Are you having trouble logging in with your Windows Hello PIN? You’re not alone! Many people have been experiencing this issue lately. But don’t worry, we’ve got a fix for you. In this blog post, we will discuss the different ways that you can troubleshoot and fix the Windows Hello PIN not working issue.
We’ll also provide some tips to help make sure it doesn’t happen again. Let’s get started!
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What is Windows Hello?
Windows Hello is a biometric authentication feature that allows you to log in to your device using your fingerprint, iris, or facial recognition. It’s a great way to add an extra layer of security to your device.
Why is my Windows Hello PIN not working?
There are a few reasons why your Windows Hello PIN might not be working. It could be because you’ve changed your PIN too many times, or it could be an issue with the way that your device is configured.
How to fix Windows Hello PIN not working?
Remove Current PIN
If you’re having trouble logging in with your Windows Hello PIN, the first thing you should try is removing your current PIN and then creating a new one.
To do this, follow these steps:
Launch Windows 11 Settings.
Select Accounts from the left pane, and click on the Sign-in options on the right.
Expand the PIN (Windows Hello) option.
Finally, click the Remove button next to Remove this sign-in option to remove the current PIN.
You will be asked to enter your Microsoft Account password to successfully remove the PIN.
Delete NGC Folder
If removing your current PIN doesn’t work, you can try deleting the NGC folder.
The NGC folder is where Windows stores all the biometric data for Windows Hello. By deleting this folder, you will be forcing Windows to create a new one when you try to log in with your PIN.
To delete the NGC folder you will require administrator rights. So log in with your administrator account and follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer and go to the following location: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft
- Right-click on the Ngc folder and select Delete.
You will be asked to confirm the deletion. Click Yes to continue.
Update Windows
If you’re still having trouble logging in with your Windows Hello PIN, it might be an issue with Windows itself. To fix this, you will need to update Windows to the latest version.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Windows 11 Settings.
- On the left pane, switch to the Windows Update tab and click on Check for updates on the right.
- After the latest updates are finished downloading, click on Install now.
- Restart your device.
If there are any updates available, Windows will download and install them automatically. Once the process is complete, restart your device and try logging in with your PIN again.
Run SFC Scan
If you’re still having issues logging in with your Windows Hello PIN, you can try running an SFC scan. This will scan your system for any corrupt or missing files and repair them.
To run an SFC scan, follow these steps:
- From the Windows search bar, search and launch the Command Prompt with administrator rights.
- Type this command and hit the Enter key: sfc/scannow.
- The scanning would start, and it would take some time to complete depending on your system configuration.
- After the scan, if it found any problem, the solution would be automatically applied.
- Close the Command Prompt window and restart your system.
Turn Off the Security Program
If you have any security programs installed on your device, it could be interfering with the Windows Hello PIN login process. To fix this, you will need to turn off the security program temporarily and then try logging in again.
Once you’re logged in, you can turn the security program back on.
Final Words
If you’re having trouble logging in with your Windows Hello PIN, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue. In most cases, removing your current PIN and creating a new one will do the trick. If that doesn’t work, you can try deleting the NGC folder or running an SFC scan. You should also make sure that you’re running the latest version of Windows. If all else fails, you can try turning off your security program temporarily.
We hope this article helped you fix the problem. If you have any further questions or suggestions, please let us know in the comments below.
Yes, you can. If your fingerprint reader isn’t working, you can use your PIN as an alternate method to log in.
If your Windows Hello camera isn’t working, you can try troubleshooting it using the Windows Hello Camera Troubleshooter.
To change your Windows Hello PIN, launch the Settings app and go to Accounts > Sign-in options. Expand the PIN (Windows Hello) option and click the Change button. Enter your current PIN followed by your new PIN and click OK to save the changes.
Your Windows Hello PIN can have a minimum of four digits and a maximum of 16. You can also use letters, symbols, and spaces in your PIN if you want. However, keep in mind that using complex characters will make it harder to remember your PIN.
Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.
