Troubleshooting Guide: How to Fix the I Forgot My PIN not working Issue in Windows 10

It’s a common scenario for many Windows 10 users – you’re trying to access your device, but suddenly realize that you have forgotten your PIN. You try multiple combinations, but the dreaded message “Your PIN is incorrect” keeps popping up. Frustration sets in as you realize the importance of that seemingly harmless four-digit code. But fear not, as we will explore the various error codes related to resetting your Windows Hello PIN and provide corresponding solutions for each code. So, if you’re facing this issue, keep reading to find out how you can quickly get back into your system without any hassle.

Common Error Codes and Mitigations for Windows Hello PIN Reset

Error Code 0x801C044F – Option is currently unavailable

If you encounter this error while trying to reset your Windows Hello PIN, it indicates that the option to reset or remove the PIN is not available at the moment. This could be due to a temporary issue with the Windows Hello service. To resolve this, try the following steps:
1. Restart your computer and try again after the restart.
2. Ensure that your device is connected to the internet and check for any pending Windows updates. Install the updates if available and restart your computer.
3. If the issue persists, wait for some time and then try again later. The Windows Hello service might become available again after some time.
If none of the above steps work, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

Error Code 0×80070057 – Invalid parameter or argument is passed

If you encounter this error while trying to reset the Windows Hello PIN, it indicates that an invalid parameter or argument has been passed. To resolve this, follow these steps:
1. Sign in to your Windows account using your password.
2. Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
3. Under Windows Hello PIN, click on “I forgot my PIN” and follow the instructions provided to reset your PIN.
If you still encounter the error, ensure that you are entering the correct credentials and try again.

Error Code 0x801C03 – User token switch account

If you receive this error while attempting to reset your Windows Hello PIN, it suggests that there is an issue with the user token switch account. To mitigate this error, follow these steps:
1. Sign out of all user accounts on your device.
2. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin_cw5n1h2txyewy\AC\TokenBroker\Accounts.
3. Delete all the files present in this folder.
4. Restart your computer and try to reset your PIN again.

Error Code 0xC0BB – Your PIN or this option is temporarily unavailable

If you encounter this error, it means that the option to reset your PIN is temporarily unavailable. This could be due to a temporary issue with the Windows Hello service. To resolve this, try the following steps:
1. Restart your computer and try again after the restart.
2. Ensure that your device is connected to the internet and check for any pending Windows updates. Install the updates if available and restart your computer.
3. If the issue persists, wait for some time and then try again later. The Windows Hello service might become available again after some time.
If none of the above steps work, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

Error Code 0×80090027 – Caller provided a wrong parameter. If third-party code receives this error, they must change their code

If you encounter this error, it suggests that a wrong parameter has been provided by a third-party code. To mitigate this error, make sure that you are using the correct code or application provided by Microsoft. If the error persists, contact the developer of the third-party code or application for further assistance.

Error Code 0x8009002D – NTE_INTERNAL_ERROR

If you receive this error, it indicates an internal error. To troubleshoot this error, follow these steps:
1. Restart your computer and try to reset the PIN again after the restart.
2. If the error persists, contact Microsoft Support for further assistance in resolving the internal error.

Error Code 0x801C01 – ADRS server response is not in a valid format

If you encounter this error, sign out of all user accounts on your device and then sign in again. This might resolve the issue related to the ADRS server response not being in a valid format.

Error Code 0x801C02 – Server failed to authenticate the user

If this error occurs, sign out of all user accounts on your device and sign in again. This can sometimes resolve the issue of the server failing to authenticate the user.

Error Code 0×80090010 – NTE_PERM

If you receive this error, it indicates a permissions issue. Make sure you have the necessary permissions to perform the operation. If not, contact your system administrator for assistance.

Error Code 0×80090020 – NTE_FAIL

If you encounter this error, the operation has failed. Retry the operation and ensure that all the required conditions are met.

Error Code 0×80090035 – Policy requires TPM and the device does not have TPM

This error indicates that the device does not have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which is required by the policy. To fix this error, modify the Windows Hello for Business policy to remove the TPM requirement. This can be done through the policy settings. Once the policy is updated, retry creating the PIN.

