Why can’t I log in using my PIN

Question

Why can’t I log in using my PIN

Kari Q 35

I get a “ credentials cannot be verified” error message when trying to log into laptop. When I click the “forgot PIN” link, it won’t prompt to change the PIN. Very frustrating!

Mirella 0 Reputation points

2026-02-17T18:11:29.86+00:00

I updated my security info on my laptop yesterday I have just opened my laptop again (the next day) and it is saying "something has happened and your PIN isn't available. Click here to set up your PIN again". I click on set up my PIN, go through the passkey key feature and then another box comes up giving me information that I requested an update.of security information and then the details and only has a CANCEL button at the bottom. When I click this, it takes me back to the first screen telling me that something has happened with my PIN. I now can't access my laptop which is very frustrating

Answer accepted by question author

John Oliver 11,680 Independent Advisor

Hello Kari Q, thanks for posting this in our community.

Windows Hello PIN verification often requires communication with Microsoft services, so first make sure your device is connected to the internet. If you’re on a corporate network, confirm that VPN or proxy settings aren’t blocking authentication.

Next, verify your account status. If you’re using a Microsoft Account, sign in at account.microsoft.com to confirm your credentials are valid.

If the issue persists, try restarting the device in Safe Mode with Networking. Sign in using your password instead of the PIN. If that works, restart normally and test the PIN again.

Since the “Forgot PIN” link doesn’t work, you can reset the Windows Hello PIN manually. Go to Settings >Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello), select Remove, then restart your device and set up a new PIN.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

John Oli

Teresia Wiley 5 Reputation points

2026-01-22T18:12:53.1566667+00:00

my laptop computer wont turn on pin code and error phone number
Teresia Wiley 5 Reputation points

2026-01-22T18:17:44.1433333+00:00

give me customer service phone so i can call to discuss
Philip Clowes 0 Reputation points

2026-02-05T12:55:20.73+00:00

Cannot access settings
Bruce Martin 0 Reputation points

2026-07-13T15:53:19.6966667+00:00

i do not want to use any other method than my pin. when i woke up my laptop it tells me “something happened” - well i did not do anything to other than let it go to sleep. i did not change any settings. as i said, i only want to use my pin - not a pass code, don’t text my phone, i want to enter my pin. that is why i set it up. it says to “click to set up your pin again”. when i click on it, setting up my already on record pin is not an option. it offers “choose a passkey”. i cancel out of that, and i get “We couldn’t sign you in”. so i click “”sign in another way”. that brings up a new window: Choose a way to sign in. the top choice is “face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key”. i click on this since PIN is an option, but it’s really not an option because when i click on it, circular logic happens and i’m back to “Choose a passkey” - even though PIN is clearly a choice on the prior window. so evidently my pin is not an option to sign in even though it is offered (and the offer is accepted) as such.

2 additional answers

Your answer

Mirella 0 Reputation points

2026-02-17T18:11:29.86+00:00

I updated my security info on my laptop yesterday I have just opened my laptop again (the next day) and it is saying "something has happened and your PIN isn't available. Click here to set up your PIN again". I click on set up my PIN, go through the passkey key feature and then another box comes up giving me information that I requested an update.of security information and then the details and only has a CANCEL button at the bottom. When I click this, it takes me back to the first screen telling me that something has happened with my PIN. I now can't access my laptop which is very frustrating
Teresia Wiley 5 Reputation points

2026-01-22T18:12:53.1566667+00:00

my laptop computer wont turn on pin code and error phone number
Teresia Wiley 5 Reputation points

2026-01-22T18:17:44.1433333+00:00

give me customer service phone so i can call to discuss
Philip Clowes 0 Reputation points

2026-02-05T12:55:20.73+00:00

Cannot access settings
Bruce Martin 0 Reputation points

2026-07-13T15:53:19.6966667+00:00

i do not want to use any other method than my pin. when i woke up my laptop it tells me “something happened” - well i did not do anything to other than let it go to sleep. i did not change any settings. as i said, i only want to use my pin - not a pass code, don’t text my phone, i want to enter my pin. that is why i set it up. it says to “click to set up your pin again”. when i click on it, setting up my already on record pin is not an option. it offers “choose a passkey”. i cancel out of that, and i get “We couldn’t sign you in”. so i click “”sign in another way”. that brings up a new window: Choose a way to sign in. the top choice is “face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key”. i click on this since PIN is an option, but it’s really not an option because when i click on it, circular logic happens and i’m back to “Choose a passkey” - even though PIN is clearly a choice on the prior window. so evidently my pin is not an option to sign in even though it is offered (and the offer is accepted) as such.

Answer 1

Teresia Wiley 5

laptop computer wont open i cant used anything

0 comments

Answer 2

Teresia Wiley 5

my laptop computer was not work on Pin code and error phone number need change new phone number

0 comments