Windows 10 has many ways to sign in to an account, including using a PIN, which is a faster and more convenient authentication method than a traditional password. However, sometimes you won’t be able to use a PIN to log in, and trying to change or add a new PIN will result in a “Something went wrong. Try again later” error message, and you may even not be able to remove the current PIN from the Settings app.
When you experience problems using Windows Hello PIN, the system files responsible for this feature are likely missing or corrupted. Luckily, there’s a workaround that allows for fixing the problem quickly.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to fix the issue that could prevent you from removing, configuring, or using a Windows Hello PIN to log in on Windows 10.
Fix Windows Hello PIN problems on Windows 10
To fix Windows Hello PIN when you can’t use, change, remove, or add a PIN to your account, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the first command to take ownership of the NGC folder and press Enter:
takeown /f C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC /r /d y
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Type the second command to take ownership of the NGC folder and press Enter:
icacls C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC /grant administrators:F /t
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Open File Explorer.
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Open the NGC folder in the following location:
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC
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Click the Select all button from the “Home” tab.
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Click the Delete button from the “Home” tab.
Warning: Deleting the contents of this folder will remove the Windows Hello PIN from every account configured on the device. -
Restart your device.
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Sign into your account using the password.
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Set up a new PIN (if applicable).
Once you complete the steps, you can start using your PIN again. If you didn’t get the prompt to create a PIN, you set up one on the Accounts settings page.
If you had more than one account configured on the device, each user would have to recreate their PIN.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].