Something happened and your PIN isn’t available [SOLVED]
- Windows 10 has brought many improvements including improved security via PIN access and face recognition using a Windows Hello supported device.
- The PIN is stored locally and is tied to a TPM chip (Trusted Platform Module). Any changes to the chip will result in the PIN not recognized. Fix this by resetting the PIN.
- An exciting new feature that deserves our attention. Check out the Windows Hello section for more articles with guides and recommendations.
- If you want to solve any Windows issues, check out the Windows 10 Errors Troubleshooting Hub for step-by-step, friendly instruction on how to do just that.
Solution 7 – Create a new Administrator account
If PIN sign-in isn’t available for your account, you might be able to fix the problem by creating a new administrator account. To do that, you just have to follow these simple steps:
- Open the Settings app and go to Accounts section.
- Select Family & other people from the menu on the left. In the right pane, click on Add someone else to this PC.
- Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
- Now click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Enter the desired account name and click Next.
After creating a new administrator account, switch to it and set a PIN for it. We showed you how to set up a PIN code in one of our previous solutions, so be sure to check it out for detailed instructions.
Once you set the PIN code for the new account, try accessing your old account to see if the PIN code works. According to users, after setting a new administrator account the issue was completely resolved, so feel free to try this solution.
Windows won’t let you add a new user account? Use this guide and add how many accounts you want.
Solution 8 – Modify your registry
According to users, if PIN sign-in isn’t available, you might be able to fix that by modifying your registry. To do that, just do the following:
- Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Press Enter or click OK.
- In the left panel, navigate to
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\TestHooks
- Now locate Threshold DWORD and double click it. If it’s not available, you can create it by right-clicking the right panel and choosing New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Now enter Threshold as the name of the new DWORD.
- Change the Value data of the Threshold DWORD to 0 and click on OK to save changes.
After making these changes, you just need to delete all files from the following directory:
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGCThis might be a slightly advanced solution, but several users reported that it worked for them, so feel free to try it out.
If you can’t edit your Windows 10’s registry, read this handy guide and find the quickest solutions to the issue.
Solution 9 – Remove Dell Data Protection security tools
If you’re using a Dell PC, you might experience problems with PIN sign in due to applications such as Dell Data Protection security tools.
According to users, there are three different Dell Data Protection security tools, and in order to fix this problem, you need to remove them in the correct order.
Once you remove those tools, you just have to remove your PIN and add it again, and the problem should be resolved. Keep in mind that these applications can leave certain files behind even after you remove them.
In order to remove all files and registry entries associated with it, it’s recommended to use a proper uninstaller.
There are many great uninstaller applications that can completely remove any application from your PC, and if you want to remove all files related with Dell Data Protection security tools, we recommend that you use IOBit Uninstaller (free) or Revo Uninstaller.
Both these applications are simple to use, and they can remove any application from your PC with ease.
Take a look at this article to find out how you can remove software leftovers and clean your PC of any unwanted files.
Looking for the best uninstallers for Windows 10? Check out this list with our best picks.
Solution 10 – Check if CNG Key Isolation Service (KeyIso) is running
According to users, sometimes PIN sign in can become unavailable if CNG Key Isolation Service (KeyIso) service is disabled. Windows relies on this service for PIN sign in, and if this service isn’t running, you’ll experience problems with PIN login.
To fix the issue, you need to enable this service by doing the following:
- Press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc. Now press Enter or click OK.
- When Services window opens, locate CNG Key Isolation service and double click it.
- When the Properties window opens, make sure that the Startup type isn’t set to Disabled. If it is, change it to Manual. Check if the service is running. If not, click the Start button to start it. Now click Apply and OK to save changes.
That’s it, PIN login should be working now for your account.
If you have any other questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2015 and has been since completely revamped and updated in April 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
