Windows 11 bug “hides” your password sign-in button and Microsoft’s fix is… hover and click the right spot
November 30, 2025
Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in Windows 11 that obscures the “password” icon, a crucial feature for users who prefer to log in using their password instead of a PIN. This glitch prevents access to the password field, which is particularly problematic for those who may have forgotten their PIN. The absence of this icon means that users are left without a straightforward way to log into their PCs.
The password option highlighted here is missing on the affected PCs
Typically, users who have set up Windows Hello will see a PIN option alongside a fingerprint sign-in feature. By selecting ‘show sign-in options,’ the password icon should appear, allowing users to access the password field. However, due to this new known issue, users are finding that the password icon is conspicuously absent.
According to a support document from Microsoft, “You might notice that the password icon is not visible in the sign-in options on the lock screen.” This issue affects all PCs that have installed any of the following updates:
KB5068861 | Build 26200.7171 / 26100.7171 | Released on November 11
KB5067036 | Builds 26200.7019 / 26100.7019 | Released on October 28
KB5070773 | Builds 26200.6901 / 26100.6901 | Released on October 20
KB5066835 | Builds 26200.6899 / 26100.6899 | Released on October 14
KB5065789 | Build 26100.6725 | Released on September 29
KB5068221 | Build 26100.6588 | Released on September 22
KB5065426 | Build 26100.6584 | Released on September 9
KB5064081 | Build 26100.5074 | Released on August 29
Who is affected?
This issue primarily impacts users who wish to utilize a password while Windows Hello PIN or other sign-in methods are configured.
While Microsoft has not disclosed the number of affected users, it has not suggested that the problem is limited to a small subset of devices. Interestingly, Microsoft noted that if users hover over the area where the icon should be, they will find that the password button is still functional. “Select this placeholder to open the password text box and enter your password. After entering your password, you can sign in normally,” the company explained.
In a rather humorous twist, Microsoft has provided a workaround for the missing password icon. Users are encouraged to click randomly on the lock screen in hopes of triggering the password field. This unconventional approach adds a touch of levity to an otherwise frustrating situation.
Recent Windows Update issues
The recent updates for Windows 11 have been marred by a series of complications. Following the October 2025 Patch Tuesday release, users reported that mouse and keyboard functionality was lost in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). An emergency update was subsequently issued to rectify this issue.
However, the troubles did not end there. Users discovered that hosting apps or websites locally on Windows became impossible due to a disruption in the LocalHost service, necessitating yet another emergency update. Additionally, a glitch caused Task Manager to duplicate itself, leading to performance degradation.
Just when it seemed that the saga of Windows bugs might be coming to a close, Nvidia revealed a significant drop in gaming performance on PCs updated with the October 2025 Update. In response, Nvidia released a hotpatch to address these performance concerns. Now, with the emergence of the password icon issue, users are left to wonder what other surprises may lie ahead.
Have you experienced any issues following the recent Windows updates? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Windows 11 bug “hides” your password sign-in button and Microsoft’s fix is… hover and click the right spot
Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in Windows 11 that obscures the “password” icon, a crucial feature for users who prefer to log in using their password instead of a PIN. This glitch prevents access to the password field, which is particularly problematic for those who may have forgotten their PIN. The absence of this icon means that users are left without a straightforward way to log into their PCs.
Typically, users who have set up Windows Hello will see a PIN option alongside a fingerprint sign-in feature. By selecting ‘show sign-in options,’ the password icon should appear, allowing users to access the password field. However, due to this new known issue, users are finding that the password icon is conspicuously absent.
According to a support document from Microsoft, “You might notice that the password icon is not visible in the sign-in options on the lock screen.” This issue affects all PCs that have installed any of the following updates:
Who is affected?
This issue primarily impacts users who wish to utilize a password while Windows Hello PIN or other sign-in methods are configured.
While Microsoft has not disclosed the number of affected users, it has not suggested that the problem is limited to a small subset of devices. Interestingly, Microsoft noted that if users hover over the area where the icon should be, they will find that the password button is still functional. “Select this placeholder to open the password text box and enter your password. After entering your password, you can sign in normally,” the company explained.
In a rather humorous twist, Microsoft has provided a workaround for the missing password icon. Users are encouraged to click randomly on the lock screen in hopes of triggering the password field. This unconventional approach adds a touch of levity to an otherwise frustrating situation.
Recent Windows Update issues
The recent updates for Windows 11 have been marred by a series of complications. Following the October 2025 Patch Tuesday release, users reported that mouse and keyboard functionality was lost in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). An emergency update was subsequently issued to rectify this issue.
However, the troubles did not end there. Users discovered that hosting apps or websites locally on Windows became impossible due to a disruption in the LocalHost service, necessitating yet another emergency update. Additionally, a glitch caused Task Manager to duplicate itself, leading to performance degradation.
Just when it seemed that the saga of Windows bugs might be coming to a close, Nvidia revealed a significant drop in gaming performance on PCs updated with the October 2025 Update. In response, Nvidia released a hotpatch to address these performance concerns. Now, with the emergence of the password icon issue, users are left to wonder what other surprises may lie ahead.
Have you experienced any issues following the recent Windows updates? Share your thoughts in the comments below.