Issues with Windows 10 PIN

I am currently locked out of my laptop because it claims my Windows 10 PIN
has been entered incorrectly too many times.
What is the best course of action here?
I attempted to reset it via my Microsoft account, which sent
a verification code to my phone or email, but once I enter that code, it simply won't work.
It just loops me right back to the same login screen.
????

You might be able to log in using just your password. If you look right under where you enter your Windows 10 PIN, there’s a "sign-in options" link. Just click that and select "password" if you remember it.

I appreciate you giving it a shot, but it’s just not working.
At this point, I suspect even the top-tier experts wouldn't be able to crack this one...

Nicole Booth25 said:I appreciate you giving it a shot, but it’s just not working.
At this point, I suspect even the top-tier experts wouldn't be able to crack this one...

Wait, so you aren't even seeing the login screen where you enter your password, or are you just totally stuck because you forgot what your password actually is?

Do you have access to an admin account at all?

Jack Cook7 said:Wait, so you aren't even seeing the login screen where you enter your password, or are you just totally stuck because you forgot what your password actually is?

Do you have access to an admin account at all?

I am seeing the login screen, but it's asking for a PIN, if you catch my drift.
I enter the PIN, and even though I know for a fact it is correct, it refuses to work for some reason!

It gives me Sign-in options—when I click that, I also see the option for a fingerprint, but that won't work either since I never even set one up.
There is also the "I forgot my PIN" option.
When I click that and log in using my Microsoft Account password, it sends me a code, but once I enter that code, nothing happens; it just loops me right back to the start and tells me to try again!
After doing that a few times, it eventually displays a message saying I have tried too many times.
I try next day and it's the exact same story, and I can't get into Windows. It's driving me insane!

I am the only user on this laptop; there aren't any other accounts.

What other options are available to me?

Nicole Booth25 said:I am seeing the login screen, but it's asking for a PIN, if you catch my drift.
I enter the PIN, and even though I know for a fact it is correct, it refuses to work for some reason!

It gives me Sign-in options—when I click that, I also see the option for a fingerprint, but that won't work either since I never even set one up.
There is also the "I forgot my PIN" option.
When I click that and log in using my Microsoft Account password, it sends me a code, but once I enter that code, nothing happens; it just loops me right back to the start and tells me to try again!
After doing that a few times, it eventually displays a message saying I have tried too many times.
I try next day and it's the exact same story, and I can't get into Windows. It's driving me insane!

I am the only user on this laptop; there aren't any other accounts.

What other options are available to me?

What are you using to log into your Microsoft Account? That same PIN?

Have you ever logged into Windows 10 using your regular username and password?

It looks like Windows 10 had some kind of bug after an update where the PIN login just stops working. Microsoft suggests rebooting and then trying again, but honestly, that usually doesn't do squat.

The other suggestion is exactly what your buddy mentioned: click on Sign-in options and try logging in with your classic password instead.

Everything basically boils down to finding a way to log in as a local admin so you can change the PIN on your account.

There are some guides here, so just read through them in order and give them a shot.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...22b7bb9?page=2

Here are a few relevant snippets:
=====================
LukeDuffield replied on May 11, 2016
Reply In reply to Saorsail's post on March 26, 2016
I had a similar problem. I've never entered my PIN incorrectly BUT I logged on this evening and got the 'you entered your PIN wrong too many times - restart to try again'. Even if I do restart I get the same message. I've reset my PIN to a new PIN - but still get the same message. Frustrating! Any ideas what to do?

iTechDawg replied on May 23, 2016
Reply In reply to Saorsail's post on March 26, 2016
I was having the same issue as those above, PIN entered too many times, no matter how many times I restarted. The only thing I was able to do to fix it was to go into the Account Settings / Sign-in Options and actually choose to remove the PIN. After confirming that I was who I said I was by again making me sign in with my Microsoft Account password, it DID let me remove the current PIN and after that I was able to ADD a PIN again, and has worked since then.

