Forum Discussion
Problem with PIN Availability in Safe Mode
Hey Everyone,
Encountering an issue when trying to enter safe mode on Windows - a prompt appears stating "Your PIN is unavailable due to an error." Clicking on the "Set up my PIN" option yields no results. Any suggestions on resolving this obstacle and regaining access to safe mode would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. - I am able to access Windows without issues in the "normal" mode.
13 Replies
Try using Safe Mode With Networking because that is the option Microsoft allows you to use it when you have a PIN set up.
This doesn't work either...don't know why. And it won't allow for alternate login methods, like a local password. Stuck in safe mode and can't log in.
It's mostly likely because your account is online only mode (happens when you set up Windows 11 while connected to a network). I had an option to "create and sign into a local account" in one of these two areas (I think the one listed under accounts). It doesn't delete your data. You can sign back into your account later after safe mode, if you want.
I personally do not like my account to be online only. I'll bet your option to remove your pin was also greyed out and couldn't be removed, which is how mine was when I was logged into my MS account. I ended up finding a way to delete my pin using a command prompt command and all that did was make it so that I could only then log in using my MS account, which took me to an online form and would fail same as the pin since no network in safe mode.
Optionally you can just create another offline account with administrator access and log into that for safe mode and/ or just transfer all your stuff to it if you prefer an offline account.
So I had a brand new system with windows 11 pro. Followed all the setup steps Microsoft tells you too and hit this issue, I had no password login set up...
- Because the setup process never asked me to or gave that option and
- Because Microsoft have removed it as a option from the sign in options
Safe mode is supposed to be a SAFE MODE to boot into where the core windows is running only in it's purest form. It should be THE most reliable method of getting windows itself to run.
The workaround now is to convert to local account but you only know to do this as a new install after you hit this issue and have to fix this bug yourself.
This is unacceptable and needs to be taken as a very high priority bug report. Fix pin sign ins extremely robustly or make setting up the password method part of first setup.
If you are going to force feed us cloud logins they need to be working fully and not a time bomb before you get locked out of your own computer due to a bug that would not exist if it was using the normal approach.
- The fact the response in this thread is years old and the bug still exists is shocking
- The fact it's a bug in windows and it isn't all acknowledged as one and put in the backlog for fixing is unacceptable
- This fix suggested no longer works of adding a password method because why fix a big when you can make it worse
- This needs fixing ASAP, even if they want to force the cloud model they should fix the pin not working at at the very least add a better error message guiding the user into what to do next
I totally agree, this is insane. I have errors that I need to access safe mode to fix, but I can't access safe mode due to errors. Thankfully I managed to disable bitlocker because that loop was a world of pain but I still am in a loop. I sent my laptop back to ASUS a few months ago for repairs, they replaced motherboard apparently and didn't find any issues. But the problems have all come back. And, of course, it is no longer under warranty
Just ran into this, wasted like an hour.
At least add a warning when setting up PIN that it makes it clear that SAFE MODE will be inaccessible?
Oh and also why not an option to exit safe mode without having to go into console to run "bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot?"
I fully agree. I built a new computer and couldn't even login to it without a Microsoft account. Trying to use DDU to uninstall gfc card. Can't do it. No way into safe mode with or without networking, it's absolutely disgusting. No idea what to do.
If your PIN is unavailable in Safe Mode, try these fixes:
- Use Your Password – Safe Mode may not support PIN login. Click "Sign-in options" and use your Microsoft or local account password instead.
- Enable PIN in Safe Mode – Boot into normal mode, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, and temporarily disable then re-enable PIN.
- Reset PIN – In normal mode, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello PIN, and reset it.
- Try Safe Mode with Networking – This mode may allow PIN sign-in if network services are needed.
I tried all this, it kept saying my password was wrong, but it was correct
Now, let’s talk about this “Safe Mode.” You know they name it “Safe Mode,” but I feel like it should more accurately be called “Let’s Make Things Infuriating.” It’s the tech version of the “other side of the pillow.” I mean, I’m just trying to troubleshoot here. I should be able to breathe easy, but instead, I'm stuck in some digital limbo!
