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
    2018-08-30T06:07:17+00:00

    I just tried to restart using safe mode and then "Start up repair" but this failed with a quote to try "Advanced Options" for another way to fix.

    If the machine is brand new should I be spending so much time fixing it???

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-30T05:57:25+00:00

    Hi

    It arrived yesterday but broke within 2 hours last night. I spent several further hours dealing with your team (case reference 1438819224). The facial recognition had been locked out allowing pin only but the Laptop gave a message stating "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change to the security settings on this device." It then suggests using settings etc to change the pin but if I cant get access to the machine how can I do this?

    During the fix last night the Laptop was reset to factory settings and after a couple of hours sorting, it worked - yay. I set it up using Pin only and no facial recognition but this morning the same message appears and I am locked out again!!

    Very frustrated, brand new, need it next week for college - help me Microsoft!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-08-28T16:44:51+00:00

    Use your full-length password to log in. Some settings might have changed, and PIN sign-in and Windows Hello might be locked out.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2018-08-28T13:06:41+00:00

    After about 4 hours of the IT gents at microsoft  playimg around with it, they said it must just be a bad unit, and replaced the entire computer since it was still under a year of ownership. Honestly, this may be your best move if your looking to save the headache, time, and frustration. Best of luck.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments