Many people have reported a ‘Something happened and your PIN is not available’ error message when entering the PIN to sign in to Windows. This error blocks users from accessing their Microsoft account and, hence, accessing the Windows operating system.
Fortunately, there are a few steps that you can take to fix this issue. In this article, we’ll explain the possible reasons behind this error message and how to resolve it so you can go back and work on Windows quickly.
Below we have discussed:
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What causes this error message?
Here are some of the most common reasons for the ‘Something happened and your pin is not available’ error message on Windows:
- Malware infection: When your device is infected by malware, it can corrupt or delete the important PIN files, causing the PIN service to malfunction.
- System files are corrupt: If the system files on your Windows computer are corrupt, it can affect the PIN facility. This can happen due to sudden shutdowns or power surges.
- Issues with TPM: The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a hardware that provides encryption services. If this hardware is damaged or corrupted, it can affect the PIN service.
- Conflict with third-party software: Some third-party software is not optimised and can cause conflict with other system files, causing the PIN to malfunction.
- Incomplete or failed Windows update: Most users have reported this issue after a failed Windows update. It may happen that during the update, the computer shuts down, causing serious disruptions with the system files.
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How to fix this issue?
Now that we have understood the possible reasons behind the ‘Something happened and your pin is not available’ error message, we must find the fixes.
Reset your PIN
For those with a Microsoft account, you can easily reset the PIN. Here’s how to reset your PIN:
- Step 1: Click on Set up my PIN below this error message and enter the details.
- Step 2: Complete the two-step verification process.
- Step 3: When you are done, press on Continue.
- Step 4: Finally, type the new PIN and click OK.
Delete NGC folder
The NGC folder contains all the information related to PIN. If this folder is corrupted, you won’t be able to use the PIN service.
Step 1: Open File Explorer, click on the View tab in the top menu bar and then checkmark the box beside the Hidden items option to unhide the hidden folders.
Step 2: Copy and paste C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft in the address bar, select and then delete the Ngc folder.
Log in using the account password
If you’ve set up both a password and a PIN for logging into Windows, and you encounter a situation where your PIN isn’t working, you can try using your password instead. If that doesn’t work, you can reset your PIN to resolve the issue. Here are the steps:
Step 1: On the lock screen, select Sign-in options and click the key icon to choose the option to log in with your password.
Step 2: Enter your password to access the Windows desktop.
Step 3: Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Settings and click on Accounts.
Step 4: Click on the Sign-in options in the sidebar, and then on the right side click on Windows Hello PIN.
Step 5: Click on I forgot my PIN or Change button and follow the on-screen instructions.
Enable TPM
A TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a chip inside your computer that helps keep it secure. If it is disabled, you might see this error message on the login screen. Make sure it is enabled. Here’s how to enable it:
- Step 1: Restart your PC and keep pressing the BIOS button; it is usually F2, F10, or F12, depending on the PC’s brand.
- Step 2: Use the arrow keys to go to the Boot tab.
- Step 3: Go to the Security tab, find TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and enable it. For the PCs with Intel chipsets, the option will be shown as Intel Trusted Platform Module Technology or just TPM Device and for the PCs with the AMD, the option will be shown as AMD TPM Configuration.
- Step 4: Restart your PC.
Uninstall Windows updates
If you find that your PIN isn’t working after updating to Windows 10, you might want to consider uninstalling the most recent update. If you usually log in using a password, you can do this by accessing the Control Panel. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Open the Control Panel and click Uninstall a program under the Programs section.
Step 2: In the sidebar, click on the View installed updates option.
Step 3: Select the latest update and click on the Uninstall button.
Repair you system
If all other solutions fail to fix the error, the most effective way to resolve it is by reinstalling or repairing your operating system. The Windows Media Creation tool offers a convenient method to reinstall Windows or repair the OS. With this tool, you can either perform a fresh installation or repair your operating system without losing your data.
You can download the Media Creation Tool here
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