Windows 11 PIN- locked out

Two weeks ago I bought a new Acer laptop, loaded with Windows 11.

I’ve been used Windows since the days of 3.1.Since Win 7, I’ve used the same MS Account and the same password. No problems.

Since setting up my Win 11 device with password and a pin I’ve had a few problems logging in. This morning I cannot access my laptop at all. I get a message saying that I must wait 2 hours. There’s no option to login via password. Two hours have been and gone.
I have accessed my MS Account to try to swap pin to password. Texts are not reaching my phone. I am 100% stuck without access to my work. What on earth do I do?

I can’t even reset the laptop because I can’t login.

Help!

Do you not get either “I’ve forgotten my pin” or “Sign-in options” under the PIN text box? These should let you reset your PIN or sign on with your password.

One other point - your computer must be powered on during the two-hour period, so plug it into the mains. A number of other things to try here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/troubles...

Edited by TinyMongomery (Mon 18-Dec-23 13:42:41)

Did you sort it?

The PIN can become wiped if the laptop does a firmware/BIOS update or windows doesn't believe the hardware has integrity anymore.

There should be an underlying password you can use to log in. The PIN is only specific to the device, it is not specific to your MS account, so you should be able to do a recovery via password or MS authenticator app if you went passwordless.

Please excuse me for my tardy reply.

Yes. The issue of the 18th resolved itself in time with my being allowed entry to my own hardware.

The issues with Win II are troubling. On Friday there was an unexpected update despite my pausing them for a week. On Saturday morning I set about writing an important document. My mouse scrolled wildly. I rebooted and found I was unable to open any app with my mouse. After some hours I reset the computer. Same problem.

I eventually found a driver for my Microsoft mouse and external keyboard online and the problems resolved….or so I thought. I rebooted the system. The screen would not accept PIN, Password, or Challenge Code. I suspect another unexpected update had corrupted the drivers again. I think this is probably what occurred on 18th.

What to do?

I hope I have found a means of editing the register to stop updated for up to 5 weeks.

There are also means of turning off security so that the PIN and password are unnecessary.

However, neither are good options in the long-term.

The laptop works like a dream other than these related issues but I’ve wasted two days of work this week and never has Windows given me such stress in nearly 30 years.

Any tips welcome.

Doesn't sound normal at all. Is this an old machine?

You should probably consider a fresh install - download the latest 23H2 onto USB media and then perform a clean install.

Also, ensure BIOS/UEFI is fully updated from vendor website.

I had a problem with an old machine and Win 10 where it would black screen every now and then. Fresh install solved it.

No. This is a new Acer laptop. I bought it from John Lewis this month. It came with Windows 11 on board.

I plan to remove all sign in security. Then download and unstall and updates. And then put login security back before ceasing updates for the maximum.

Edited by ARD (Mon 25-Dec-23 14:50:15)

Is it worth setting up a local account so you can still access the machine if the microsoft account got locked out agin? I know setting up a local account can be a pain in the ass on windows 11, but have found it will let you do it after disconnecting the machine from the internet.

I've tried that as a backup. You're right it is a pain.

I set up a spare user account minus pin or password. I logged straight in but couldn'd swap user to get to my main account.

I might give it another go. At the moment all's quiet with the laptop. It's out-of-the-box Win 11 running 232H.

Happy Christmas

Edited by ARD (Mon 25-Dec-23 22:28:59)