Fix: Windows 11 Keeps Asking to Setup a Windows Hello Pin
Some Windows users are reporting an annoying bug where Windows keeps telling them to set up a pin despite them already having set It up. Reportedly this is prominently affecting users who had already set up their windows hello pin before installing Windows 11 build 21H2.
After a thorough investigation, we have discovered that the problem is a glitch. Meaning that the PIN isn’t relaying to the Settings app from where Windows Defender UI picks up the current Settings. Luckily there are a couple of fixes written below which you can try to hopefully fix this problem.
Sign in with a Local Account
After some investigation, it appears that users experiencing this issue are logged into a Microsoft account and not their local account. During the initial setup of a new computer, it’s really easy to miss the step to create a local account. To switch to a local account follow the steps below:
- Open the Settings app.
Open the Windows Settings app. - Navigate to accounts on the left and click on your info.
Navigate to Your info within settings. - Here, under account settings click on sign in with a local account instead.
Sign in with a local account instead. - Afterward, enter your pin and in the newly opened window enter the details and create your local account.
Create a New Local account. - Next click Sign out and finish. This will restart your device so ensure that you have saved all your work before proceeding.
Save your work then click sign out and finish.
This should stop Windows from asking you to set up a pin, However, if this fix doesn’t work or you instead want to login via a Microsoft account then move on to the next fix.
Delete Contents of the Ngc Folder
To put it simply the Ngc folder is used to store all Pin-related information on Windows 11. Hence any corrupted files in the Ngc folder can lead to a plethora of issues and glitches. In fact, it’s possible that this may be the reason behind Windows constantly asking users to set up a pin despite it already being done. To delete the contents of the Ngc folder follow the steps below:
Note: The Ngc folder won’t be created unless you have created a local account on Windows 11.
- Open file explorer, type in the following command listed below into the address bar, and hit enter.
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft
Navigate to the afforementioned folder. - Since we need privileges to open the folder Right-click on the Ngc folder and choose Properties from the menu that appears.
Open Ngc folders properties. - After that click on the security tab then on the bottom left click on Advanced.
Navigate to advanced settings under the security tab. - From there, click on Change next to the Owner Section located at the top left.
Click on change to change Folder Owner. - Afterward, you need to type the user name of your account that has admin privileges in the “Enter the object name to select enter” field at the bottom. After typing your user name click on Check Names, This will find your account name after which you need to click on ok.
Select your user account that has Admin Privs. - Now under Owners check the check box to “Replaceowneronsubcontainersandobjects”.
Replace the owner of the folder. - This procedure will allow us to enter the Ngc Folder. After opening the folder simply delete all the files and folders.
This Method may prompt you to set up your pin once again hopefully for the last time. However, if the error persists after this, there is another fix you can try below.
Reset Window Settings App
If the problem isn’t due to corrupted files in the Ngc folder it could be due to certain corrupted files in the settings app which could consequently lead to Windows constantly asking users to set up a pin despite already having done so. The best way to fix issues with the settings app would be to reset it which can be done via Windows PowerShell or app settings.
Reset the settings app using PowerShell
In order to reset the settings app using PowerShell follow the steps below:
- Press the Windows key, search PowerShell and click on run as administrator.
Run Powershell as Administrator. - After opening PowerShell enter the following command and hit enter.
Run listed command in PowerShell. Get-AppxPackage windows.immersivecontrolpanel | Reset-AppxPackage
- Let the process finish then close Powershell.
Reset the Settings app using App Settings.
- Press the Windows key, search for settings then right-click and select App settings.
Open the Settings app’s, app settings. - Now scroll down and click on Reset. When the confirmation prompt opens click on reset again to reset the settings app.
Reset the settings app.
After completing the steps the settings app will reset app data hopefully stopping windows hello from asking you to set up a pin. However, if this doesn’t work for you move on to the next fix.
Perform a Repair Install
If all else fails as a last resort effort you can perform a repair install which can fix many issues including UI-related issues such as windows asking users to set up a pin despite one already being set up.
Performing a Repair Install of Windows 11 is fairly simple and can be done through the settings app. What’s even better is that performing a repair install allows you to keep your personal data in place eliminating the need for creating backups.
This procedure will completely repair and replace any missing or corrupted files which should definitely resolve the issue and windows shouldn’t ask you to set up a pin anymore.
