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.

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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
    2018-08-12T20:50:54+00:00

    Hey there, maciejoyce.

    Have you tried using your password to log in? If you have forgotten your password, and you are using a Microsoft Account, reset it at https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-12T17:26:45+00:00

    Hi I’m Linnell I'm a fellow Community member here to help.

    On the screen does it have a prompt forgot password or sign in options? if not First Try:

    Holding down the power key to turn off system. Turn system back on do you have the same problem?

    If so

    Try logging into safe mode it will require username and password

    Press and hold the shift key while you power back up

    You should get a menu Select Troubleshoot>Advanced Options> Startup Settings> Restart >>Choose Enable Safe mode with networking.

    After booting the machine with safe mode, will prompt for password to login. Log in and Make changes.

    2 choices

    1 Remove identification data, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Windows Hello, select Remove.

    Or 2 add a Pin as backup

    Open the Start menu.

    Search for “Sign-in options.”

    Under PIN click “Add.”

    Create a PIN.

    To exit Safe Mode, open the System Configuration tool by opening the Run command (keyboard shortcut: Windows key + R) and typing msconfig then Ok.

    Tap or click the Boot tab, uncheck the Safe boot box, hit Apply, and then Ok. Restarting your machine will exit Safe mode and Restart

    I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask questions and let us know how it goes.

    Regards

    Linnell

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-08-12T16:37:46+00:00

    My facial recognition is not working and my pin is disabled. I can not log in

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-08-11T23:01:03+00:00

    I had the same problem and managed to fix it, but i had to reboot into safe mode and then do a full re-install of Windows.

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