Cannot re-set my pin

Anna Morgan 0 Reputation points
2026-05-18T18:13:20.53+00:00

Hello,

I am having problems with getting my printer to work. DavidM121 tried to help and sent me this last message:

Sorry, I was offline. If you click the start button, then just type cmd, on the resulting list, right click Command Prompt, do you not see the option to 'Run as Administrator? If not, is your user account on the PC not a full administrator account.

I tried to read his message to respond but am unable to load 'See message' page. I am hoping to get back to him with an answer about the Administrator account. It is my account, but I am unable to sign in as an administrator because I cannot reset a pin that I forgot. So, I sign in as other user still using my administrator email address and password. This is bizarre I know, but that is how it is. I have tried contacting Microsoft but I am unable to do this. There are no telephone numbers, even chats do not work. Help please.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-18T18:13:50.7833333+00:00

    To regain administrator access and fix the PIN issue, use the password-based sign-in and then reset the PIN from there. The PIN itself is not what makes the account an administrator; the account type (admin vs standard) is separate from the PIN.

    Follow these steps depending on what can be accessed now:

    1. Sign in with the account password instead of PIN
      • On the Windows sign-in screen, select Sign-in options.
      • Choose the password icon.
      • Enter the Microsoft account or local account password to sign in.
    2. Reset the PIN when already signed in
      • Open Settings.
      • Go to Accounts > Sign-in options (or use this shortcut: Sign-in options).
      • Under PIN (Windows Hello) select I forgot my PIN.
      • Follow the prompts to verify the account and create a new PIN.
    3. If the PIN cannot be reset from Settings
      • If the I forgot my PIN option is not available on the sign-in screen, sign in with the password as above, then use the Settings method to reset the PIN.
      • If both PIN and password are forgotten for a Microsoft account, reset the Microsoft account password first using one of these options from the sign-in screen:
        • Select I forgot my password, or
        • Select Sign-in options > Web sign-in, complete web sign-in, then choose Forgot my password.
    4. Confirm the account is an administrator
      • After signing in, open Settings > Accounts > Your info to confirm the account type.
      • If this account is shown as an administrator, it can run Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator) and continue with printer troubleshooting.

    If the printer still does not work after restoring admin access, use the printer troubleshooting steps:

    1. Clear the printer queue
      • Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
      • Select the printer and choose Open queue.
      • Select any documents listed, then Document > Cancel.
    2. Restart the Print Spooler service
      • Open Services from Search.
      • Find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.
    3. Remove and reinstall the printer
      • In Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Remove device, then Yes.
      • Ensure the printer is on and connected.
      • In Printers & scanners, select Add a printer or scanner and follow the prompts.

    These steps restore PIN access for the administrator account and provide the required administrator rights to run Command Prompt as administrator and complete printer troubleshooting.

    References:

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