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Pin and facial recognition for sign in are not working

mekonnen lemma dechassa 0 Reputation points
2026-06-13T03:08:31.97+00:00

I couldn’t sign in into my computer with pin and facial recognition. There is no option for “ forget pin” and set up new pin or option to sign in with password. So I am locked out of my computer. What are my options if all suggested instructions online for sign in are not working?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows Hello, lock screen and sign-in
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  1. Gunasekar N 69,550 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-13T03:46:58.04+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

    1. What exact error message do you receive on the Windows Sign-in Screen?
    • Have you tried booting your PC in safe mode?
    1. Turn on your device, and when you see the manufacturer's logo or Windows logo, turn off your computer.
    2. Repeat the same step again (Do this 2 times).
    3. The third time, allow your device to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.

    In the WinRE screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.

    Press F4 or press the number 4 key to boot your PC in safe mode.

    If you're able to log in successfully there, try resetting your PIN.

    If you are having trouble booting your device into safe mode, share the error message that is shown on the Windows Sign in screen.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-13T03:08:54.1333333+00:00

    Use the available fallback sign-in methods and then repair Windows Hello once access is restored.

    1. On the lock screen, switch sign-in method
      • On the sign-in screen, select Sign-in options (usually an icon under the password box).
      • If available, choose Password and enter the password for the account.
      • If facial recognition fails, Windows Hello should prompt to sign in with your PIN or password; use that to get in.
    2. If Windows Hello doesn’t recognize face/fingerprint
      • Sign in with PIN or password if possible.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
      • Under Windows Hello Face or Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello), choose Remove, then set them up again.
      • For facial recognition issues, clean the camera, adjust lighting, and, if needed, use Improve recognition under Windows Hello Face.
    3. If PIN is not working but password is
      • Sign in with the password.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello).
      • Select I forgot my PIN and follow the prompts to reset it.
    4. If biometric sign-in is broken system-wide
      • After signing in with password/PIN, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
      • Remove the nonfunctioning Windows Hello Face/Fingerprint enrollment and re-enroll.
      • If the device’s biometric sensor driver is at fault, open Device Manager, find the device under Biometric devices, uninstall it, then restart so Windows reinstalls the driver.
      • If issues persist, remove the PIN, then restart the Windows Biometric Service using an elevated Command Prompt:
        • net stop wbiosrvc && net start wbiosrvc
        • Recreate the PIN and then re-enroll biometrics.
    5. If no sign-in method works at all
      • If password, PIN, and biometrics all fail and there is no way to switch sign-in options, the remaining practical option (as shown in similar cases) may be to back up data if possible and perform a reset or clean reinstall of Windows from recovery media.

    Once access is restored, configure at least two sign-in methods (for example, password plus PIN) so there is always a fallback if Windows Hello fails.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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