Can't login using PIN or reset password

Caya WIlliams 0 Reputation points
2026-08-25T22:09:37.4866667+00:00

I got this laptop as a gift and it has been working for a long time now, but I got the error that my PIN doesn't work. I don't know any other password on it other than every single password I have and tried in the past few weeks. I tried my fingerprint, but it says my password is required and so on. I only have one Microsoft account, and it seems this laptop is not connected to an account and only has my name on it. I am connected to internet. For some reason I can't even get into safe mode by holding shift and pressing restart and I dont have a password reset drive because I didn't know that was required to have a decent functioning laptop. It's frustrating because it's the only laptop I have that can run what I need to animate and I can't reset anything without some random wall. How can I log in?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows Hello, lock screen and sign-in
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Emma1-N 11,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-26T02:41:29.9666667+00:00

    Welcome Caya WIlliams,

    I understand how frustrating this is, especially when this is the only laptop you can use. Since you cannot sign in with your PIN, let's first try resetting the PIN from the sign-in screen. 

    • On the sign-in screen, make sure the laptop is connected to Wi‑Fi by selecting the network icon in the lower-right corner. 
    • Select "I forgot my PIN" below the PIN entry box. 
    • Enter the password for your Microsoft account when prompted. If you do not remember it, use another device to reset it at https://account.live.com/password/reset. 
    • After verification, follow the prompts to create a new PIN and then try signing in. 

    If "I forgot my PIN" is not available, select "Sign-in options" and check whether a password sign-in option (key icon) appears. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes". 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.  

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.