Fix Windows Hello Pin This Option is Currently Unavailable

Getting locked out of your Windows Hello PIN can be frustrating, especially when you rely on it every day to quickly sign in to your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC. Many users suddenly see the error message “This option is currently unavailable” while trying to create, change, or use a Windows Hello PIN. In some cases, the PIN sign-in option becomes grayed out, while in others, the system keeps asking for a password instead of allowing PIN access.

In this guide, you will learn multiple working solutions to fix the Windows Hello PIN This Option is Currently Unavailable error on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Table of Contents

Why Does Windows Hello PIN Become Unavailable?

Windows Hello PIN relies on several security components working together. If one of them fails, Windows may disable the PIN option.

Common causes include:

Corrupted Windows Hello files
Damaged NGC folder
Disabled TPM chip
Outdated Windows updates
Incorrect account synchronization
Broken system files
Disabled biometric or credential services
Microsoft account verification issues
Security policy conflicts
Temporary Windows glitches

Now let’s go through the best solutions one by one.

Fix Windows Hello PIN: This Option is Currently Unavailable

To fix the Windows Hello PIN This Option is Currently Unavailable error in Windows 11 or Windows 10, restart your PC and make sure you are connected to the internet. Then, remove the existing PIN from the Sign in options menu and create a new one. If the problem continues, clear the NGC folder, enable TPM from BIOS, update Windows, and repair corrupted system files using the SFC and DISM commands. You can also re-add your Microsoft account or enable Windows Hello services to restore PIN functionality.

Let’s explore in detail!

Step 1: Restart Your Windows PC

The first thing you should do is restart your computer. While this may sound basic, temporary glitches in Windows services often cause the PIN option to stop working properly.

Click the Start Menu, select the Power icon, and choose Restart. Once the PC boots again, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and check whether the Windows Hello PIN option becomes available.

Windows sometimes fails to load security services correctly after updates or sleep mode. A fresh restart reloads all authentication components and may instantly fix the issue.

If the PIN option still says unavailable, move to the next method.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Internet Connection Is Working

Many users do not realize that Windows Hello PIN setup sometimes requires an active internet connection, especially when using a Microsoft account.

Connect your PC to a stable Wi Fi or Ethernet network. After connecting, open the Settings app and head to Accounts. Verify that your Microsoft account is properly synced.

If your internet connection is unstable, Windows may fail to authenticate your credentials, preventing PIN setup or recovery.

You can also sign out of your Microsoft account and sign back in. This refreshes account synchronization and often restores the Windows Hello feature.

Step 3: Remove and Recreate the Windows Hello PIN

One of the most effective fixes is removing the old PIN and creating a new one.

Open Settings and go to Accounts > Sign-in options. Under the PIN (Windows Hello) section, click Remove. Enter your Microsoft account password to confirm the removal.

After deleting the PIN, restart your computer. Return to the same menu and click Set up to create a new PIN.

Choose a strong but memorable PIN and complete the verification process.

If the old PIN data became corrupted, recreating it replaces damaged authentication files and restores normal functionality.

In many cases, this solution fixes the “This option is currently unavailable” message immediately.

Step 4: Delete the NGC Folder

The NGC folder stores Windows Hello PIN information. If the folder becomes corrupted, Windows can no longer validate your PIN settings properly.

Deleting the folder forces Windows to generate fresh PIN data.

Open File Explorer and navigate to:

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft

You may need to enable Hidden items from the View menu to see all folders.

Locate the NGC folder. If you cannot access it, right-click the folder and select Properties. Open the Security tab and take ownership of the folder using your administrator account.

Once access is granted, delete all contents inside the NGC folder.

Restart your PC afterward.

Now go back to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and create a new PIN.

This method works extremely well when Windows Hello data becomes damaged after updates or failed sign-in attempts.

Step 5: Enable TPM in BIOS

Windows Hello heavily depends on the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for secure authentication. If TPM is disabled, PIN sign-in may stop working completely.

To check TPM status, press Windows + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter.

If you see a message saying TPM is unavailable or disabled, you need to enable it from the BIOS.

Restart your PC and enter BIOS or UEFI settings. The key varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer, but common keys include F2, Delete, Esc, or F10.

Inside BIOS, look for options such as:

TPM
Intel PTT
AMD fTPM
Security Device Support

Enable the feature and save the changes.

