Try these steps in order on the Surface Pro:
- Restart the device.
- On many Windows sign-in issues, a restart can clear temporary errors.
- If updates are pending, use Update and restart if that option appears.
- Make sure the Surface is connected to the internet from the lock screen.
- On the sign-in screen, select the Network icon and confirm Wi‑Fi is connected.
- If possible, use a stronger connection.
- If Windows Hello is failing, sign in with a PIN or password instead.
- If face or fingerprint recognition does not work, use another sign-in method and then set up Windows Hello again.
- If the device says it could not recognize the face, go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello Face > Improve recognition after signing in.
- Check for Surface updates after access is restored.
- Open the Surface app.
- Expand Help & support.
- Select Check for updates to open Windows Update and install available updates.
- If fingerprint sign-in is the problem, remove and set it up again.
- Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello) > Remove.
- Then select Set up.
- If the PIN also does not work, reset it.
- Sign in with the password.
- Then go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello) and select I forgot my PIN.
- If sign-in still fails, start in Safe Mode and test sign-in there.
- On the sign-in screen, hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After restart, select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
- In Safe Mode, only password sign-in is available, not PIN or biometrics.
- If the issue is with the Microsoft account itself, use the Microsoft account sign-in helper.
- It checks common account sign-in problems and guides recovery steps.
If the message about the system failing to upload is actually appearing in OneDrive or a Microsoft 365 app rather than the Windows sign-in screen, that can happen when the signed-in account does not have permission to upload files. In that case, resetting the Windows settings app account connection, clearing old OneDrive credentials, or reinstalling OneDrive can resolve it.
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/surface/setup/troubleshoot-problems-with-windows-hello-on-surface)
- Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows | Microsoft Support
- Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows | Microsoft Support
- I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
- Fix problems uploading files on the OneDrive website | Microsoft Support