Cannot log in and pin and password will not reset

Connect the Windows 11 sign-in screen to the new network, then use Sign-in options → Password to sign in with the account password before creating a new PIN.

1. Connect from the sign-in screen

Having internet at the new location does not necessarily mean the PC is connected before sign-in.

1. Select the Network/Wi-Fi icon in the lower-right corner.
2. Select the new Wi-Fi network, enter its Wi-Fi password, and wait until it shows Connected. If available, temporarily use an Ethernet cable.
3. Select Sign-in options under the sign-in box.
4. Select the key/password icon—not the PIN icon.
5. Enter the password for the account displayed on the screen. For a Microsoft account, this is the account password, not the PIN. ^1^

If the Microsoft-account password was recently changed, use the new password while the computer is online. Windows may require one successful password sign-in before Windows Hello PIN sign-in becomes available again. ^2^

2. Reset the correct credential

The PIN and account password are separate credentials.

If this is a Microsoft account

The username normally appears as an email address.

1. Select I forgot my PIN beneath the PIN box.
2. Complete account verification and create a new PIN. This sign-in-screen option is available for Microsoft accounts, not local accounts.
3. If the password is also rejected, select I forgot my password. Alternatively, select Sign-in options → Web sign-in → Forgot my password, if Web sign-in is displayed.
4. After recovering the password, sign in with it first and then create the new PIN. ^3^

Once at the desktop, the PIN can also be recreated through:

Start → Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → PIN (Windows Hello) → I forgot my PIN.

If this is a local account

1. Switch to password entry using Sign-in options.
2. Submit the password entry once.
3. Select OK → Reset password.
4. Answer the security questions created with the account, then set a new password.

A previously created password-reset disk can be used instead. If neither the security answers nor a reset disk is available—and no other existing administrator account can reset this account—Microsoft documents resetting Windows as the remaining option. ^4^

3. If normal sign-in still fails

Try Safe Mode with Networking:

1. At the sign-in screen, hold Shift while selecting Power → Restart.
2. Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
4. Sign in using the account password.

PIN and biometric sign-in are unavailable in Safe Mode, so this requires a working Microsoft-account or local-account password. ^1^

4. Last resort: reset Windows

Avoid registry edits, deleting the PIN credential folder, or enabling hidden accounts from recovery; those are not required by the official recovery sequence and can create additional access or security problems.

If no supported password or PIN recovery method works:

1. From the sign-in screen, hold Shift and select Power → Restart.
2. Select Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.
3. Choose Keep my files to preserve personal files while removing installed applications and settings, or Remove everything for a complete reset.
4. Have the BitLocker recovery key available if device encryption is enabled.
5. Do not interrupt the computer while the reset is running. ^5^

References

1. Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows | Microsoft Support
2. how to fix your pin is required to sign in - pin not set up, won't accept password or fingerprint - Microsoft Q&A
3. Change or reset your PIN in Windows | Microsoft Support
4. Change or reset your local account password in Windows | Microsoft Support
5. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/backup-recovery/reset-your-pc#reset-steps)