Unable to set up PIN in Windows Hello, keeps timing out Win 11 utd

VWFeature 21 Reputation points
2026-05-05T19:28:57.46+00:00

Using either authenticator or password, times out in about 10 sec.

One more Win 11 bug.
Moderator note: moved from Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
Answer accepted by question author
Emma1-N 12,285 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-05-06T04:48:00.0533333+00:00

Welcome VWFeature,

I understand how frustrating it can be when the Windows Hello PIN setup keeps timing out after a few seconds on Windows 11. 

To better understand your situation: 

  • Does this happen on only one user account or all accounts on the device? 
  • Have there been any recent updates, driver changes, or security software installed before this started? 

In addition to Q&A Assist's suggested steps, please try these extra checks to move forward:    

Option 1: Reset the NGC (PIN data) folder

  • Sign in using your password
  • Press Windows + E to open File Explorer
  • Navigate to: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC
  • If access is denied:
    • Right-click the NGC folder > Properties > Security > Advanced
    • Change Owner to your account > Apply
    • Give Full control > OK
    • Open the NGC folder and delete all files inside
    • Restart the PC

Option 2: Check Windows Hello-related services  

  • Press Windows + R and type services.msc 
  • Restart these services:  
    • Microsoft Passport 
    • Windows Biometric Service 

Option 3: Verify system files  

  • Open Command Prompt as administrator 
  • Run:  sfc /scannow 
  • Then run:  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 

Option 4: Test with a new local account  

  • Create a new local user account 
  • Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users 
  • Add a new local account 
  • Sign in with that account and try to set up a PIN 

I hope this information helps resolve your issue. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me again in this thread.

P.S: If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".      

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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  1. VWFeature 21 Reputation points
    2026-05-10T06:45:46.7266667+00:00

    I used the Option 1: Reset the NGC (PIN data) folder method

    C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC

    • If access is denied:
      • Right-click the NGC folder > Properties > Security > Advanced
      • Change Owner to your account > Apply
      • Give Full control > OK
      • Open the NGC folder and delete all files inside
      • Restart the PC

    Technique and elected Windows Hello from the login screen, thus combining two methods.

    This worked!

    Thank you!

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  2. AI answer

    2026-05-05T19:29:05.9466667+00:00

    Follow these steps to work around the Windows Hello PIN setup timing out after ~10 seconds:

    1. Try changing/resetting the PIN from the sign-in screen
      • At the Windows sign-in screen, select the account.
      • If it shows the PIN prompt, choose Sign-in options and switch to password or another method that works.
      • After signing in, lock the PC (Win+L) and at the lock screen select I forgot my PIN or Set up my PIN and complete the flow there. In similar cases, changing the PIN from the sign-in screen instead of from Settings has allowed the verification window to stay open long enough to complete.
    2. Use password to sign in and then reset the PIN from Settings
      • Sign in using the account password instead of the PIN.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
      • Under PIN (Windows Hello) select I forgot my PIN and follow the prompts.
      • If the verification window still closes too quickly, repeat step 1 and perform the reset directly from the sign-in screen.
    3. If Windows Hello was working before and recently broke
      • A recently installed app, driver, or update might be causing the problem.
      • Consider a repair option such as Reset this PC or device-specific reset/restore if using a Surface. For Surface devices, see Restore or reset Surface for Windows in the linked article below.
    4. If completely locked out (no method works)
      • If neither PIN nor password is accepted and no other sign-in option works, recovery may require more advanced steps or, in worst cases, a reset/clean install, as seen in similar PIN lockout scenarios.

    For general sign-in issues, also use the I forgot my PIN link directly on the sign-in screen to trigger the official PIN reset flow.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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