OneDrive access denied - "PIN isn't available"

Question

OneDrive access denied - "PIN isn't available"

Kirk-RS 20

I am able to sign in to my Windows 11 PC using PIN and Fingerprint.

However, my OneDrive account will NOT sign in automatically, and I can't sign in using PIN.

Error message:

"Something went wrong and your PIN isn't available.

You can reset your PIN by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options"

Error code: 0x80090016

I performed the reset as directed and rebooted. Able to log in to PC as before.

NO CHANGE WITH ONEDRIVE. Same error message posted.

MS Learn post from 2025-11-11 by external moderator Ian-Ng talks about a "30-day hold" when recovery email is updated, but everything worked yesterday and I did not knowingly update my recovery email since yesterday. That should not be the cause.

The post goes on to provide steps to regain access to the PC, but I still have this access. I do not see how they would affect OneDrive access.

Is this some hack or bug that MS is experiencing with its OneDrive servers?

If not, what steps can I take locally?

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Answer 1

Norah-L 10,660 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Dear Kirk-RS,

Since the PIN and fingerprint still work for Windows, but OneDrive shows error 0x80090016, this appears more likely to involve the Windows account credentials stored on the PC than a OneDrive server issue.

First, try temporarily switching Windows sign-in from a Microsoft account to a local account. This may help refresh the Windows account credentials that OneDrive uses.

Open Settings > Accounts > Your info, then select Sign in with a local account instead.
Sign in to the new local account, open OneDrive, and set it up using the Microsoft account email address and password.
Return to Settings > Accounts > Your info, then select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
Also, open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. If an old or unused account is listed, select it, choose Disconnect, restart the PC, and try OneDrive again.

Note: Before proceeding, make sure you remember your Microsoft account password. If this is a work- or school-managed PC, check with your IT administrator before changing or disconnecting any accounts.

If the issue continues, try the additional steps below:

Install all available Windows updates and the latest OneDrive version, then restart the PC.
Quit OneDrive. Press Windows key + R, enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings, and delete PreSignInSettingsConfig.json. Restart OneDrive and sign in again.
If needed, press Windows key + R and run %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset, then reopen OneDrive from Start. This clears OneDrive’s local settings and rebuilds its sync connections, which may resolve cached sign-in issues. It is useful if the PIN error is being triggered by OneDrive’s cached connection.

Please let me know how it goes after trying these steps, and I'll be glad to continue looking into it with you.

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Kirk-RS 20 Reputation points

2026-07-27T02:53:43.63+00:00

I didn't need to do anything to OneDrive after launching it in the local account. It synced properly.

I switched back to my MS account but could not use fingerprint or PIN, only password.

Rebooted into MS account, fingerprint worked. OneDrive autolaunched, signed in & synced.

The rest of the advice proved unnecessary, but thank you Norah-L for offering it!

This appears to be part of a larger crisis with my PC. For the past few weeks it regularly freezes in place, only sometimes with a Black screen BSOD, often without any reported error message. However, this ONLY happens when running on internal battery. It has clearly corrupted some of the system files, to the point where DISM will not complete, either relying on Windows Update online or a local install.wim file for the matching Windows 11 Pro 25H2 OS currently installed on the PC.

Even an in-place upgrade using a mounted ISO of 25H2 downloaded from MS with online updating turned OFF froze at 87%. The PC still rebooted.

I have an extended warranty with Lenovo. Are they supposed to figure out whether this is a software or hardware issue?

Is there anyone at MS who has anything to offer about this?
Norah-L 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-27T06:18:59.8833333+00:00
Kirk-RS,

Glad to hear the OneDrive and Windows Hello issue is now resolved.

The repeated freezing only while running on battery, together with DISM and the in-place repair failing, could involve the battery, power-management hardware, firmware, drivers, or Windows corruption. Since the PC is covered by an extended warranty, I recommend contacting Lenovo Support first so they can run hardware diagnostics and determine whether warranty service is required.

If Lenovo confirms that the hardware, battery, and firmware are working correctly, you can contact Microsoft Support so they can investigate using the available diagnostic information and advise on the appropriate recovery options.

Here's how to reach out to the Support Team (live chat):

Go to: https://support.microsoft.com/home/contact

In the search box, enter a short description of your issue, for example:

Hit "Get Help"

Scroll down and select Sign in to contact support for further assistance (please sign in using a personal Microsoft account). Follow the prompts and choose Technical support as the category to reach the Support team.

Tip: Support chat availability may vary by country/region, product, and support hours. If you can't get in touch with a chat agent right away, trying again later or at a different time may help.

Hopefully your concerns will soon be addressed. Thank you so much for your patience!

Best regards.