We’ve investigated this issue thoroughly and we’ve discovered that there are several underlying scenarios that might be responsible for the ‘Your PIN is no longer available’ error on Windows 11. Here’s a list of possible culprits: Now that you are aware of every potential reason why you might suddenly be unable to sign in with your previously established PIN, here’s a list of methods that other Windows 11 have successfully used to fix the ‘Your PIN is no longer available‘ error:
1. Sign in with the password instead and change the current PIN (if applicable)
If you are suddenly unable to use your PIN to complete the sign-in process, the first thing you should try is to use the fallback alternative of logging in – using the Microsoft account / local account password instead of the PIN. Note: This method might not work if you’re using a local account. If you have a password to fall back on and you successfully manage to complete the sign-in process on Windows 11, you can then go inside the Sign-in Options menu (under Accounts) and establish a new PIN. In case this scenario is applicable, follow the instructions below to sign in with the password and change the current PIN in order to fix the ‘Your PIN is No Longer Available’ error: If you didn’t have an account password to fall back to, move down to the next potential fix below.
2. Rollback the latest update from Advanced Options (if applicable)
If you noticed that the issue started to appear immediately after you completed the installation of a pending security update, you are most likely dealing with a conflict that has rendered your current sign-in options obsolete. In case this scenario is applicable, one way to fix the issue is to force your PC to boot inside the Advanced Options menu and roll back the latest Windows update that was recently installed. Note: You should only follow this guide if you started getting the ‘Your PIN is no longer available’ error immediately after a new Windows Update was installed. Follow the instructions below to learn how to access the Advanced Options and roll back the latest Windows Update that was recently installed in order to fix the issue: If you’re still experiencing the same ‘Your PIN is no longer available’ error even after you installed the latest available update, move down to the next potential fix below.
3. Boot in Safe Mode and Delete NGC folder
If none of the methods above have proven to be effective in your case, you should start considering the fact that you might be dealing with some type of conflicting data that is currently being stored inside the NGC folder. Note: THe NGC folder is responsible for storing information related to the sign-in options currently set up on your PC – this includes PIN, password and retina, and any other type of sign-in method. If the reason why you’re seeing the ‘Your PIN is no longer available’ error is an inconsistency rooted inside the NGC folder, then booting in Safe Mode (without networking) and deleting the NGC folder should allow you to resolve the issue. For step by step instructions on how to do this, follow the instructions below: In case this method was not effective in your case and you’re still unable to bypass the initial login screen when booting normally, try the next potential fix below.
4. Perform a Startup Repair procedure
As it turns out, you can also expect to see this issue due to some type of boot-related issue that prevents your PC from validating a previously established PIN. The ‘Your PIN is no longer available’ error can occur due to corrupted boot data that interferes with the startup sequence. If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the issue by initiating a startup repair procedure. Note: Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that will fix the majority of common system problems that will prevent your Windows installation from starting. This tool (much like every other automated troubleshooter present on Windows) comes with a series of automated repair strategies that can be applied if a viable scenario is found. But keep in mind that since you’re likely not able to boot up normally, you will need to trigger a Startup Repair procedure from the Recovery Menu. Here’s what you need to do: In case you’re still seeing the same ‘Pin is no longer available’ error, move down to the next potential fix below.
5. Reset PC and keep Personal Files
If none of the methods above have proven to be effective in your case, one last resort solution that has helped a lot of users finally fix this error is to perform a Windows 11 Reset with the option to keep your personal files. Note: Keep in mind that this procedure is different than a repair install procedure. This procedure will reset your Windows to the default state erasing any previously established PINs. However, aside from personal files (documents, personal media, etc.), everything else (including games and applications) will be erased. If you have no options left and you understand the consequences of going for this method, follow the instructions below to reset your Windows 11 PC with the option to keep your personal files:
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