When you encounter Windows PIN cannot log in, first check for input errors or keyboard layout problems, and try the numeric keys of the keyboard and main keyboard area; if the PIN is locked, you need to switch password to log in and reset the PIN; if the system update or policy changes, you can restart and reset the PIN or contact the IT department; if the TPM chip is abnormal, check the log and handle BitLocker. Follow the above steps to solve most problems.

If you encounter a Windows PIN cannot log in, don't rush to reinstall the system. This problem is actually quite common, and there are several possible reasons. Let’s talk about the key points and solutions below.

1. Error in input or keyboard layout problems

The most common problem is that you entered the wrong PIN code or the keyboard layout is incorrect. For example, you set a numeric PIN, but accidentally pressed the letter key when entering (for example, the Num Lock status of the keyboard is incorrect), or switched to the Chinese input method.

suggestion:

• Make sure to use the keypad to enter and check if Num Lock is on.
• Try using the numeric keys in the main keyboard area to try again.
• If you set mixed characters (such as containing letters), remember to be correct in upper and lower case.

Sometimes it is not because of the wrong password, but because there is a problem with the input method, especially when the computer is turned on or wake up, these details are easily overlooked.

2. PIN is locked or account is abnormal

For security, Windows will lock the PIN login method after entering errors several times in a row. At this time, you need to log in with your password instead and then reset the PIN.

How to operate:

• Click "Login Options" and switch back to password to log in.
• Enter your Microsoft account or local account password to verify.
• After successfully logging in, go to "Settings > Account > Login Options", delete the old PIN and reset it.

If the prompt "Cannot set a new PIN", it may be that the system file is corrupt, you can try running the system file checking tool:

 sfc /scannow

3. System update or policy change causes PIN to expire

Sometimes, after the system is updated, especially large feature updates (such as Win10 upgrade to Win11), the PIN information may be cleared. In addition, if it is a company computer, group policy may also limit PIN login.

Solutions:

• Check if there are recent updates, try resetting the PIN after restarting.
• If it is an enterprise equipment, contact the IT department to confirm whether there are policy restrictions.
• Open the registry editor ( regedit ) to see if there are any PIN-related items under the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System .

4. TPM chip exception (BitLocker encryption devices only)

If your device has BitLocker encryption enabled and there is a problem with the TPM chip, it may also cause the PIN to be unrecognized. This situation is rare, but it is not without it.

Handling suggestions:

• Check whether there are any relevant error codes in "Windows Logs > Security" in the event viewer.
• Try turning off BitLocker and re-enable it.
• If there is a recovery key, you can use it to decrypt it before processing.

When encountering this kind of problem, in most cases, it is not that the system is broken, but that a small detail is not paid attention to or a temporary state is abnormal. If you check the above directions, you can basically solve the problem.

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