3 Fixes When You Can’t Sign into Windows 11 With a Microsoft Account

Quick Tips

• Resetting the password is effective since you may be inputting the wrong credentials.
• You may have to contact Microsoft support to fix the problem as a last resort.

Basic Fixes 

• Check Microsoft server outage: If there is an outage on the Microsoft server, you must wait it out before retrying.
• Check Microsoft account details and two-factor authentication: You should confirm that you have input the correct credentials and ensure you have the right codes from your two-factor authenticator.
• Try a different Microsoft account: If you can log in with a different Microsoft account, something is wrong with your account, not the device.

Fix 1: Reset the Microsoft Password

There is a chance that you won’t remember your password. If that is the case, reset your Microsoft password. To do so, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Click I forgot my PIN on the sign in screen.

Step 2: In the password window, click Forgot password.

Step 3: Enter the code from your authenticator app, click Verify or Sign in another way, and select your email.

Step 4: If you used your email in the above step, enter the code from your email and input a new password. Now, log into your computer.

Fix 2: Disable Anti-Virus Software

If resetting the Microsoft password did not work, you should disable your antivirus. Active third-party anti-virus software may prevent you from logging into your Microsoft account on Windows. You may follow the steps below.

Note: You’ll need a user account with administrative privileges to perform system-level changes.

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key > select the Task Manager from the Power User menu.

Step 2: Select Startup apps from the left sidebar.

Step 3: Right-click on anti-virus software and select Disable.

Restart your computer and try again. Enable the anti-virus software using the same steps. You can also uninstall such anti-virus apps on your computer.

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Go to Apps > select Installed apps.

Step 3: Find your anti-virus software > click on three horizontal dots > select Uninstall.

Fix 3: Delete the Credentials Directory

Windows may not let you sign in with the Microsoft account due to corrupt credentials. So, delete the credentials directory. For this step, you will need an alternative user account with administrative privileges.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog box. Type %localappdata% and hit Enter.

Step 2: Double-click the Microsoft folder.

Step 3: Delete the Credentials folder.