Surface won't let me log in "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change in security settings."

Anonymous
2018-06-11T15:32:25+00:00

Greetings,

I have a Surface Pro running Windows 10.  When I opened it this morning Hello did not recognize me and said "Your PIN is required to sign in."  When I tried to put my PIN in it says "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change in security settings..."  I have not created a USB boot drive.  How do I get logged in?

**Moved to Windows Hello as this is not a problem with the Surface**

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows Hello, lock screen and sign-in

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2018-07-01T16:34:05+00:00

I had this same issue on a family member's computer. I chatted with Microsoft and the only way we could get it fixed was a system reset. I'd say try a restore if you have a restore point first. This was a fairly new computer (Surface Laptop purchased a month ago). After the reset, facial recognition started working again as did the option for a PIN.

Reset this PC.

  1. From the sign-in screen, press and hold the shift key on the keyboard, select the power icon in the lower-right corner of the screen, and then select Restart. Keep holding the shift key until the device restarts and the Choose an option screen appears on a blue background.
  2. Once Windows Recovery loads, release the shift button, and then select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Reset this PC> Keep my files.
  3. You should now be able to sign-in again.

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

93 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-09-06T09:47:04+00:00

    If you press the tab key, do options appear?

    You may end up needing to do a complete reset from a downloadable recovery image

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surfacerecoveryimage

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-05T23:00:18+00:00

    Yes I tried that and it goes to the home screen.  The home screen is blank with nothing but the screensaver.  There are no options to do anything

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-09-05T18:01:27+00:00

    You used Safe Mode with Networking? Can you sign in with your password or not?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2018-09-05T17:49:00+00:00

    My Surface pro laptop won't let me log in. "PIN no longer available due to change in security settings" is displayed. I tried to fix by starting the device in safe mode, as directed in many of the other posts. It won't let me access safe mode settings without bit locker recovery key.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments