Account recovery

Welcome Ruki,

Thanks for posting on Microsoft Q&A, and sorry you're locked out after the BIOS update. That's frustrating, especially when the email you used is no longer available.

To help me narrow this down, could you tell me:

• Is the email you signed up with an Outlook.com or Hotmail address, or another provider such as Gmail? Do you still remember the password for it?
• What exactly does the sign-in screen say? For example, "Something happened and your PIN isn't available," or something else?
• Did you turn on two-step verification for this account?

Meanwhile, please try these steps:

Step 1: Sign in with your password instead of the PIN

• On the sign-in screen, click "Sign-in options" below the PIN box.
• Choose the key icon (Password).
• Enter the password for the Microsoft account you set up the laptop with, and make sure the laptop is connected to the internet.

If this works, you can set up a new PIN afterwards in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello)

Step 2: Turn the security chip back on in the BIOS BIOS updates sometimes switch this chip off, which makes Windows ask for a new PIN.

• Restart the laptop and press the BIOS key while it starts up. This is usually F2, F10, Del or Esc, depending on the manufacturer
• Look under Security or Advanced for TPM, Intel PTT or AMD fTPM and set it to Enabled
• Make sure Secure Boot is Enabled too
• Choose "Save & Exit", restart, and try your old PIN again

Step 3: Check on your recovery form The form's reply goes to the contact email you gave on the form, not to the email you lost access to. Microsoft will review your answers and respond within 24 hours. Please check that inbox, including the "Junk" or "Spam" folder. If the reply hasn't come or your request was turned down, you can fill in the form again. Tips that improve your chances

Looking forward to your update.