[Fix] Unable to Add and Use PIN Sign-in Option in Windows 10

Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 operating systems allow their users to use PIN code as an alternative sign-in option. You can set a PIN and use it in place of passwords. Use of a PIN makes it easier to sign in to your Windows devices and connect to apps and other online services such as social networks.

Windows_10_Login_Screen_PIN_Option.png

Above screenshot shows the use of PIN and password as different sign-in options at Login Screen in Windows 10.

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PROBLEM SYMPTOMS:

Sometimes users face strange problems while using PIN option in Windows 10 operating system. Many readers have reported us various issues while adding or using PIN in Windows 10. Following are a few issues examples shared by our readers:

  • When the user tries to add PIN using Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in Options page, nothing happens. The user clicks on Add button in PIN section, it asks for current account password and then asks to enter desired PIN but as soon as the user clicks on OK button, nothing changes. The PIN is not added. Sometimes the user gets “Something went wrong. Try again later” error message.
  • Windows 10 doesn’t allow user to sign-in using PIN. Windows doesn’t recognize the PIN.
  • Windows 10 doesn’t show any option to enter PIN at Login Screen.
  • Users enter PIN at login screen and the system hangs. Users have to forcefully restart their machine.
  • PIN option was working fine but after upgrading to a new Windows 10 build, it stopped working.
  • Users are unable to find any sign-in options on Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in Options page. It opens as a blank page.

Above or only a few examples. In simple words, the ability to add and use PIN as a sign-in option becomes completely broken in Windows 10.

PROBLEM REASON:

It happens due to incorrect/corrupt permissions set applied to a hidden system folder called “Ngc“. This folder is present in following location:

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\

Ngc_Folder_Windows_10.png

“Ngc” folder stores all settings related to PIN option. If the folder gets corrupted or if the system doesn’t get proper permissions and full control over this folder, the PIN option stops working and users are unable to add new PIN and login using PIN code. Sometimes if this folder is missing in a Windows 10 computer, such kind of problems may also occur.

PROBLEM SOLUTION:

The solution to fix this issue is very simple! We just need to delete “Ngc” folder and then re-create it. As soon as you create the folder again, Windows will automatically apply proper permissions on it and will allow users to add new PIN and use the PIN at login screen and to connect to apps and services.

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To delete this folder, you’ll need to follow these simple steps:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Then copy and paste following text string in RUN dialog box:

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\

Press Enter and it’ll open Windows Explorer window where you’ll see Ngc folder.

NOTE: If “Ngc” folder is missing in your computer, move to step 4.

2. If you try to delete Ngc folder, Windows will throw error message regarding insufficient permissions. To be able to delete this folder, you’ll need to take ownership of the folder.

Delete_Ngc_Folder_Windows_10.png

You can easily take ownership of the folder with the help of following tutorial:

[Tip] Add “Take Ownership” Option in Files and Folders Context Menu in Windows

Once you use the registry script, right-click on “Ngc” folder and select “Take ownership” option. It’ll take ownership of the folder and assign full control to your user account on the folder.

Take_Ownership_Ngc_Folder.png

3. Now delete “Ngc” folder. If Windows asks for confirmation, accept it.

4. After deleting the folder, right-click on empty area and select “New -> Folder” option. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Shift+N keys together to create new folder.

Set the new folder name as Ngc and close Explorer window.

Correct_Permissions_Ngc_Folder_Windows_10.png

5. That’s it. Now open Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together. Go to Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in Options page and add new PIN.

Now PIN option will work fine and you’ll be able to add and use PIN without any problem.

Also Check:

[Fix] That Fingerprint has Already been Set up on Another Account. Try a Different Finger Error in Windows 10

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Nice advice!

    When I got multi-account at the same time at the same laptop!!!
    Does this transaction will affect other accounts’ PIN?
    One for me and another for my kids, but only at sub-account for my kid
    I can’t set PIN at my kid’s account.

    So if I delete NGC folder, would it affect administrator’s PIN?
    Thanks a lot… 😀

  2. I have a similar problem. I have replaced the Ngc folder in …AppData/Local/Microsoft. Now in settings/sign-in options, when I click the a ADD button for the PIN, it first asks for my Microsoft password and then the process stops and I am unable to set up a PIN number logon. The logon for setting the pin numbers does not open up allowing a PIN to be set. I am using Windows 10.

  3. This did not resolve it for me either. What’s weird is that on a different laptop, same domain, I have no issues using Windows Hello. But on my laptop, it doesn’t work.

  4. It worked!! Make sure you are updated and do it exactly as it is. Don’t forget the *TIP* and you’re good to go!! I’ve been trying to make this work for soooo long and I can finally use the PIN for signing in again, thank you so much!!!

  5. SIGN-IN OPTIONS is not accessible in Account Settings.
    After Deleting Ngc folder SIGN IN PIN is deleted, but then Microsoft Account Password is needed.
    I hate Microsoft and Windows. Always something and always going in circles.

  6. I have done this but its still not solved, I came across a similar issue before with windows 1803 and we had to change something in the group policies to enable PIN. Now with 1903 this thing happened and nothing I do seems to solve the issue.

