN or ENG for English, but it will depend on the chosen language. Make sure it says what it should say or click it once to change the input language.

3. User account

Have you set up multiple user accounts? Maybe a guest user account? Check at the bottom left of the screen to make sure the correct user account is selected. Try again to check if the Windows 10 PIN is working or not.

4. On-screen keyboard

Notice an option to launch an on-screen keyboard? Click it to type your Windows 10 PIN using a virtual keyboard instead of a physical one. There may be some problem with your keyboard. Remember to check with another keyboard and update the keyboard and mouse drivers once logged in. For safety.

5. Restart

Some users have reported this old trick. A bug or random error could be responsible for the following: You entered an incorrect PIN too many times Windows 10. Try restarting your computer once or do a forced restart. Press and hold the power button until it turns off. Then wait a few seconds and reboot.

Some users have also witnessed the error “It appears that Windows did not load correctly”, usually followed by the option “View advanced options” or “Restart your PC”. Just restart.

6. Remove the battery

Some users have been able to fix the Windows 10 PIN not working error by removing the laptop battery. You may need to remove a few screws, but the process is fairly straightforward. Newer models do not offer an externally removable battery. Remove the battery and connect the laptop using a power cord, then try again.

7. Use the password if the Windows 10 PIN doesn’t work

Can you view the password screen instead? Some users are greeted with the password screen instead of the one prompting them to enter their PIN.

Can you view the login options? Click once to select the Microsoft account password button. Now you can enter it to log into your computer. You will only notice this option if you are signed in to your computer’s Microsoft account. If you’re using Windows 10 offline or without a license (trial version), that door is closed.

Not sure if you enter the correct password or if caps lock is on / off (again, no problem with the indicator)? Click and hold the Preview Password option on the far right to see what you just entered.

Don’t remember your password because you were relying on your PIN? That’s why you should always remember or write down important passwords somewhere safe.

You can use the Hint function to try to remember the password. It will show up when you enter the wrong password / PIN once or twice. For example, your first school name or your childhood nickname.

8. Forgotten Windows 10 PIN

You will notice this option just below the box where you enter your Windows 10 PIN. Click on it once and follow the onscreen instructions to reset your PIN. This will involve entering your Microsoft account email ID to receive an email confirming that you want to change it and it’s not someone else trying to get into your computer.

Enter the captcha and you should receive a code via email which you will enter to verify your identity and then you will be asked to create a new PIN / password.

9. Administrator account

If you’re using a corporate computer connected to a server, talk to your administrator or IT employee. He / she should be able to fix it for you.

This problem or situation is exactly why you should have another administrator or guest account as a backup. You can simply reset your password / PIN or create or delete a user account using an administrator account. Do this once you have access to make sure it never happens to you again. Smart people always have a backup plan.

10. What to do after gaining access to the computer

Here are some steps you can or should take once you can log back into your Windows 10 computer. Make sure this never happens to you again.

• Write down your PIN, password, and answers to offline security questions
• If necessary, create a new PIN
• Create a new user account as the old one may be damaged
• Create a new / backup administrator account

11. Cannot set PIN Windows 10

If you are unable to set a new PIN, please follow the steps below. Empty the contents of the Ngc folder located in the underlying folder path (enable hidden files in the View tab in File Explorer).

C: Windows ServiceProfiles LocalService AppData Local Microsoft

Can’t access the folder? Right-click to select Properties and select Advanced on the Security tab. Click Edit next to System / Owner. I see the owner on the screen but some users also see the system.

• Enter the user account name or the administrator only if you are using an administrator account in “Enter the object name to select”. Click Check Names, then click OK.
• Select “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” and click Apply, then OK.

You should now be able to access the Ngc folder. Open it and delete everything inside, not the folder itself. You should be able to create a new PIN.

12. Group Policy Editor

Open the Group Policy Editor from the Start menu. Go to the folder path below. Only available for Windows Home users.

Administrative Templates> System> Access

Double-click “Enable Handy PIN Login” on the right and click Enabled here. Save everything and exit. Check if the Windows 10 PIN still doesn’t work for you.