Fixing the "Your PIN Is No Longer Available" Error in Windows 11

[nerdslife_team]

Having trouble with the “Your PIN is no longer available due to a change in the security settings on this device” error on Windows 11? It’s a common headache, often popping up after updates or system tweaks. Don’t worry, there are several ways to get back into your account.

I’ll walk you through the most effective solutions, starting with the easiest ones and moving to the more technical fixes.

Method 1: Reset Your PC While Keeping Personal Files

If nothing else works, this method will likely get you back on track. It reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal stuff intact.

1. From the sign-in screen, click the Power icon, hold the Shift key, and then click Restart. This takes you to the Windows Recovery Environment.

2. In the recovery environment, select Troubleshoot and then Reset this PC.
   

   

3. Choose Keep my files.
   

   

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the reset.

Note: Your personal files will remain, but you’ll need to reinstall your applications.

5. After the reset, set up your account and create a new PIN.

---

Method 2: Delete the NGC Folder in Safe Mode

Your PIN settings are stored in the NGC folder. If it’s corrupt, this can cause issues. Deleting the folder forces Windows to rebuild it, potentially resolving the problem.

1. From the sign-in screen, click the Power icon, hold the Shift key, and click Restart. This will boot you into the Windows Recovery Environment.

2. Select Troubleshoot and then Advanced options.
   

   

3. Choose Startup Settings and then click Restart.
   

   

4. After the restart, press F4 to boot into Safe Mode.

5. Once in Safe Mode, press Windows + E to open File Explorer.

6. Go to this folder:

   C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft
   

Note: If you can’t see the AppData folder, go to View in File Explorer, select Show, and check Hidden items.

7. Find the Ngc folder, right-click, and choose Delete.
   

   

8. Restart your computer normally.

9. Set up a new PIN through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

---

Method 3: Sign In Using Your Microsoft Account Password

If your PIN is acting up, try using your Microsoft account password to log in. This will let you get back into your account and reset your PIN.

1. On the sign-in screen, click on Sign-in options.

2. Select the Password icon (it looks like a key).

3. Type in your Microsoft account password and press Enter.

4. Once logged in, press Windows + I to open Settings.

5. Go to Accounts on the left, then click Sign-in options on the right.
   

   

6. Under PIN (Windows Hello), click Remove to delete the existing PIN.
   

   

7. Confirm the action, then click Add to set up a new PIN.
   

   

8. Follow the steps to create your new PIN.

---

Method 4: Reset the PIN via “I Forgot My PIN” Option

If you can’t sign in with your password, or you’d prefer to reset your PIN directly, you can use the “I forgot my PIN” option.

1. On the sign-in screen, select Sign-in options, then click the PIN icon.

2. Click the I forgot my PIN link below the PIN entry box.

3. Enter your Microsoft account password when prompted, then click OK.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up a new PIN.

---

Method 5: Clear the Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

The TPM stores encryption keys. Clearing it might fix issues caused by corrupted TPM data.

Caution: Clearing the TPM can lead to data loss for encrypted files. Make sure to back up your important stuff before you do this!

1. Press Windows + S to open the search, type Security processor troubleshooting, and select it.
   

   

2. In the Security Processor window, click on Clear TPM.
   

   

3. Confirm the action when asked, and allow your system to restart.

4. After rebooting, try signing in or resetting your PIN like in Method 3.

---

Method 6: Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

Sometimes, a recent update can mess with your PIN. Removing the latest updates might fix the error.

1. Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment as described earlier (hold Shift while clicking Restart).

2. Click Troubleshoot and then Advanced options.
   

   

3. Choose Uninstall Updates.
   

   

4. Select either Uninstall latest quality update or Uninstall latest feature update, starting with the quality update.
   

   

5. Follow the steps to finish uninstalling the updates.

6. Restart your computer and see if the problem’s gone.

---

Method 7: Modify the Registry in Recovery Mode

Changing a specific registry value might fix PIN sign-in problems.

Caution: Messing with the registry can cause system issues if you’re not careful. Consider backing up the registry first.

1. Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment like before.

2. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.
   

   

3. Click on Command Prompt.
   

   

4. In Command Prompt, type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
   

   

5. In Registry Editor, select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
   

   

6. Click the File menu and then Load Hive.
   

   

7. Go to C:\Windows\System32\config, select the Software file, and click Open.
   

   

8. When asked for a key name, enter OfflineSoftware and click OK.

9. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\OfflineSoftware\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device
   

10. In the right pane, double-click on DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion.

11. Change the Value data to 0 and click OK.

12. Close the Registry Editor and Command Prompt.

13. Click Continue to exit the Recovery Environment and restart your computer.

14. Try signing in or resetting your PIN as described in Method 3.

---

Hopefully, one of these methods helps you resolve the PIN error. Keeping your system updated and having regular backups is always a good idea to prevent these types of issues in the future.