Windows 10: Windows 11 disaster. Can't enter PIN, locked in safe mode and BSOD prevents many solutions

Hi. I recently got a Lenovo Ideapad 3 laptotp with Windows 11 and got myself in a frustrating situation. I'll start by saying that I logged with my microsoft account and I set up a PIN in order to log into my user account. Then I installed something that modified the file explorer. Next I installed some Windows 11 updates. Next thing I know the file explorer is flashing, preventing me from even accesing the Control Panel to uninstall the program I installed. So, in order to be able to do that, I set Windows to start in Safe Mode Without network and restarted my machine, only to find out that

:)

 

Windows 11 Safe Mode PIN Failure

I've a new Asus ProArt Studiobook and need to put the laptop into SafeMode to fix Windows Defender issue (thread here if of interest). I'm running the latest version of Windows 11 (23H2). I was attempting to boot into safe mode. At the login screen, I receive the following error "Something happened and your PIN isn't available. Click to set up your PIN again."

Troubleshooting steps so far

1. I've repeated this with the laptop LAN connected, WiFi connected, Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Network. still unable to login to my laptop via safe mode.
   
2. I've also reinstalled Windows 11 using this guide, following the Reinstall Windows 11 using installation media Keep Everything steps... I didn't fancy reinstalling all my apps. still unable to login to my laptop via safe mode.
   

Other than sending my laptop back under RMA or do a fresh rebuild, I'm out of options. Any ideas?

 

can not enter lock screen PIN

Hello,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

As per description, you are unable to enter PIN on lock screen.

I would appreciate if you can provide us the following information to help us understand the issue better:

• Are you able to enter password to login?

I would suggest you to follow the steps given below and check.

Step1: Boot your system in safe mode.

Refer:

Start your PC in safe mode in
Windows 10

If you are able to boot into safe mode update display drivers.

Step 2:
Update display drivers.



a. Press Windows + X, Click
Device Manager.

b. Expand Display
Adapters.

c. Check if the name of the graphic card is the list.

d. Right click on the Display Adapter’s name and click
Update.

e. You may reinstall the drivers from Computer Manufacturer’s website.

Hope this information helps. Please let us know if you need any other assistance with Windows in future. We will be happy to assist you.

 

PIN not working in Safe mode

Hello,

Windows 10 may have encountered a corruption that caused your machine not to recognize your pin. For us to better assist you, kindly answer the following questions:

• Have you made any recent changes to your computer prior to this issue?
• Is this also happening even if you're not on Safe mode?
• Are you getting an error message whenever you enter your pin?

Meanwhile, if you're able to log into your computer if you're not in Safe mode, we recommend that you visit this

link. From there, you'll see a thread with a similar issue, kindly see the reply of
Kapil Arya MVP and follow the steps on his reply.

We'll be waiting for your response.