After rebooting into Windows, try setting up your PIN again.

Modern Windows security features rely on TPM for encryption and authentication, so enabling it often resolves Windows Hello problems instantly.

Step 6: Run the SFC and DISM Commands

Corrupted system files can also break Windows Hello functionality. Windows includes built-in repair tools that can scan and fix damaged files automatically.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

Wait for the scan to complete. After that, run these DISM commands one by one:

DISM /Online /Cleanup Image /RestoreHealth

The System File Checker repairs missing or corrupted Windows files, while DISM repairs the Windows image itself.

Once both scans finish, restart your PC and test the PIN feature again.

This method is particularly useful if the issue started after a failed Windows update or an unexpected shutdown.

Step 7: Update Windows 11 or Windows 10

Outdated Windows versions often contain bugs affecting authentication systems.

Open Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.

Download and install all pending updates, including optional security updates.

Microsoft regularly releases patches that fix Windows Hello bugs, TPM compatibility issues, and credential problems.

After updating, restart your computer and check if the PIN option works normally again.

Keeping Windows fully updated also improves system security and overall stability.

Step 8: Enable Microsoft Account Sign-In Assistant Service

Certain Windows services are required for account authentication and PIN management.

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter. Locate the following services:

Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant
Credential Manager
Windows Biometric Service

Double-click each service and set the Startup type to Automatic. If any service is stopped, click Start.

Apply the changes and restart your PC.

Disabled authentication services can prevent Windows Hello from initializing correctly during login.

Step 9: Remove Work or School Accounts

Sometimes, connected work or school accounts interfere with Windows Hello settings.

Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.

If you see any connected organization accounts that you no longer use, disconnect them.

Restart your computer afterward.

Corporate security policies can override local sign-in settings, causing the PIN option to become unavailable.

Removing unnecessary linked accounts may instantly fix the problem.

Step 10: Switch to a Local Account and Back

If your Microsoft account synchronization is damaged, switching account types can refresh Windows credentials.

Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info.

Click Sign in with a local account instead and follow the setup instructions.

Restart your PC after switching.

Then go back to the same menu and reconnect your Microsoft account.

This process rebuilds authentication settings and often fixes broken PIN configurations.

After reconnecting your account, try creating a new Windows Hello PIN.

Step 11: Reset Windows Hello Using Group Policy

Some system policies may accidentally disable Windows Hello PIN sign-in.

Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon

Locate the policy named Turn on convenience PIN sign-in. Double-click it and set it to Enabled.

Apply the changes and restart your PC.

This solution mainly applies to Windows Pro and Enterprise editions.

If the policy was disabled, Windows could block PIN authentication completely.

Step 12: Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party software can sometimes conflict with Windows Hello services.

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter. Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all.

Go to the Startup tab and open Task Manager. Disable unnecessary startup applications.

Restart your PC.

Now check if the PIN issue disappears.

If Windows Hello starts working, one of your installed applications is likely causing the conflict.

You can re-enable services one by one to identify the problematic software.

Step 13: Reset Your PC as a Last Resort

If none of the solutions work, resetting Windows may be necessary.

Open Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset this PC.

Choose the option to keep your personal files if you do not want to lose data.

A reset reinstalls Windows system components while removing corrupted settings that may be preventing Windows Hello from functioning correctly.

This should only be used after trying all previous fixes.

FAQs

Why does Windows Hello PIN say this option is currently unavailable?

This error usually appears because of corrupted PIN files, TPM issues, outdated Windows updates, account synchronization problems, or damaged system files.

Can I fix the Windows Hello PIN issue without deleting files?

Yes. Most methods in this guide do not remove personal data. Solutions like restarting services, recreating the PIN, updating Windows, or repairing system files are completely safe.

What is the NGC folder in Windows?

The NGC folder stores Windows Hello PIN information and authentication data. If the folder becomes corrupted, PIN sign-in may stop working.

Is TPM required for Windows Hello?

Yes. TPM provides hardware-level security for Windows Hello authentication. If TPM is disabled, PIN sign-in may not function properly.

Will resetting Windows remove my files?

If you choose the Keep my files option during reset, your personal documents and files remain safe. However, installed apps and settings may be removed.

Can Windows updates cause PIN issues?

Yes. Some Windows updates may temporarily break authentication services or corrupt Windows Hello data, leading to PIN-related errors.