Question Windows is stuck in a loading loop and locked out of account ?

[JaxAgain]

So my dad's old PC is stuck in a sort of startup loop where basic Windows background processes load for about ten seconds, the screen goes blank, then restarts all the background processes again — so Windows never fully loads. I can open task manager, but even opening things like the command prompt is temporary. Easy solution: Windows repair.

Problem: he always signed in using his PIN. His old passwords don't work. I managed to change the password online, but it won't "register" with the computer. So it's impossible for me to login and access Windows repair options.

Any suggestions?

 

[Ralston18]

Based on the context of your post you/your Dad no longer remember the PIN - is that correct?

What error message(s) are being presented when the changed password fails to "register".

Have you and your Dad contacted Microsoft?

If not, why not?

 

[JaxAgain]

Based on the context of your post you/your Dad no longer remember the PIN - is that correct?

What error message(s) are being presented when the changed password fails to "register".

Have you and your Dad contacted Microsoft?

If not, why not?

Clarification: he does know his Windows PIN, which is how he logs on. So I can log into Windows no problem.

The problem is that to access Windows repair and other recovery options to deal with this infinite loop Windows loading issue, a Windows PIN is insufficient. Windows requires you to enter your account *password*, and therein lies the problem. Because we are able to reset the account password online, but the current PC is *stuck* on the *old* password.

 

[Ralston18]

Have you contacted Microsoft?

 

[JaxAgain]

Have you contacted Microsoft?

I called their helpline, was sent to an automated system for password help, but that doesn't help because I *can* reset the password, it just doesn't register with the computer. And re-dialing now automatically sends me to their password help and I can't seem to speak to anyone.

 

[Ralston18]

So Windows will boot via the PIN - correct?

What procedure or process are you using to do the reset?

When the password reset fails to "register with the computer" what error message, pop-up, or other notification is presented?

 

[SteJBorchard]

I am not sure how this works anymore, but if you have a windows 10//11 Operating system disk have you tried booting to that and seeing if any of those repair/recover options work?

If that doesn't work anymore or you have no option to do so you probably just want to access the data from another computer/ operating system and then once backed up reformat the first and reinstall.

 

[ubuysa]

This won't help your current problem but there is a known issue with using the PIN in Safe Mode (and Startup Repair too it appears). I ran into this issue on my Win11 system recently, but research suggests it exists in WIn10 too. The cause is the toggle switch in settings to 'Only allow Windows Hello Sign-In from this computer' - it's in Settings > Accounts > Sign-In Options. You'll find the toggle switch under Additional Settings.

Turning this toggle switch off allows you to login with the password or the PIN. Obviously this is less secure but it does mean you can login with the password in Safe Mode - and, I assume, in Startup Repair.

AFAIK there is no quick command to turn this off, although there is a registry hack.