Alvise C.After updating to Windows 11 26H2, Windows Hello may need to be set up again on some devices. The report comes from Adam Juelich, who on 6 October posted a message on X describing sign-in problems on both of his computers.
In the post, Juelich says he had to use the “I forgot my PIN” procedure and then remove and re-register his fingerprint and facial recognition.
For now, this is a community report: it is not enough to demonstrate a widespread defect in Windows 11 26H2.
What the report reveals
In the screenshot, Juelich links the malfunction to the move to version 26H2 and describes previously configured sign-in methods no longer working.
One visible reply adds a similar experience, encountered on about a third of the devices updated by the commenter. This figure applies only to their own environment: it is not an estimate of how widespread the problem is.
Important information needed to determine the cause is also missing: the full build, installed updates, device models, error messages, and policy configuration. The reference to Microsoft Intune in the post does not prove that the problem is related to corporate management.
Has Microsoft confirmed a problem with Windows Hello?
As of 6 October 2026, the public Windows release health page for 26H2 does not contain a specific entry for the malfunction of Windows Hello described in the post. It is therefore not possible to identify an official cause or a dedicated corrective update.
It is also important to distinguish this report from other sign-in problems documented by Microsoft. Loss of a domain trust relationship and a black screen after login have different contexts and symptoms: there is not enough evidence to link them to Juelich’s case.
What to do if PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition isn’t working
The procedure described in the post may serve as a reference, but it is not an official solution specifically for 26H2.
If you can still sign in to Windows using an alternative method, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. From this screen, you can check and reconfigure Windows Hello methods.
For the PIN, Microsoft documents the “I forgot my PIN”option, which requires you to verify your account before creating a new one. The device PIN is separate from the Microsoft account password. Availability and procedure may vary depending on the account type and computer configuration.
For fingerprints, Microsoft suggests, when necessary, signing in with a PIN or password and registering the fingerprints again. For facial recognition, the options include “Improve recognition” or removing it and setting it up again. These are general troubleshooting procedures, with no guarantee that they will resolve the case reported after 26H2.
On a work device, it is advisable to contact the IT department before changing the configuration: the available options may be controlled by the organization’s policies.
A report to verify before rolling out the update more widely
For anyone managing multiple computers, the case suggests a practical check during update testing: verify PIN, fingerprint, and facial recognition, as well as the usual applications.
If the problem occurs, recording the build, hardware, error message, and sign-in method involved helps compare cases. This information makes it possible to assess whether there is a recurring issue, avoiding automatically attributing every sign-in difficulty to the new version.
