Pin login disabled for 2 hours, same problem after 3 hours, no option to forget pin

Question

Pin login disabled for 2 hours, same problem after 3 hours, no option to forget pin

Alan Bulmer 0

Unable to logon, pin login disabled, no option for forgot pin.

Retried after 3 hours or even next day same problem.

No option to change login method

Alan Bulmer 0 Reputation points

2026-09-16T19:45:26.9933333+00:00

I tried safe mode with internet, but still came up with enter challenge phrase, then disabled for 2hours

1 answer

Your answer

Alan Bulmer 0 Reputation points

2026-09-16T19:45:26.9933333+00:00

I tried safe mode with internet, but still came up with enter challenge phrase, then disabled for 2hours

Answer 1

Jeronimo Fuerte 46,010 Independent Advisor

Thanks for the additional information. Safe Mode should require the password for the Microsoft account or local Windows account instead. If Safe Mode still asks for the A1B2C3 challenge phrase and PIN and does not provide a password option, please confirm whether you actually see Safe Mode displayed on the screen after startup. A screenshot of that sign-in screen would also be useful; please cover your email address or other personal information.

Since you mentioned that Sign-in options is also completely missing, if the password option cannot be obtained even in Safe Mode, return to:

Shift + Restart > Troubleshoot > Advanced options

and check whether System Restore is available. If there is a restore point from before this problem started, System Restore can roll back Windows system settings without deleting your personal files.

If the problem started immediately after a Windows update, you can also check Advanced options > Uninstall Updates and try removing the latest quality update.

Alan Bulmer 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T09:18:52.1033333+00:00

Hi, thanks for your response.

The log on page when loading in safe mode ask for challenge. This is with or without internet. I don't think safe mode is loading.

For some reason system restore says no restore points available, I'm sure it is set to keep them.

I have tried uninstall windows updates, but as soon as I reload it updates again.

The challenge on logon does not go away even after leaving laptop on all night.
Alan Bulmer 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T09:24:38.3766667+00:00
Jeronimo Fuerte 46,010 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-17T22:43:42.2166667+00:00

If you are still seeing the A1B2C3 challenge phrase after attempting Safe Mode, then it does sound like Windows is not actually entering Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, the PIN and biometric Windows Hello options are unavailable, and Windows should require the password for the Microsoft account or local account instead.

If you cannot reach Windows Recovery Environment using Shift + Restart, there is another method: interrupt Windows startup twice by holding the power button while Windows is beginning to load. On the third startup Windows should normally enter Automatic Repair/Windows Recovery Environment, where you can select Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

When the Startup Settings screen appears, press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking. After Windows starts, check whether “Safe Mode” appears on the screen and whether you are offered the password instead of the PIN.
Alan Bulmer 0 Reputation points

2026-09-18T10:04:29.12+00:00

Hi thanks. I tried this and restarted with option 5, but same login screen with challenge. No sign of safe mode.
Jeronimo Fuerte 46,010 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T17:31:53.2466667+00:00

Do you sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account (for example an Outlook/Hotmail address) or with a local account, and do you know the password for that account?

If it is a Microsoft account, please verify from another device that you can successfully sign in to your Microsoft account using the password.