Quick answer
First check if Caps Lock is on and if the keyboard works, then try another sign-in method (PIN, password, picture password). If Windows accepts the password but sign-in doesn't complete, the problem is usually in the profile or network, not the password itself. For a Microsoft account, you can restore access via the account recovery website, and for a local account via security questions or an administrator account.
How to recognize the problem
- Windows shows a message that the password is incorrect, even though the same password worked before
- Sign-in spins on the "Welcome" screen and never completes
- PIN doesn't work, and the option to enter a password is not visible
- After an update, the computer asks for a password you don't know
- Account is locked due to too many incorrect attempts
Most common causes
Incorrect input or keyboard
Caps Lock, wrong keyboard layout or a faulty key can make a correct password unrecognizable to Windows. This is the most common and easiest cause to fix.
Password changed elsewhere
If it's a Microsoft account, the password may have been changed on your phone or in a browser, so the computer asks for the new one. The same applies if the account is linked to a business Microsoft 365 account.
Corrupted user profile
Windows accepts the password but cannot load the profile, so sign-in returns to the sign-in screen. The cause is usually corrupted profile files or insufficient disk space.
Network or domain issue
For Microsoft accounts and business accounts, sign-in depends on the internet connection and servers. Without network or with incorrect time on the computer, sign-in may fail.
Locked account or password policy
Multiple incorrect attempts lock the account for a certain period, and password policy may require a change at next sign-in.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check keyboard and input
Turn off Caps Lock and check if Serbian or English keyboard layout is selected. If you have access to another account, open Notepad and check if the keys work, then type the password manually. If you have a keyboard with a numeric keypad, check if Num Lock is on.
- 2
Try another sign-in method
On the sign-in screen, click the options below the password field and select PIN, password or picture password if offered. If PIN doesn't work, select the option to enter the Microsoft account password. On the sign-in screen, you can also select another user account if one exists.
- 3
Check internet connection and time
For a Microsoft account and business account, an internet connection is required. If sign-in doesn't complete, check the cable or Wi-Fi on the sign-in screen, then try again. Incorrect time on the computer can block sign-in, so after signing in, check it in
Settings > Time & language > Date & time. - 4
Recover Microsoft account password
If the account is a Microsoft account, on your phone or another computer open the Microsoft account recovery page and follow the steps for forgotten password. Confirm your identity via email or phone and set a new password. Then sign in to the computer with that password, and you can set up the PIN again in
Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. - 5
Use security questions for local account
If it's a local account, on the sign-in screen click the option to reset password if offered and answer the security questions. If questions are not set, sign in with another administrator account on the same computer. Open
Control Panel > User Accountsand select the option to change the password of another account. - 6
Boot into safe mode
If sign-in is accepted but doesn't complete, hold the Shift key while selecting Restart on the sign-in screen. In the menu, select
Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings, then restart and select safe mode. If you sign in normally in safe mode, the cause is usually a program that starts at sign-in or a driver. - 7
Create a new user profile
Sign in with an administrator account and open
Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account. Create a new local account and sign in to it. If the new profile works correctly, the old profile is corrupted, so copy documents and other files from it to the new profile. - 8
Check disk space and updates
Insufficient space on the system disk can interrupt profile loading. If you manage to sign in, check free space in
Settings > System > Storage. Then inSettings > Windows Updateinstall all available updates, as some of them have fixed sign-in errors. - 9
Use reset option if nothing helps
If no account works, from the recovery screen select
Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. If the option to keep personal files is offered, select it. This is a risky step, so back up your data before it if possible. Do not interrupt the process until it completes.
If nothing helps
When no account can sign in and your data is important, don't reinstall Windows right away. From the recovery screen you can open the command prompt and check if the disk is full or if the system reports errors, but don't run commands that change partitions without checking. If the computer is part of a business network, the account may be locked on the server, so an administrator needs to check the account status. For home users, the safest is to first check if the account is a Microsoft account and if the password was changed on another device. If sign-in is interrupted by a blue screen or restart, the problem goes beyond the account and should be treated as a hardware or system failure.
How to prevent it
- Remember or securely store your Microsoft account password and update it on all devices
- Set up a PIN and security questions for a local account
- Create a second administrator account for emergencies
- Regularly check free space on drive C and install updates
When to call a professional
Contact IT support if the computer is part of a business network, if no account can sign in, or if sign-in is interrupted by a restart. Then a check of the account on the server and data is needed before any reset.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Why won't Windows accept a password that worked before?
Most often the password was changed on another device or Caps Lock is on, or the wrong keyboard layout is selected. If it's a Microsoft account, check the new password via the account recovery page.
Can I sign in if I don't know the local account password?
If you set security questions, you can use them on the sign-in screen. Otherwise, you need another administrator account on the same computer or the reset option, with risk to your data.
Is it safe to reset the computer because of sign-in?
Reset is the last option and can remove programs and settings. Before it, save your data if possible and first try a new user profile or safe mode.