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19 October 2026  Ashley S. Miller  Specialist of Customer Service Dept.
Last update by James Smith at 19 October 2026

Summary
This article outlines technical methods to fix something went wrong pin reset windows 10 errors, covering built-in Windows troubleshooting, NGC cache clearance, and offline recovery tools. The provided solutions address network connectivity checks, Microsoft service status verification, and bootable USB interventions for persistent lock screen failures.



Table of contents

table iconQuick answer: fastest ways to fix the 'Something went wrong' PIN reset error in Windows 10
table iconStep-by-step: recover access and reset your Windows Hello PIN
table iconFAQ
Running into “Something went wrong” while resetting your Windows Hello PIN can be stressful, especially if you’re locked out and need quick access. This error typically appears after selecting “I forgot my PIN” on the lock screen, but the reset process might fail due to network issues, Microsoft server outages, or corrupted local cache files. The steps below walk you through the fastest built-in fixes, followed by a reliable offline workaround using Renee PassNow.
Windows Hello PIN sign-in error saying 'Something went wrong'

Quick answer: fastest ways to fix the 'Something went wrong' PIN reset error in Windows 10

If you see a password option on the lock screen, use it to sign in and reset your PIN in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
use password option to login instead.
If the “I forgot my PIN” link appears, check your network connection and Microsoft service status, then retry the reset. If you’re fully locked out or the reset keeps failing, use Renee PassNow with a bootable USB to clear the PIN or password and regain access.

Step-by-step: recover access and reset your Windows Hello PIN

Method 1: Troubleshoot the 'I forgot my PIN' lock-screen flow

The “Something went wrong” error during the “I forgot my PIN” process is usually caused by network problems, Microsoft server outages, or a corrupted local NGC cache.
Start with these checks:
1. Make sure the lock screen shows a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and the PC is online.
login screen network status
2. Use your phone to check Microsoft service status for account and identity services.
You can check Microsoft service status with: status.cloud.microsoft
3. If there’s a service outage or unstable network, wait, reconnect, and try the “I forgot my PIN” flow again.
If your network and Microsoft services are fine but the error persists, the local NGC cache may be corrupted. In this case, the most reliable solution is to bypass the lock screen with Renee PassNow and reset the PIN from inside Windows.

Method 2: Use Renee PassNow to bypass the lock screen

This approach lets you remove the PIN or password from outside Windows, so it works even if the lock screen is stuck on “Something went wrong”.
Renee PassNow is your go-to solution when built-in PIN reset options fail—whether the password option is missing, the “I forgot my PIN” link doesn’t work, your PC can’t connect to Microsoft servers, or the Windows Hello cache is corrupted.
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With Renee PassNow, you can:
- Use Create USB to make a bootable recovery drive from another PC.
- Boot the locked computer from the USB and select Clear All Password/PIN to remove the lock.
- Use Data Transfer to back up your files before making changes.
- If BitLocker encryption is detected, unlock with BitLocker Manager using Unlock with Password or Unlock with Recovery Key. (A Bitlocker recovery key is required!)
Requirements: You’ll need a second PC and a blank USB drive. The Basic edition does not support BitLocker. Note: For Microsoft accounts, Renee PassNow may convert the account to a local account; you can reconnect your Microsoft account after regaining access.

Step 1: Create a bootable USB on a working PC

Install Renee PassNow on another computer. Launch it, plug in a blank USB drive, and click Create USB.
Choose the system type (such as (x64) or (x86)) that matches your locked PC, then click download now to get the ISO. When the download finishes, follow the prompts to create the bootable USB. Click Eject USB when done.
Create bootable USB in Renee PassNow

Creating the bootable USB will erase all data on that USB drive. Back up anything important first.

Step 2: Boot the locked PC from the USB

Insert the Renee PassNow USB into your locked PC, restart, and immediately press the boot-menu key for your PC brand.
Insert the boot device
Select the USB drive from the boot menu. If you don’t see the boot menu, enter BIOS/UEFI setup and move the USB drive to the top of the boot order.
Select boot order
Brand Boot Menu Key BIOS Setup Key

DELL

F12

F2

HP

F9 or Esc → F9

Esc → F10

Lenovo

F12 or Novo Button

F2 or F1

ASUS

Esc/F8

F2 or Delete

Step 3: Unlock BitLocker if detected

If your system drive is encrypted, open BitLocker Manager. Use Unlock with Password if you know it, or Unlock with Recovery Key if you have the 48-digit key.
Unlock the system with BitLocker Manager

Note: BitLocker is not supported in the Basic edition.

Step 4: Clear the PIN and password

Once Renee PassNow loads, choose PassNow!, select your Windows system and user account.
Select PassNow! function
Select target Windows system
Click Clear All Password/PIN (or Clear Password). Renee PassNow will remove the PIN and password from the account.
Clear password with Renee PassNow

Step 5: Optional backup with Data Transfer

Before making changes, you can use Data Transfer to copy important files from the locked drive to another disk. This is recommended if you want a backup before clearing credentials.
Data Transfer interface in Renee PassNow

Method 3: Restore access and set a new PIN

After clearing the PIN or password, remove the USB and restart your PC.
Windows 11 sign-in options page with PIN removal section highlighted
1. Sign in with your account password. If your account was converted to a local account, use the local password or leave it blank if none was set.
2. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
3. Under PIN (Windows Hello), click Add to set a new PIN.
4. If you previously used a Microsoft account, reconnect it under Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts.

Advanced fallback: clear the NGC cache with Command Prompt

If you still see PIN errors after signing in, the NGC cache may be corrupted. This advanced option lets Windows rebuild the cache.

If you need to delete the NGC cache without signing in to Windows, you’ll need to create Windows installation media or Build-in WinRE and use it to access Command Prompt.

To open an elevated Command Prompt:
1. Search cmd in the Start menu.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Windows 11 search results showing Command Prompt with Run as administrator option
Then run these commands one at a time:

takeown /f C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc /r /d y
icacls C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc /grant administrators:F /t
rd /s /q C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc

- takeown assigns ownership of the Ngc folder.
- icacls grants full control to Administrators.
- rd deletes the NGC cache.
Restart and try creating a new PIN. Only use this after signing in.
File Explorer showing the NGC folder inside the Microsoft directory

FAQ

What causes the 'Something went wrong' error during the 'I forgot my PIN' flow?

The most common reasons are unstable network connections, Microsoft service outages, or a corrupted local NGC cache. The reset process requires a stable connection to Microsoft servers and a healthy local cache.

How do I fix the PIN error if I don't see a password option on the lock screen?

Use Renee PassNow to boot from a USB drive and clear the PIN or password. This works even if the password option is hidden or the lock screen remains on the error.

Is it safe to use Renee PassNow to clear my PIN and password?

Yes, when used properly. Renee PassNow changes account credentials outside of Windows and doesn’t delete your files by default. For extra safety, use Data Transfer to back up important data before making changes, especially if your system is unstable.

Will I lose my personal files when resetting the Windows 10 PIN?

No, resetting your PIN does not remove personal files. Your user data in C:\Users\YourUserName stays intact. The only files erased are those on the USB drive you use to create the bootable media.
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