  7. Thanks for the detailed instructions, but for me they didn’t work. I tried many other suggested fixes, and none worked. Ultimately I found the solution for my system (X1 Tablet 3rd gen) here (post by DarthDew):

    I’ve been fighting this for a long time. I’ve tried all these group policy settings: turn on convenience PIN login, enable windows hello for business, enable biometrics, etc. etc. etc. I finally found the solution.

    The PCs in my company are Windows 10 build 1809. Mostly Lenovo X1 Yogas and P330s and some Surface Pros. They are domain-joined to a 2012 R2 domain and they are subscribed to Office 365 for email and Office Pro Plus. We have an E3 license in Office 365. When a user registers the Office apps using their own O365 license, it connects Windows to their work account. Disconnecting that allowed me to setup PIN and Fingerprint. Here’s how to do it:

    1. Go to Windows Settings -> Accounts -> Access Work or School. The key setting is the “Work or School Account” with the colorful windows logo by it. Disconnect that. Don’t touch the “Connected to whatever domain” setting.

    2. Then click on “Sign-in Options”. Fingerprint and PIN are no longer greyed out. If it’s still greyed out, then make sure “convenience PIN sign-in” is enabled.

    3. Add the PIN, then the Fingerprint.

    4. Go back to “Access Work or School” in Settings -> Accounts.

    5. Click Connect and Enter the user’s email address and password.

    The only group policy currently in effect is the “Turn on Convenience PIN sign-in” setting under Policies, Administrative Templates, System, Logon. Note that this is NOT Windows Hello for Business. This is still just password stuffing. Some day, convenience PIN sign-in will be deprecated and we’ll have to do it the secure way.

    In his (and my) case, the problem was caused by adding a school account to a system with outlook.com account as login. After disabling the school account as per DarthDew’s instructions I was able to set up a PIN and fingerprint logon. Hoping this helps some other people who are similarly stuck!

  8. Recently had win 10 update version 2004 on Acer Z5610 and can no longer login to pc, which stops dead on initial windows picture, following normal windows tune – when date & time appear as normal bottom left and wifi symbol appears on bottom right , but get no usual request for pin number login details!
    Communication now impossible via wifi AND usb devices – mouse or keyboard so can’t even use f1-12 keys to get into BIOS, so no way to get the ‘stalled’ system to resume following the 2004 update!
    Help!

  9. ^^ I can only suggest to do a repair using bootable USB. There might be bugs and issues in the latest feature update. I hope they’ll fix them soon via cumulative updates.

  10. Thank you, I appreciate you sharing this fix. I also had to clear another folder contents because I got “that fingerprint has already been used” error.

    You may have to turn off biometrix service to clear the folder contents.

    This was a simple fix considering all the numerous things I have tried over several weeks time.

  11. THANK YOU, I had this problem today, I couldn’t sign into my microsoft account until I found this! Thanks!

  12. Thank you so much. This method solve my problem. After a lot of search i found this.

  13. After we upgraded our windows, Hello stopped working. On the setup page is a message under each option “This option is currently unavailable.’ My tech guys can’t figure it out, they don’t have any policies restricting Hello. I tried you advice above but it didn’t work, I still get the same message. The only options that work are Security Key and Password, BIometrics and PIN do not work. HELP!

  14. I tried all the steps, downloaded the zip file, took ownership of the folder, deleted the folder, and created a new one. Still grayed out and I cannot access any of the Microsoft Hello features. What now??

  15. I can not make this work either to reset my pin. -I also follow the exact instructions , nothing works. It is so frustrating.—I really do not expect any help ,-as I have read others problems, but no response as to getting help and making it work.

  16. Update: I restarted my laptop and it worked. Are there any potential issues that could happen with deleting the NGC folder? One issue I’ve been experiencing with the fingerprint now, is that it will work momentarily and look like my desktop is opening but then the sign-in page (the second one though ,not the main login) will pop up again with my name and I’ll try the fingerprint multiple times but it looks like it glitches – it just keeps jutting in and out and then tells me to put in my pin. I’ve noticed it kind of depends on timing too – if I press the fingerprint quickly and hold it, it will go instantly to my desktop. But it feels strange that this happens and doesn’t seem like it should – it seems like a system error and I’m not sure if it’s connected at all to deleting that NGC folder or just a glitch from gaining ownership, or something else.

  17. Just enable Windows biometrics worked for me. I had it disabled among a lot of other stuff. Went through the services list and enabled 1 at a time that I disabled if didnt work I went back and disabled till I got to Windows biometrics and then it worked. There ya go. I tried the delete ngc file and sfc /scannow but didnt work. This was only thing worked for me. Your welcome. lol.

  18. i have read all the above but i cannot get to the command prompt. when it asks me to set up pin, i get message that its not available and keeps bringing me back to the windows login screen. any suggestions?

  19. all the above has been review and/or tried, except there is nothing in the NGC folder and I still can’t set a pin or use facial recognition on my laptop. The problem has also migrated to my desktop. Now WHAT????

  20. Problems with PIN access has been going on far too long. PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE. Microsoft and Windows is very frustrating

  21. VIELEN VIELEN DANK!

    endlich eine Anleitung die funktioniert!!!!

    Translation:

    THANKS A LOT!

    finally a guide that works!!!!

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