...wait, could the keyboard layout or language settings have switched up? You know, the one in the bottom right corner of the login screen? If that happened, you might be typing away and getting nothing but gibberish.

wearymason4 said:...wait, could the keyboard layout or language settings have switched up? You know, the one in the bottom right corner of the login screen? If that happened, you might be typing away and getting nothing but gibberish.

That isn't the issue here. Even if it were, there isn't an icon available to switch languages on this specific login screen...

It’s definitely there for me—my screen shows "HRV," and when I click it, I get the choice between a US standard keyboard or an "ENG" (US) US keyboard before I type in my login password.

wearymason4 said:It’s definitely there for me—my screen shows "HRV," and when I click it, I get the choice between a US standard keyboard or an "ENG" (US) US keyboard before I type in my login password.

That’ll only work if you actually have both languages installed.

I’ve always kept my settings set to both US and UK standards on every Windows machine I’ve ever owned. Honestly, if the second layout isn't there, it’s not even a big deal—you can just jump into the settings and add or fix a third option if the keyboard is stuck on some weird default setting.

The Windows 10 PIN is one thing entirely!
Your Microsoft Account password is a separate matter altogether.
And then there’s your Outlook email address, which is yet another thing.

So, here's the situation: I attempted to log in using that second method.
Specifically, the password for my Microsoft Account.
The system tells me they’ll send a recovery code so I can set a new PIN.
The code arrives via SMS without any issues.
But when I actually enter it on the login screen, it refuses to work.
Instead, it just throws an error saying "something went wrong."
And just like that, I've been stuck in this endless loop for days.

All I see on my desktop is a handful of icons: Sleep, Restart, and the Wi-Fi icon.
That's it. Nothing else.
....

Nicole Booth25 said:The Windows 10 PIN is one thing entirely!
Your Microsoft Account password is a separate matter altogether.
And then there’s your Outlook email address, which is yet another thing.

So, here's the situation: I attempted to log in using that second method.
Specifically, the password for my Microsoft Account.
The system tells me they’ll send a recovery code so I can set a new PIN.
The code arrives via SMS without any issues.
But when I actually enter it on the login screen, it refuses to work.
Instead, it just throws an error saying "something went wrong."
And just like that, I've been stuck in this endless loop for days.

All I see on my desktop is a handful of icons: Sleep, Restart, and the Wi-Fi icon.
That's it. Nothing else.
....

Can I ask how you guys even post on this forum?
Are you doing it from your phones? (Since my laptop is being a total nightmare)

Yes, via mobile

Alright, let me ask you guys—has anyone here ever actually logged into Windows 10 on a laptop using just a LOCAL username and password?
I’m talking about the kind that doesn't have to match your Microsoft login or password at all. Seriously, those two things are completely different beasts.

No, I haven't
I'm not quite sure how to go about that.

Nicole Booth25 said:No, I haven't
I'm not quite sure how to go about that.

Are you guys seeing anything like this on your screen when you try to log in?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ion=Windows_10

I’d suggest downloading the Hiren boot CD, booting up from it, and then you can just grab all the passwords and pins from the account or maybe even just enable the admin account directly. Once you've done that, you can log in as the admin and then go ahead and reset the password and pin on your main account.

It really should only take about three minutes of work.

Jack Cook7 said:Are you guys seeing anything like this on your screen when you try to log in?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ion=Windows_10

Unfortunately, absolutely not.

It’s just the PIN and fingerprint options.

Nicole Booth25 said:Unfortunately, absolutely not.

It’s just the PIN and fingerprint options.

So, we're talking about a kid here.

Up above, Kenneth Cruz67 mentioned a workaround—cracking the password using a CD or a USB drive.

If you aren't sure what that means, just hit up whoever sold you the laptop. Either they can fix it themselves, or they definitely know someone who can. It’ll probably cost you around $33 bucks, and if you drop it off, they should have it sorted within an hour. It's super simple and won't wipe your data.

And seriously, always keep a backup local admin account with its own login and password handy.