Windows 11 24H2 safe mode error or is it just me? "The PIN is not available"

Posted by Practical_Vehicle133@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 36 comments

I was testing different versions of Windows 11, and the only one giving me this issue is the new 24H2 version. The problem occurs when you have a Microsoft account linked to the device, which requires a password or PIN to log in. When starting in Safe Mode, an error appears saying "The PIN is not available."

I tried removing the PIN and using only the Microsoft account password, but when I click the option to set up a PIN, the window closes immediately, as if the necessary services aren’t running in Safe Mode. This causes the device to be locked, and the only way I’ve found to fix it is by disabling Safe Mode through the cmd, which could be a significant issue for the average user

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One_Da_Bread@reddit

Remember when Windows just worked? I've NEVER in my 20+ years of building PCs have had as many problems as this year. Windows is trash. AMD drivers are.. trash.

I built a $4,000 PC that does nothing but hard freeze in games, or crash or driver timeout. I'm never buying AMD again.

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destino8k@reddit

Siempre puedes instalar Linux Mint, que no falla nada... XD

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KoolAidGuy_541@reddit

Just in-case, if people want to get out of safe mode, you can go into the command prompt from the advance options menu and just type the command bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

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Aristotle_the_lazy@reddit

Help: I was unable to find safe mode option in recovery environment so I chose to do it with msconfig and restarted in safe boot. Now I am not able to enter pin nor get out of safe boot. What to do.

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DiksonHK@reddit

I am having the same problem, later I find out that I can set "only use windows hello to sign in" to off in sign in settings and use the password to sign in instead.

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Wagnard@reddit

For information for those who use DDU, You can use DDU in normal mode too. The procedure is just a little different.
For ti to be as effective as in SafeMode, you must do it twice.

Clean and restart.

then Another clean and restart. It should be as efficient as in safemode.

For the PIN issuem it is of course a microsoft issue as even without using DDU (manually go into safemode), it may ask for the PIN change

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filitsino@reddit

What is this new version ?

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Wagnard@reddit

18.0.8.4

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khaledsallam2@reddit

under Accounts> sign-in options
Additional settings
turn off only allow windows hello sign-in
now you have both pin and password option and you can enter safe mode with password

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Milk_Cream_Sweet_Pig@reddit

There's no Additional Options on my side

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Trianonn@reddit

I wanted to try your solution but when I click the "Sign-in option" button, the whole settings app freezes LOL. I really do not know how to fix this issue...

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Anaksy@reddit

Thanks, it worked! But is so odd that we now have to resort to this to open safe mode.

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Anaksy@reddit

Unfortunately it does not work. Indeed, it shows the option in safe mode to put the password. But then it says the password is incorrect.

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SnooComics1500@reddit

Same here, also windows update keeps corrupting my GPU drivers with outdated drivers, this didn't happen on 23H2.

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Remarkable-Double174@reddit

What worked for me was creating a windows installation stick, booting from that and then using cmd to disable safe mode and then obviously switching back to my regular boot ssd

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s1laz@reddit

Im having this exact issue and cant get my PC to boot normally again and I dont want to have to reinstall windows. Is there a way to turn off the safe mode boot so windows will boot normally?

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KingMirage1337@reddit

Still having the same issue after a clean Windows 11 Pro install...

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SituationFunny9482@reddit

I got the same issue, too, with the new x870e motherboard. On top of that, the password input became faulty, whether with the network or not. Always give the wrong password input. Had to reinstall w11 24h2 3 times of that. I can't even do ddu.

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Anaksy@reddit

Same issue.

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naldree@reddit

Came looking for solution after fresh install 24H2 and trying to access safe mode to use DDU, and I guess I’m not the only one having this problem. I even did a second reinstall, and problem still persist. Looks like something wrong with this version of Windows, probably will need to be patched.

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Anaksy@reddit

You are not alone my friend. I have the same issue. After a clean install of 24H2 I can't access safe mode. It is always showing this "PIN" issue.

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KINGDAVID1982@reddit

This just happened to me trying to go into safe mode to install drivers, Man how do you fix it after a fresh install so that this dosent happen again this is horrible....

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CI7Y2IS@reddit

I thought I corrupted so bad de bloating 24h2 but no, I also have this ridiculous problem.

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VinumNoctua@reddit

Same issue here.

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HumbertoFreitas@reddit

The partial solution to this problem is to remove the PIN, boot the system into safe mode, enter the email password, restart the machine to normal mode and then set the PIN again. This way, every time you enter safe mode, you will also have the option to enter the password.

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Conscious_Produce_13@reddit

Me llevo 2 reinstaladas de windows, para venir ver esta solución. Me ayudó. Gracias!.

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fallengt@reddit

I fixed it by restarting into troubleshooting & command prompt, enable windows administrator account with cmd. Login with it then create a new account from there. Remember to also create a login password along with PIN. So if it happens again, you still can login with password.

My old account is still soft-locked because it only has Pin as login option and it is not working. Have to wait until Microsoft patch it.

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Neylin_Savouret@reddit

Been having the same issue with this version, any solutions ?

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Malathier@reddit

Also having this issue. If someone finds a fix, I would love to hear it. I need to get into safe mode to use DDU to properly get AMD GPU drivers to install. At the moment when attempting to install AMD Adrenaline it gets to the end, then gives an error and only way to get it to install seems to be blowing away apparent bad drivers windows installs.

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No-Week1521@reddit

Antoine finde a solution

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BobcatEuphoric@reddit

Same issue with me.

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MajesticAlbatross864@reddit

Are you trying in safe mode with networking? As I’d imagine with pin / MS account it would need to be able to connect to MS to verify the pin?

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Practical_Vehicle133@reddit (OP)

Hi! I also tested it in safe mode with networking and connected via Ethernet, after installing the drivers from the official website and confirming the connection was working correctly. Upon restarting, the issue repeats: 'The PIN is not available' appears, and it won’t let me proceed. The network icon shows it's connected

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