Something Happened and Your PIN Isn't Available (Solved)

Oliver updated on Oct 31, 2024 to Partition Master | How-to Articles

Does your PIN fail to work suddenly? Have you received an error message that says, 'Something happened and your PIN isn't available?' If so, check here. This article includes multiple methods to help you reset your PIN and access the Windows system successfully.

I have a new PC with W10. I decided to use the PIN code, but now I get the message "Something happened and your PIN isn't available. Click to set up your PIN again." When I click 'Set up my PIN' nothing, the same message reappears. - Windows

I assume you came to this page because you encountered the same issue with the PIN not working as in the above-mentioned case. Many factors can lead to Windows not accepting your PIN, but there are also multiple methods to reset or unlock the PIN.

Thus, do not worry if you receive the message "Something happened and your PIN isn't available" or a status code "0xc000006d." This article from EaseUS provides appropriate solutions for removing the Windows Hello PIN.

4 Solutions: Something Happened and Your PIN Isn't Available

In this section, we will walk you through three practical methods to remove/reset/bypass the PIN so that you can enter the Windows desktop as usual.

Way 1. Clear Windows PIN via PIN Removal Tool

To fix PIN being invalid, you should first remove it from your Windows system. Thus, you'll need professional PIN removal tool - EaseUS Partition Master Professional. This practical software allows you to clear your Windows PIN in a few seconds.

Follow the instructions below to clear the PIN with ease:

Step 1. Insert the target USB disk into a computer, run EaseUS Partition Master, and click "Toolkit" > "Password Reset."

Step 2. A message will pop up. After reading it carefully, click "Create" to create bootable media.

Step 3. Select the correct USB flash drive and click "Create" and "Yes." This will erase all data on the USB, so please back up if any important data on it.

Step 4. Wait patiently. After the password reset USB flash drive is created, connect the USB to the locked PC. Restart the locked PC and press F2/F8/F11/Del to enter the BIOS, set the bootable USB as the boot drive. Once completed, the system will automatically boot from the USB.

Step 5. After restarting, launch EaseUS Partition Master again and go to "Password Reset." All accounts on the PC will be displayed in the interface; click on the target account and check "Reset & Unlock."

Step 6. When you receive this prompt, click "Confirm" to continue. Your password will be erased.

Besides PIN removal, this tool also offers some other features you might be interested in:

Way 2. Reset PIN with Microsoft Account

If your Microsoft account is available on your PC, you can reset the PIN via Microsoft verification.

Notice:
This operation requires your computer to be connected to the internet.

Now, let's see how:

Step 1. In the login screen, click on "Setup my PIN."

Step 2. In the pop-up window, verify your identity with your Microsoft account password or Verification code.

Step 3. Hit "Continue" to confirm. Then, set a new PIN and click "OK."

Solved: Your PIN is No Longer Available in Windows 11

Windows users will discover workable methods to solve the "Your PIN is no longer available in Windows 11" error.

Way 3. Use Your Password

When the login PIN fails to work, you can try logging in with the password if you have set it before.

Notice:
This way won't work if the option of "Only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft account on this device" is enabled.

Step 1. Click on Sign-in options on the lock screen and click the key icon to choose the password login option.

Step 2. Input your password to enter the Windows desktop.

Step 3. Then, you can go to "Settings" > "Accounts" > "Sign-in options" > "Windows Hello (PIN) / PIN (Windows Hello)" to remove the Windows PIN.

Step 4. You can click "Add" or "Set up" to create a new PIN if you still want it.

Some users reported that they encountered the Remove PIN button greyed out on their systems. If the issue also occurs on your PC, check the following page to learn how to fix it.

How to Fix Remove PIN (Greyed Out) on Windows 11

Trying to remove your PIN from your PC but only to find out the button greyed out? If so, you can refer to this article to learn how to fix Remove PIN (Greyed Out) on Windows 11.

Way 4. Enable TPM

Sometimes, receiving "Your PIN Isn't Available" may be due to BIOS upgrades or unintentional modifications to PTT or TPM settings. For issues like this, you can enable TPM:

Step 1. Restart your computer and press hotkey "F2," "Del," "F8," "F10," or "F12" to enter BIOS.

Step 2. Go to the Boot tab, find "Secure Boot," and enable it.