Error Code 0×80090036 – User canceled an interactive dialog

If this error occurs, prompt the user to try creating the PIN again.

Error Code 0×80090029 – TPM is not set up

This error indicates that the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is not set up on the device. To resolve this, follow these steps:
1. Sign on with an administrator account.
2. Type “tpm.msc” in the Start menu.
3. Select the “tpm.msc Microsoft Common Console Document” option.
4. In the Actions pane, select “Prepare the TPM“.
5. After completing this step, try to create the PIN again.

Error Code 0×80090011 – The container or key was not found

Option 1 : (Login required) Using Safe Mode

In the previous chapter, we discussed common error codes and mitigations for Windows Hello PIN reset. However, in some cases, users may encounter an issue where they forget their PIN and are unable to reset it. This can be a frustrating situation, but there are a few troubleshooting methods that can help resolve the issue.

Method 1 : Try to login in Safe mode

One of the first troubleshooting methods to try is signing in through Safe Mode. This is a diagnostic mode in Windows that allows you to troubleshoot and fix various issues with your computer. To access Safe Mode, follow these steps:

Step 1: Restart your computer and press the “F8″ key repeatedly as it boots up.

Step 2: Once the Advanced Boot Options menu appears, use the “arrow keys” to select “Safe Mode” and press “Enter” on your keyboard.

Once you are in Safe Mode, try signing in with your PIN and see if it works. If it does, then the issue may have been caused by a software conflict. You can then restart your computer in normal mode and try signing in with your PIN again.

Method 2 : Try to Delete Ngc folder in Safe mode

If this method doesn’t work, you can try deleting and recreating the Ngc folder. This folder contains the information for your PIN and deleting it will force Windows to recreate it. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Open the “Run” dialog box by pressing the “Windows + R” keys on your keyboard.

Step 2: Type

and press “Enter”.

Step 3: Delete all the files and folders in the Ngc folder.

Method 3 : Try to use Startup Repair in Windows Recovery Environment

Once you have deleted the Ngc folder, try signing in with your PIN again. If it still doesn’t work, you can try restarting your computer in the PIN phase. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Open the “Run” dialog box by pressing the

keys on your keyboard.

Step 2: Type

and press “Enter”.

Step 3:

When the computer restarts, it will boot into the “Advanced Options” menu. Use the “arrow keys” to select “Troubleshoot”.

Step 4:

Select “Advanced Options” and then “Startup Settings”.

Step 5:

Click “Restart” and your computer will restart again.

Step 6:

When the computer restarts, press the “F2″ key to enter the PIN phase.

If none of these methods work, you can try resetting your PIN using your Microsoft account or resetting your computer to its factory settings. It is always recommended to have a backup of your important files and data before performing any of these actions.

By following these troubleshooting methods, you can hopefully resolve the issue of a Windows 10 PIN not working. If the issue persists, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

Option 2 : (Login required) recreate the Ngc folder to fix the problem with resetting the Windows Hello PIN.

As mentioned in the previous chapter, using safe mode can often help troubleshoot issues with the Windows Hello PIN. However, if this method does not work, another solution is to delete and recreate the “Ngc” folder, which stores the necessary files for the PIN feature. This can be done by following the steps below:

Step 1: Press the “Windows” key and “R” key on your keyboard simultaneously to open the Run dialog box. Type

and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

Step 3: In the right pane, look for a value called

. If it exists, right-click on it and select “Delete.“

Step 4: Now, press the “Windows” key and “X” key on your keyboard to open the Quick Link menu. Then, click on “Command Prompt (Admin)” to open an elevated command prompt.

Step 5: In the command prompt, type

and hit Enter. This will navigate you to the “Ngc” folder.

Step 6: Once in the “Ngc” folder, type

and press Enter. This will give you ownership of the folder and its contents.

Step 7: Finally, type

and hit Enter. This will grant full control of the folder to the SYSTEM account.

After completing these steps, restart your computer and try resetting your Windows Hello PIN again. This should fix the issue and allow you to create a new PIN without any problems.

