I cannot use my pin to log on. I am told the pin is incorrect

Question

When I use my pin to log on, I am told it is incorrect and I have tried too often. Wait at least 2 hours and try again.

Answer 1

Dear Joseph Penn, 

Thank you for your question and for sharing the details into Microsoft Q&A Forum. 

I understand how inconvenient it is when your PIN is repeatedly rejected and the device then asks you to wait (for example, “Wait at least 2 hours and try again”), especially when you need to access the device urgently. Please review the Independent Advisor’s answer first, its advice is excellent and worth a try. 

When you exceed the maximum number of incorrect PIN attempts on Windows 11, the system can enforce an extended lockout period, sometimes up to two hours, even if your Account Lockout Policy is configured for a shorter duration.  This is an intentional security measure specific to Windows Hello to help protect the device against repeated unauthorized attempts (brute‑force). It is a built-in defense mechanism designed to slow down repeated sign-in attempts. 

Next time, please take a moment to carefully verify that the PIN you’re entering is exactly correct to avoid triggering another lockout, and also double-check common input factors that can cause unintended mistakes, such as the NumLock state, the keyboard layout/language currently selected on the sign-in screen, or trying a different keyboard if one is available.

If you encounter this situation, you can wait then try again or sign in using your Microsoft account password until the lockout period expires. 

1. Wait for the lockout to expire, then try the PIN again 

• Stop entering the PIN while the “Wait at least 2 hours…” message is shown. 
• Wait until the lockout period fully expires. 
• Restart the PC after the waiting time has passed. 
• On the sign-in screen, carefully enter the PIN again. 

2. Remove PIN via Safe Mode 

• Restart your laptop and hold Shift while clicking Restart. 
• Navigate to: Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > Select Safe Mode. 
• Sign in using your password (not PIN). 
• Go to: Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello PIN > Remove. 
• Restart normally > change or reset PIN.  

I hope the guidance above helps you sign back in successfully and reset your Windows Hello PIN after the lockout period, while also preventing the same timeout from happening again. Wishing you a smooth and secure sign-in experience on your Windows 11 device so you can get back to your work with minimal interruption. Thank you so much for your understanding.

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Answer 2

Could you please try signing in using your Microsoft account password instead of the PIN?

On the sign-in screen, click Sign-in options, then choose Password and enter your Microsoft account password.

Once you’re logged into the computer, please follow the steps in the link below to reset your PIN: https://support.microsoft.com/windows/change-or-reset-your-pin-in-windows-a386c519-3ab2-b873-1e9b-bb228a98b904