Windows Hello is a biometric-based security software available on Windows 11/ 10. It allows users to log in to their accounts and apps by entering the PIN. However, you may come across an error code 0x80040154 while setting up the PIN.

As such, here are all the solutions to eliminate the Windows PIN error code 0x80040154.

What Causes Microsoft PIN Error Code 0x80040154?

The Microsoft PIN Error Code 0x80040154 mainly results from a corrupt Ngc folder or a disabled TPM. Additionally, an outdated Windows version can also trigger the error message.

Fortunately, it's pretty easy to eliminate the error code. Let's check out all the solutions you can try in the situation.

1. Update or Roll Back Windows Update

Microsoft rolls out new updates at regular intervals, and each update fixes minor bugs and improves the system performance. And from what it looks like, the error message can result from a temporary bug. You can always download the latest OS update to eliminate such minor bugs.

Here's how to download the latest Windows update.

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Click on Windows Update from the left pane.
  3. Click on Check for Updates.

Windows will show all the pending updates. Go ahead and install them.

Alternatively, the PIN error can result from a recently installed Windows update. In this case, you will have to revert the update to fix the problem.

Here's how to uninstall a recent update.

  1. Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start icon and searching for the control panel.
  2. Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
  3. Click on View installed updates from the left pane.
  4. Look for the recently installed update under the Microsoft Windows section.
  5. Right-click on the update and choose Uninstall from the context menu.
    Window showing different applications updates

Restart the system and check if you can log in via entering the PIN.

2. Empty the Ngc Folder

The error message can pop up due to corrupt Ngc folders. The Ngc folders feature data associated with PIN settings of Windows 11. Although it is recommended not to tweak with the Ngc folder, you are left with no other option than to clear its content if the data gets corrupted.

You can clear the content of the Ngc folder by following the below steps.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue box.
  2. Type the following command and click on OK.
            C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft
        
  3. Righ-click on the Ngc folder, and choose Delete.
    Deleting Ngc Folder in Windows 10
  4. Click on Yes to the confirmation box that pops up.

Next, reboot the system and check if the problem continues. If yes, try the next solution on the list.

3. Change Group Policy Settings

The next thing you can try is to ensure that the Convenience PIN sign-in setting is enabled under the Group Policy Editor. You can enable the settings by following the below steps.

  1. Open the Run dialogue box.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and click on OK.
  3. Choose Administrative Templates from the left pane.
  4. Head towards System > Logon.
  5. Locate and double-click on Turn on convenience PIN sign-in.
    PIN settings in Group Policy Editor Window
  6. Click on Enabled.
    Enable PIN sign-in Window
  7. Click on Apply > OK to save the changes.

Next, try to log in via entering the PIN and check if you're still facing the error message.

4. Disable Antivirus and Run Malware Scan

The error message can pop up due to a third-party antivirus program installed on your system. If this is the case, disable the anti-virus program. After that, use Microsoft Defender to run an offline scan and find hidden malware.

5. Enable TPM

The error code 0x80040154 can appear if TPM is disabled on your system. Trusted Platform Module, aka TPM, provides cryptographic keys to keep your system safe and secure. You'll have to enable TPM on your system to fix the problem.

Here's how to turn on TPM on Windows 11.

  1. Open the Run dialogue box.
  2. Type tpm.msc and click on OK.
  3. Click on Action on the toolbar.
  4. Choose Prepare the TPM option.

Next, you will be asked to restart the system. Go through the onscreen instruction that appears during the boot process.

6. Change Windows Registry

Registry Editor Window

If the PIN login is disabled under the Windows Registry, you are most likely to face the problem in the question. You will have to enable the option to resolve the issue.

Here are the changes you need to make in the Windows Registry.

  1. Open the Run dialogue box using Win + R hotkeys.
  2. Type regedit and click on OK.
  3. In the Registry Editor, head towards the following location.
            HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
        
  4. Look for AllowDomainPINLogo in the right pane. If you can't find this entry, right-click on the blank space, and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) value.
  5. Name the value AllowDomainPINLogo.
  6. Double-click on the newly created value (AllowDomainPINLogo) and enter 1 in the Value data section.
  7. Change the Base value to Hexadecimal.
  8. Click on OK to save the changes.

Reboot the system and check if it fixes the issue. If not, move on to the next solution.

7. Verify Microsoft Account

Windows Hello will constantly throw the error message if the Microsoft account is not verified. You will have to verify the account to fix the problem.

Here's how to verify the Microsoft account on Windows 11.

  1. Open Settings using Win + I hotkeys.
  2. Choose Accounts from the left pane.
  3. Click on Your info.
  4. Click on the Verify option the under Account settings.
  5. Choose the email in which you want to receive the verification code.
  6. Enter the verification code and click on the Verify option.

That's it. Reboot the system and check if you're still facing the problem.

8. Run SFC Scan

Corrupt system files can also be the reason why you are facing the error message. You can use an SFC scan to eliminate the corrupt files. System File Checker, aka SFC, looks for and resolves corrupt system file issues.

Here are the steps to run an SFC scan on Windows 11.

  1. Open Command Prompt in administrator mode.
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Wait until the command finishes its run.

Login Using PIN With Ease

We hope the solutions helped resolve the issue. But in the worst-case scenario, if the problem continues, you will have to restore the system to the point where the PIN now works fine.