It is important to note that deleting and recreating the “Ngc” folder will remove any saved PINs, so you will have to set up a new PIN after restarting your computer. Make sure to remember your new PIN or save it in a secure location to avoid this issue in the future.

If you are not comfortable using the Registry Editor or command prompt, you can also try using the “Automatic Repair” option in the Advanced Startup menu. This will automatically fix any issues with the “Ngc” folder and allow you to reset your Windows Hello PIN.

In conclusion, if you are experiencing issues with resetting your Windows Hello PIN on Windows 10, deleting and recreating the “Ngc” folder can often be a simple and effective solution. Make sure to follow the steps carefully and always back up important data before making any changes to your system. Hopefully, this guide has helped you fix the problem and regain access to the PIN feature on your computer.

Option 3 : (If forget password) Using Renee PassNow

The Windows 10 PIN is a convenient and secure way to access your device. But what happens when you forget your PIN and can’t reset it? This is a common problem faced by many users, and it can be frustrating and time-consuming to find a solution. Fortunately, there is a simple and effective tool that can help you resolve this issue – Renee PassNow.

Renee PassNow is a password reset tool that allows you to bypass your forgotten PIN and regain access to your Windows 10 device. This tool is specifically designed to help users in situations where they are unable to reset their PIN using the usual methods. It can also be used to bypass forgotten passwords, create new user accounts, and perform other system recovery tasks. Let’s take a look at how Renee PassNow can be used to fix the “I Forgot My PIN not working” issue.

To reset your Windows password using Renee PassNow, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow
Start by downloading Renee PassNow from the official website and install it on a different computer that you can access. You can choose the appropriate version based on your computer’s operating system.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or CD/DVD
Launch Renee PassNow and insert a USB flash drive or blank CD/DVD into the computer. Select the option to create a bootable media. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Step 3: Boot the Locked Server from the Bootable Media
Insert the bootable USB or CD/DVD into the locked Windows computer. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Delete). Configure the boot order to prioritize the bootable media.

Common Server:

Common Computers:

Step 4: Select password reset function
After successfully booting from the bootable media, Renee PassNow will load. Select “PassNow!” function after booting from the new created Windows password reset disk.

Step 5: Resetting the Password
Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password. Then, click on the “Clear Password” button. Renee PassNow will remove or reset the password for the selected user account.

Step 6: Reboot the PC
Once the password is reset, remove the bootable media from the PC and restart the computer. You will now be able to log in to Windows Account without a password.

Step 7: Login in with password instead of PIN

Now, let’s revisit the previous topic of deleting and recreating the Ngc folder. In some cases, this method may not work and users may still face issues with resetting their PIN. In such cases, using Renee PassNow can be a quicker and more reliable solution. It eliminates the need for manually deleting and recreating folders and ensures that the PIN can be reset successfully.

With Renee PassNow, you can quickly resolve the “I Forgot My PIN not working” issue and get back to using your device without any interruptions. So, if you ever find yourself in this situation, don’t panic – just use Renee PassNow and you’ll be back in no time.

Restarting the Computer in PIN Phase to Resolve the Issue

If you have forgotten your PIN for Windows 10 and are unable to access your computer, there is a simple solution that may help resolve the issue. By restarting your computer during the PIN phase, you can potentially bypass the need for a PIN and regain access to your computer. This method can be particularly useful if you do not have access to a password reset tool or if other methods have failed to work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, troubleshooting the “I Forgot My PIN” issue in Windows 10 requires careful analysis of the underlying reasons and application of appropriate solutions. From exploring common error codes and their corresponding mitigations to using Safe Mode and Renee PassNow, there are various methods to fix this problem. It is crucial to follow the step-by-step process and ensure data integrity throughout the troubleshooting process. Additionally, deleting and recreating the Ngc folder and restarting the computer in the PIN phase can also help resolve the issue. By following these troubleshooting methods, you can easily resolve the Windows Hello PIN issue and regain access to your device. Remember to always back up your data before attempting any troubleshooting steps. With these tips and techniques, you can overcome the “I Forgot My PIN” issue in Windows 10 and continue using your device without any inconvenience.