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

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-09-10T10:20:47+00:00

    Were you running in S mode or did you convert ?

    you can try to fix this by starting your device in safe mode.

    1. Restart your computer while holding the SHIFT button.
    2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
    3. Click the Restart button.
    4. Select Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

    Once in safe mode, try to remove the PIN.

    1. Click the Start button.
    2. Click Settings from the list on the left.
    3. Select Accounts.
    4. Select Sign-in options from the menu.
    5. Under the PIN section click on Remove.
    6. Type in your password if prompted.
    7. Restart your Surface.

    There is a good tutorial on starting in safe mode at

    https://www.lovemysurface.net/safe-mode-on-surface/

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-10T02:05:08+00:00

    This website talks about using a Windows DVD. My Surface laptop did not come with one. The other option of download and burning won't work since I don't have another computer. Do you have any other suggestions besides wiping the computer?Because that's my very last option.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-09-09T23:59:46+00:00

    I can't log in to my laptop because the facial recognition didn't recognize me a couple of times and then said my pin is required to sign in, but when i go to type my pin in it says 'your pin is no longer available due to q change in your security settings on this device'

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