my pin doesn't work

Question

I can login with my pin just fine. But the minute I do some heavy changes as in installing AMD drivers it asks for a pin then something went wrong. It says to restart, doesn't work. I tried changing my pin, didn't work. Everything went wrong after I updated my bios. I can't even use some settings because they require a pin-code which doesn't work. I'm starting to regret updating my bios.

Answer 1

Hi kristian hiukka,

I understand how disruptive this feels, especially when the PIN works for sign‑in but fails the moment Windows needs it for protected actions like driver installs or security settings. This usually means Windows needs the PIN credentials refreshed after recent system changes.

In addition to Q&A Assist's answer, here's the clarified troubleshooting steps that you can try ins this situation:

1, Re‑create the Windows Hello PIN

• Open Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options
• Expand PIN (Windows Hello)
• Select I forgot my PIN
• Complete account verification and create a new PIN
• Restart the device and test again

2, If settings still reject the PIN - Some protected settings require Windows to fully recognize the refreshed PIN.

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options
• Select PIN (Windows Hello) > Change PIN
• Set a new PIN
• Restart the PC and retry the blocked action
• Being prompted to recreate the PIN after system changes is expected behavior.

Rebuilding the PIN usually restores access to protected settings and installs. If anything still fails after these steps, I’m here to help you narrow it down further and get things back on track.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

BIOS and driver changes can corrupt or invalidate the Windows Hello PIN container, especially when TPM/secure settings change. Use these steps to restore PIN sign-in and PIN usage inside Windows:

1. Try a standard PIN reset from Settings
   1. Sign in using the PIN if it still works at the lock screen, or use your account password/another method if available.
   2. Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
   3. Under PIN (Windows Hello) select I forgot my PIN and follow the instructions to verify the account and create a new PIN. This uses the built‑in PIN reset flow and often fixes post‑change issues.
2. If the PIN keeps failing or you are repeatedly asked to set it up again Windows Hello can prompt to create a new PIN after security or system changes.
   • When prompted, try creating the PIN again.
   • If it fails, sign out and sign back in, then try creating the PIN again.
   • If it still fails, reboot the device and try again.
3. If errors occur during PIN creation (for work/Entra‑joined devices) If this is a work or school device joined to Microsoft Entra ID, some errors after BIOS/TPM changes require re‑joining:
   1. Sign in with a method that still works (password, smart card, etc.).
   2. Go to Settings > System > About > Disconnect from organization to unjoin from Microsoft Entra ID.
   3. Restart the device.
   4. Rejoin the device to Microsoft Entra ID.
   5. Try creating the PIN again from Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello).
4. If the PIN works only for sign‑in but fails inside Windows
   • Remove the existing PIN from Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello).
   • Restart the device.
   • Add a new PIN from the same page. This forces Windows to recreate the local PIN container that may have been broken by the BIOS/TPM change.
5. If completely locked out by PIN errors
   • Use an alternate sign‑in method (password, security key, etc.) on the lock screen.
   • Then perform the PIN reset from Settings as in step 1.

If none of the above works and no alternate sign‑in method is available, a repair or clean reinstall of Windows may be required, as seen in similar cases where all PIN recovery attempts failed after firmware changes.

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References:

• Change or reset your PIN in Windows
• Windows Hello common issues and troubleshooting tips
• Windows Hello errors during PIN creation
• PIN reset
• Unable to log in to Dell Rugged Laptop - Microsoft Q&A
• Stuck in an infinite loop involving the PIN - Microsoft Q&A