Cannot Change Fingerprint or PIN in Windows 11? Try these fixes

Windows 11 is still in the preview stage, so issues are to be expected until Microsoft slowly gets to the point where the OS is stable enough to justify an actual release. Unfortunately for early adopters, there’s one ongoing issue that prevents them from changing the fingerprint or PIN from their Windows 11 computer.

When going into the Sign-in Options and attempting to change or disable the Fingerprint recognition or PIN (Windows Hello) some early Windows 11 adopters are discovering that the options are unavailable.

After investigating this particular issue, it turns out that there are several underlying culprits that might be responsible for this Windows 11 issue. Here’s a shortlist of potential scenarios that might be producing this behavior:

Now that you are familiar with every potential cause of this issue, let’s go over some of the fixes that other affected users have successfully used to get to the bottom of this issue:

Change the PIN or Fingerprint conventionally

If you’re going into this with the purpose of removing the fingerprint or PIN without having any fallback option, understand that this won’t be possible.

Windows 11 makes it mandatory to have at least one Sign-in option set up – the Remove button will be greyed out as long as you have only one Sign-in Option enabled.

For example, the Remove button associated with Remove this sign-in option for a PIN will remain greyed out until you configure a different sign-in option (Facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, or security key).

So if you wish to get rid of your PIN or fingerprint, you will need an additional way to sign in.

Follow the instructions below for a step-by-step guide on setting up a different sign-in option and getting rid of your current one:

1. Press Windows key + I to open up the Settings menu of Windows 11.
2. Once you’re inside the Settings menu, click (or tap) on Accounts from the vertical menu on the left.

   

   Note: If the vertical menu is hidden by default, click on the action button (top-left corner) to make the menu visible.

3. Once you’re inside the Accounts menu, move over to the right-hand section of the screen and click on Sign-in Options.

   

4. Next, once you’re inside the Sign-in Options menu, decide on the fallback sign-in option that you wish to use.

   

   Note: Your option depends on which sign-in option you’re currently using for Windows 11. Unless your PC supports facial recognition or you have access to a security key, you can really only switch between PIN and Fingerprint recognition

5. Once you’ve decided on the route you wish to take, go ahead and set up the secondary Sign-in option by following the on-screen instructions.
6. After the second sign-in option is successfully set up, you should be able to press on the Remove button in order to get rid of the sign-in option. Additionally, you can click on Change PIN (or Change Fingerprint) to modify your current PIN or fingerprint.

   

If this method didn’t work in your case or you’re looking for a method that will help you remove both the PIN or Fingerprint, follow the next method below.

Remove the PIN or Fingerprint requirement by using a local account

If the resolution brought about by the method above was not satisfactory to you, the only method that will allow you to get rid of every sign-in option is to migrate over to a local account.

We don’t recommend going this route since it will hinder the functionality of some build-in components (like Windows Update and Microsoft Store).

But if you’re really keen on getting rid of your PIN or Fingerprint, you’ll need to configure a local account and set up a password instead. This will be done from the Settings menu, but keep in mind that you need to let go of your current Microsoft account.

Important: This method is not an option for you if you’re part of the insider program.

In case you’re looking for step by step instructions on changing the Windows 11 Hello Pin or fingerprint to a local password, follow the instructions below:

1. Press Windows + I to open up the Settings menu on Windows 11.
2. Once you’re inside the Settings menu of Windows 11, click on Accounts from the vertical menu on the left.

   

   Note: If the vertical menu on the left is not visible by default, click on the action icon (top-left corner of the screen).

3. Once you’re inside the Accounts menu, move over to the right-hand side section and click on Family & other users.
   

   

4. Once you’re inside the Family & other users tab, check if you have any accounts under Other users. If you have any, remove any of them before moving to the next potential fix below.
5. Next, return to the root Accounts menu, then click on Your info from the right-hand section of the screen.

   

6. Once you’re inside the Your info tab, scroll down to the Account Settings menu and click on Sign in with a local account instead.
   

   

7. Once you get to the first screen, click on Next (bottom-right section of the screen).
8. At the next prompt, you will be asked to provide the PIN (or fingerprint) that’s currently tied to your Microsoft account. Do so as instructed.

   

9. Once you get to the next screen, enter your username, then provide a password for your local account and set up a password hit to serve as the recovery option in case you ever forget it.

   

10. Finally, make the switching to a local account permanent by clicking on the Sign out and finish button.

Upon making this change permanent, you will no longer be required to provide a PIN or fingerprint sign-in. Problem solved.