6 Ways to Fix Unable to Change Sign-in PIN on Windows

Quick Tips

• Windows may prevent you from changing your sign-in PIN if you’ve linked your work or school account to your PC.
• You can also use the forgot PIN option to reset your Windows Hello PIN.
• If Windows cannot access the NGC folder, you may encounter such issues. To fix this, delete the folder and set up the PIN again.

Fix 1: Disconnect Work or School Account

One of the most common reasons Windows may prevent you from changing your sign-in PIN is if you’ve linked your work or school account to your PC.

Step 1: Open the Settings app from the start menu. Navigate to the Accounts tab and click on Access work or school on your right.

Step 2: Click on your email id > Disconnect.

Check if you can change your Windows Hello PIN.

Fix 2: Use the Forgot PIN Option

If disconnecting your work or school account doesn’t help, use the forgot PIN option to reset your Windows Hello PIN.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app. In the Accounts tab, click on the Sign-in options.

Step 2: Click on the arrow next to PIN (Windows Hello) and click on I forgot my PIN.

Step 3: Click on Continue. Enter your Microsoft account password to verify your identity.

Step 4: Set up your new PIN by entering it twice and then clicking on OK.

Also Read: How to fix Windows Hello something went wrong error.

Fix 3: Delete the NGC Folder

Windows saves all your sign-in information, including your PIN, in the NGC folder. If Windows cannot access that folder, you may face issues; hence, delete the NGC folder and set up your Windows Hello PIN again to fix it.

To delete the NGC folder, you must take its ownership by following the steps below.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.

Step 2: In the console, run the following command to take ownership of the NGC folder.

takeown /f C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC /r /d y

Step 3: Next, run the following command to grant administrative permission.

icacls C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC /grant administrators:F /t

After running the above commands, use the following steps to delete the NGC folder.

Step 4: Open File Explorer from the Start menu. Use the following path to navigate to the Microsoft folder.

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

Step 5: Select the NGC folder and click on the trash icon at the top to delete it.

After completing the above steps, your old Windows Hello PIN will be removed so you can set it up again.

Fix 4: Switch to a Local Account

If Windows still does not let you change your PIN, temporarily switch to a local account and try again.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + S to access the search menu. Type your account info and press Enter.

Step 2: Under Account settings, click on Sign in with a local account instead.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your local account.

Step 4: After the setup, click on Sign out and finish.

Step 5: Sign in to your local account and change your Windows Hello PIN.

Step 6: Next, head to the Accounts tab and click on Sign-in options.

Step 7: Click on Sign in with a Microsoft account instead and follow the prompts to switch to your Microsoft account.

Fix 5: Tweak Registry Files

Modifying registry files on your PC lets you make various system-level changes. So, if the problem persists and you can’t change the sign-in PIN, edit the registry to fix issues.

Before proceeding with the changes, you must back up all the registry files on your PC.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to launch the Run utility. Type regedit in the Open field and press Enter.

Step 2: In the Registry Editor window, paste the following path in the address bar at the top and press Enter.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

Step 3: Right-click on the System key, go to New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it AllowDomainPINLogon.

Step 4: Double-click the newly created DWORD and change its value data to 1. Then, click on OK.

Restart your PC after this and see if you can change your PIN.

Fix 6: Perform System Restore

System Restore is a handy feature on Windows that periodically backs up the entire system. If none of the above solutions work, you can use this tool to undo any recent changes made to your PC that may have caused this issue.

Step 1: Open the search menu, type create a restore point, and press Enter.

Step 2: Under the System Protection tab, click on System Restore.

Step 3: Click on Next.

Step 4: Select your preferred restore point and hit Next.

Step 5: Lastly, click on Finish.

Windows will restart and revert to the specified restore point. After that, you should be able to change your PIN without a problem.