How to Fix If You Can’t Add PIN Windows 10/11? [5 Ways]

Many users complain that they can’t add PIN Windows 10. It’s so annoying that Windows 10 can’t add PIN, but don’t be alarmed. This post of MiniTool explores 5 proven ways to fix the issue.

Microsoft offers Windows 10/11 users an easy way to log in to their system through a simple four-digit code. Sometimes, however, some users report that Windows 10 cannot add PIN. According to a survey, this issue can be caused by broken system files associated with the Profile menu.

In addition, other factors like corrupt NGC folder, disabled credentials manager services, and improper settings are also responsible for the problem. Don’t worry. Here we summarize several proven fixes after investigating extensive posts. Let’s start trying.

# 1. Reset the NGC Folder

As you might know, the NGC folder in Windows 10/11 holds all the built-in security protocols. If the contents of this folder get broken or corrupted, it can lead to Windows 10 cannot add PIN. In this case, you can follow the guide below to reset the folder.

Step 1. Type cmd in the Search box, and then right-click the Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. In the elevated Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter.

icacls C:WindowsServiceProfilesLocalServiceAppDataLocalMicrosoftNgc /T /Q /C /RESET

If you still can’t add PIN Windows 10 after resetting the NGC folder, move down to the next way.

# 2. Delete the NGC Folder

Deleting the NGC folder can help you clean up the damaged contents and solve the “Windows 10 can’t add PIN” issue. If resetting the folder doesn’t work, try this solution.

Step 1. Press Win + E keys to open the Windows File Explorer, and then navigate to the following directory.

C:WindowsServiceProfilesLocalServiceAppDataLocalMicrosoft

Note: If you can’t access this folder, you can refer to this guide to take ownership of the folder.

Step 2. Open the Ngc folder inside the Microsoft folder and delete all content of the Ngc folder.

delete the Ngc folder

Step 3. Press Win + I keys to open the Settings window and select Accounts.

Step 4. Select Sign-in options from the left panel, and then go to the Windows Hello PIN section from the right side and click on Add.

click Add under Windows Hello PIN

Step 5. In the pop-up window, you can add a new PIN according to the on-screen instructions. This can reset all the corrupt files inside the Ngc folder and help fix the “Windows 10 cannot add PIN” issue.

create a PIN

# 3. Restart the Credentials Manager and CNG key Isolation Services

Sometimes you can’t add PIN to Windows 10/11 just because the related services are not working properly. In this case, you can try restarting the Credentials Manager and CNG Isolation services.

Step 1. Press Win + R keys to open the Run box, and then type services.msc in it and hit Enter.

Step 2. In the Services window, double click the Credential Manager service to open its properties.

double click Credential Manager

Step 3. Select Automatic from the Startup type drop-down menu and click on Apply and then OK to save the change. Then repeat the same procedure to the CNG Key Isolation service.

change the Startup type of Credential Manager to automatic

Once down, check if you still can’t create PIN Windows 10. If so, try the following methods.

# 4. Adjust the NGC in Registry Editor

This workaround is to adjust the NGC entry key in Registry Editor. It has been proven by some people to be useful. You may have a try.

Note: The Registry Editor is a powerful Windows built-in tool, and improper operation could lead to your system being unstable or even inoperable. So, we highly recommend you back up the Registry in case anything goes wrong.

Step 1. Open the Run box, and then type regedit in it and hit Enter.

Step 2. In the Registry Editor window, go to the following path via the left navigation bar:

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionAuthenticationLogonUITestHooks

Step 3. With the TestHooks folder selected in the left pane, double click the DWORD entry named Threshold. If not here, right-click the empty space on the right panel and select New > DWORD (32-bit), then name it Threshold.

create a DWORD 32 bit value

Step 4. Change the Value data of Threshold to 0 and click on OK to save the change.

change Threshold value data to 0

Step 5. Delete the Ngc folder just like we explain in # 2. After that, restart your system and see if you cannot add PIN Windows 10.

# 5. Run an SFC Scan

If you still can’t add PIN Windows 10 after trying the above methods, some system files of your machine may be missing or corrupted. In this case, you can try running an SFC or DISM scan to repair them.

Step 1. Type cmd in the search box, and then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator option.

Step 2. Type the sfc /scannow command in the elevated command prompt and hit Enter. After that, the SFC tool will scan and try to repair the corrupted system files automatically.

run an SFC scan

Step 3. If no corrupted system files were found, you can try running the DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth and DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth commands.

Once done, restart your PC and check if the “can’t add PIN to Windows 10” issue gets solved.

About The Author

Ariel Follow Us

Position: Columnist

Ariel has been working as a highly professional computer-relevant technology editor at MiniTool for many years. She has a strong passion for researching all knowledge related to the computer's disk, partition, and Windows OS. Up till now, she has finished thousands of articles covering a broad range of topics and helped lots of users fix various problems. She focuses on the fields of disk management, OS backup, and PDF editing and provides her readers with insightful and informative content.