Reset Your Windows 11 PIN Without Knowing the Current One

Quick fix: At the sign-in screen, click Sign-in options below the PIN field, switch to Password. Sign in with your Microsoft account password (or local password). Once at the desktop, go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → PIN (Windows Hello) → I forgot my PIN to reset without knowing the old one.

You forgot your Windows Hello PIN. You can’t sign in via PIN. But the “I forgot my PIN” option at the lock screen sometimes fails, or you don’t see it. The reliable path is to sign in via password first, then reset the PIN from within Windows.

What causes this

Windows Hello PIN is bound to your identity (Microsoft account or local account password). Forgetting the PIN doesn’t lock you out — you can still sign in with the underlying account password and reset the PIN afterward. The flow looks complex from the lock screen but is straightforward once you know the steps.

Method 1: Sign in via password, then reset PIN in Settings

The standard recovery.

1. At the sign-in screen, you see the PIN field by default. Click Sign-in options below it.
2. The available sign-in methods appear as small icons. Pick Password (key icon or Microsoft account icon).
3. Enter your Microsoft account password (the one you set when creating your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com). For local accounts: your local password.
4. Sign in. The desktop loads.
5. Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.
6. Click PIN (Windows Hello).
7. Click I forgot my PIN.
8. Confirm your Microsoft account password again (or local password).
9. Enter a new PIN. Confirm.
10. The new PIN is now active. Lock the PC (Win + L) and test.

This works for nearly every forgotten-PIN case.

Method 2: Use “I forgot my PIN” directly at the lock screen

If the option is visible.

1. At the sign-in screen, click in the PIN field (or click Sign-in options → PIN if not already selected).
2. Below the PIN field, look for a small link: I forgot my PIN. Click it.
3. Windows starts the PIN reset wizard. You’ll need to authenticate — either with your Microsoft account password, or by clicking Send code to receive a verification code to your linked email/phone.
4. Enter the code or password.
5. Set a new PIN. Confirm.
6. Click OK. The new PIN is active. Sign in with it immediately.

This is faster when the option is visible. Method 1 is the fallback when it’s not.

Method 3: Reset Microsoft account password if you forgot that too

Used when you can’t sign in via either PIN or password.

1. From another device (phone, another PC), visit account.microsoft.com.
2. Click Sign in. Enter your email.
3. Click Forgot password? at the password prompt.
4. Microsoft sends a verification code to your linked email or phone. Enter it.
5. Set a new password.
6. Return to the affected PC. At the sign-in screen, click Sign-in options → Password. Enter the new password.
7. Once signed in, follow Method 1 to reset the PIN.
8. For local accounts where you also forgot the password: Microsoft account password recovery doesn’t apply. You may need to use Windows Recovery Environment’s offline tools or perform a fresh Windows install.

This is the escalation when both PIN and password are forgotten.

How to verify the fix worked

• Lock the PC (Win + L). At the lock screen, the PIN field accepts your new PIN. Signs in within 1-2 seconds.
• Reboot. PIN sign-in works.
• Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → PIN (Windows Hello). Shows your PIN is active.

If none of these work

If you can’t reset PIN even after signing in via password, three causes apply. Corrupted NGC folder: see the related article on signing in with PIN issues — clearing the NGC folder from elevated Terminal forces a fresh PIN setup path. TPM issues: a corrupted TPM may prevent PIN binding. Open tpm.msc; if status warnings appear, Clear TPM (suspend BitLocker first). Corporate Intune policy: managed PCs may have PIN reset policies. Contact IT. For chronic PIN failures despite all measures, fall back to using your Microsoft account password as the primary sign-in method.

Bottom line: Forgot PIN? Sign in via your Microsoft account password, reset PIN from Settings. The lock screen’s “Sign-in options” link gets you to password sign-in.