Step 3. Then, go to the Security setting and enable every setting with "TPM" or "Security Chip."

Step 4. Save the changes and exit.

Many users are suffering from PIN unavailable issues, but you can share this informative article with them to offer help.

 

Why Is Your PIN Not Working & How to Fix Unavailable PIN

Receiving "Something happened and your PIN isn't available. Click to set up your PIN again." can be caused by many different factors. Here are some common possible reasons why your PIN is not working:

  • Windows update bugs
  • Damaged system files
  • Corrupted PIN data
  • BIOS upgrade errors
  • Hardware changes
  • Improper configuration
  • Profile syncing issues
  • Software conflicts

After logging into Windows successfully, follow the instructions below to avoid PIN becoming invalid again.

#1. Delete the Ngc Folder

All settings and information related to PIN are stored in the Ngc folder. If damage occurs to the folder, you will encounter an issue where the PIN is unavailable. Therefore, you can delete the folder to clear all PIN-related data from Windows. After that, set up a new PIN if you want.

Step 1. First, open File Explorer and set hidden items visible:

  • Windows 10: Select "View" > "Options" > "Change folder and search options." In the "View" tab, go to Advanced settings and select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" and "OK."
  • Windows 11: Select "View" > "Show" > "Hidden items."

Step 2. Then, go to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft.

Step 3. Select the Ngc folder and delete it.

After this, you can reset a new PIN, and it should work normally.

#2. Enable PIN in Group Policy Editor

To ensure the PIN works normally during sign-in, you should enable the convenience PIN sign-in setting in the Group Policy Editor.

Notice:
Ignore this instruction if your Windows doesn't have this feature.

Step 1. Press "Win" + "R" and enter gpedit.msc in the pop-up Run box.

Step 2. Navigate to "Administrative Templates" > "System" > "Logon."

Step 3. Locate and open "Turn on convenience PIN sign-in" in the right pane.

Step 4. Select the "Enabled" option. Then, click "Apply" and "OK."

#3. Update or Downgrade Windows

Some users have reported that their PIN stops working after Windows updates. If you've updated the Windows recently, see whether there's a fresh update that may resolve the problem or roll back the faulty update.

To update your Windows:

Step 1. Open Windows Settings and navigate to "Update & Security" > "Windows Update" or "Windows Update."

Step 2. Hit "Check for updates" to see if there's a new update.

To roll back the update:

Step 1. Search for Control Panel and open it from the Windows search bar.

Step 2. Go to "Uninstall a program" under Programs and select "View installed updates" on the left panel.

Step 3. Right-click on the recent update and hit "Uninstall."

#4. Repair Corrupted File System

A corrupted or damaged file system can also lead to the "Something Happened and Your PIN Isn't Available" issue.

Therefore, you can use EaseUS Partition Master to repair the faulty file system.

Step 1. Right-click the target partition that has a problem.

Step 2. Choose "Advanced" > "Check File System".

Step 3. Confirm if you want to hide the partition or not.

Step 4. In the Check File System window, check the "Try to fix errors if found" option.

Step 5. Click "Start" to check errors on your partition.

Please feel free to share this extensive tool with others that may find it useful.

 

Conclusion

Like passwords, PINs can prevent unauthorized users from accessing your personal computer data. However, sometimes you may encounter a "Something Happened and Your PIN Isn't Available" message on the login screen. But worry not. This article includes everything you need to resolve the issue of the PIN not working. Among all solutions, EaseUS Partition Master brings the greatest convenience for removing your Windows PIN and bypassing the Windows login screen.

FAQs on Something Happened and Your PIN Isn't Available

This part includes some commonly asked questions and answers about PIN.

1. Why does my computer say my PIN is no longer available?

Problems with the PIN service, update failure, improper configuration, incorrect login credentials, corrupted system files, corrupted Ngc folder, etc., could all be the causes of unavailable PIN. 

2. How do I reset my PC PIN?

To reset your PIN, you should:

  • Open Settings and go to "Accounts" > "Sign-in options."
  • Select "PIN (Windows Hello)" and click on "Change PIN" or "I forgot my PIN" to reset your Windows PIN.

3. How to disable PIN?

You can disable PIN on your system by:

  • Open Settings and go to "Accounts" > "Sign-in options."
  • Select "PIN (Windows Hello)" and click on "Remove" to disable your PIN.