I remember the first time I encountered the “Something Happened or Something Went Wrong PIN Isn’t Available” error on my Windows 11 computer. It was one of those frustrating moments when you need to get something done quickly, but instead, you’re stuck with an issue that seems to have no immediate solution. As a person who relies heavily on technology for both work and personal tasks, this issue was particularly annoying. I decided to tackle it head-on, and through a combination of trial and error, online research, and some patience, I managed to resolve it. Here’s a detailed account of how I fixed the problem.Initially, when I tried to sign into my Windows 11 account, I was greeted with the error message that my PIN wasn’t available. This wasn’t the first time I’d encountered such issues, but it was the first time with Windows 11, which added an extra layer of confusion. I attempted to restart my computer, hoping it was just a temporary glitch, but the error persisted. I knew I had to take more concrete steps to address it.The first thing I did was check my internet connection. I’ve learned that sometimes, issues with authentication can stem from a weak or unstable connection. I verified that my Wi-Fi was working fine and that other devices in my network had no issues. The internet connection wasn’t the problem, so I moved on to other potential causes.Next, I tried to troubleshoot the issue using the Windows 11 built-in troubleshooting tools. I navigated to Settings, then to Update & Security, and clicked on Troubleshoot. There, I found the option for Additional troubleshooters and selected “Windows Store Apps” because I suspected that some application issues might be related. Running the troubleshooter didn’t yield immediate results, but it was a step in the right direction.After that, I decided to reset my PIN. To do this, I went to Settings, then Accounts, and then Sign-in options. I clicked on “PIN (Windows Hello)” and selected “Remove.” Windows asked me to confirm my account password, which I did. Once the PIN was removed, I rebooted my computer and tried to set up a new PIN. However, I ran into the same error when attempting to set up a new PIN. It was clear that simply removing and re-adding the PIN wasn’t going to fix the issue on its own.Frustrated but determined, I searched online for more specific solutions. I came across various forums and articles where others had encountered similar problems. One solution that stood out was to ensure that all Windows updates were installed. I went back to Settings, selected Windows Update, and checked for updates. Sure enough, there were a few pending updates that I hadn’t installed yet. I proceeded with the updates and restarted my computer. Sometimes, issues like these can be resolved by simply making sure your system is up to date, so I was hopeful this would fix the problem.With the updates installed and my computer restarted, I tried setting up the PIN again. To my disappointment, the error persisted. I realized I might need to delve deeper into more advanced troubleshooting methods. I turned to another common fix: checking and repairing system files. I opened Command Prompt as an administrator and used the System File Checker tool by typing “sfc /scannow” and pressing Enter. This command scans for and repairs corrupted system files that could be causing issues. The scan completed without finding any problems, but it was worth trying.At this point, I knew I needed to consider other possibilities. One recommendation I came across was to check the Windows Hello service. I accessed the Services app by typing “services.msc” into the Start menu search and pressed Enter. I found the “Windows Hello Face Service” and “Windows Hello Biometric Service” and ensured they were running. If these services are not running, it can sometimes cause issues with PIN authentication.I verified that both services were indeed running. As a final measure, I decided to create a new user account to see if the issue was isolated to my current account. I went to Settings, then Accounts, and selected “Family & other users.” I added a new user account and logged in with it. To my relief, the new account didn’t have the PIN issue. This suggested that the problem was specific to my original account.To resolve the issue permanently, I decided to back up my data from the problematic account and transfer it to the new account. This was a bit time-consuming, but it allowed me to continue working without the constant frustration of the PIN issue. Once I had everything set up in the new account, I felt a sense of accomplishment.In retrospect, resolving the “Something Happened or Something Went Wrong PIN Isn’t Available” error on Windows 11 was a process of elimination and persistence. By methodically addressing each potential cause and applying various troubleshooting methods, I was able to find a solution that worked for me. If I ever encounter a similar issue again, I’ll be more prepared to tackle it efficiently. For anyone else dealing with this problem, I hope sharing my experience provides some guidance and reassurance.
Something Happened or Something Went Wrong PIN Isn’t Available Windows 11 FIX
