Lock screen not working in Windows 11? Here's how to fix it

October 2022 · 12 minute read
Windows 11 lock screen

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  • A lot of people are excited to finally get their hands on Windows 11 because of the amazing features and updates it comes with. However, it also has its share of bugs that completely disrupt the user experience. 

    One of the main issues the users face is being stuck on the login screen. It can be quite frustrating as it deters you from working, as you cannot access your device. 

    In some instances, the sign-in form does not appear. A quick fix for this problem would be to restart your PC in order to boot successfully. 

    Why is my lock screen on WIndows 11 not working? 

    The lock screen issues have annoyed plenty of Windows 11 users. The problem was first reported as a Windows 11 bug on the 22000.4 builds and it is related to all versions now. 

    However, Microsoft is currently looking for a plausible solution for this bug. But until they come up with the fix, there are a couple of methods that you can use to bypass the bug as you wait on Microsoft’s official release.  

    What can I do if my Windows 11 lock screen is not working? 

    1. Use Safe Mode to boot your device

  • Switch off your device, then turn it back on. Once your device restarts, hold the Power button till the device turns off again. Repeat this process till you enter winRE.
  • Once the Windows Recovery Environment interface pops up, the Choose an option page will be on display.
  • Select the Troubleshoot option. select
  • Then, choose Advanced options. CHOOSE
  • Select Startup Settings. initiate
  • Your device will then automatically restart itself. The next time the device boots up, there will be a list of options. Select Safe Mode.
  • 2. Use a keyboard shortcut

    Simply use the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys on your keyboard to try and trigger the login interface on your screen. Pressing the keys simultaneously will make the login screen appear.

    3. Use a PC optimization utility

    If you do not have time to manually pinpoint what causes this error and tweak your settings, you can benefit from the automated error fixing capabilities of Restoro.

    This tool scans your PC and detects any damaged, missing, or corrupt system files that can cause lock screen errors, system crashes, blue screens, and other similar issues.

    It uses its own Windows system file database to automatically replace any damaged files with new, well-functioning versions.

    It can also help remove spyware and malware, fix stability issues, and even clean up your PC by detecting and removing clutter such as file duplicates or old registry entries.

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    4. Reload the login interface on your device

    Reloading the login interface is a quick fix that will allow you to access the login interface on your device without necessarily rebooting it. 

    You can attempt to trigger the login interface by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys simultaneously. Once the login interface you can now log in to your device. 

    However, this is not a permanent fix to the problem. You might find yourself in a similar situation at a later date. This method only helps you gain access to your PC without restarting it.

    5. Use the Power button

    The first instinct that one gets when facing any issue with their device is to restart it. You are right! This is a workaround that will help you get rid of the lock screen issue. 

    You will have to forcefully restart your device. This will allow it to boot normally, rather than trying to access it while in the hibernation phase. 

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    This is one of the easiest and quickest methods that one can use when facing lock screen issues. All you need to do is to long-press the Power button until the device is off.

    Note icon
    NOTE

    Short pressing the Power button will lead you back to hibernation mode. 

    6. Make all the necessary updates

  • Insert a Windows compatible media, then press any key to boot your device (You can create an installation media from scratch or interrupt the booting sequence thrice to get to the Recovery menu).
  • Press Shift + 10 to get to the Command Prompt window.
  • Key in the following command to configure your device to boot while in Safe Mode: bcdedit /set {default} safeboot networkopen
  • Close the Command Prompt and the Windows Repair window. Then, remove the installation media allowing your device to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
  • This will force your Windows 11 PC to boot in Safe Mode with Networking, which will allow you to install the pending updates.

    Fixes addressing critical system processes typically arrive through important or critical updates, but you should install every pending update just to be sure.

  • Press Windows key + R key to open the Run dialog.
  • Then, key in the following command and then click on OK to open the Windows Update window: ms-settings:windowsupdateopen
  • The User Account Control will then pop up. Click on Yes to give administrative access.
  • This will take you to the Windows Update tab. On the right hand side click on the Check for Updates button.check
  • In the event that there is a new update available, Windows 11 will automatically download and install the update depending on the settings. You can click on Install now from the list of options, if the update does not start automatically. 
  • Then, you will be prompted to restart your device, you can then check if the same problem is recurring. 
  • You will now have to configure your device to boot normally. To do this, press the Windows key + R key to open the Run dialog box.then key in the following code to open the System Configuration menu: msconfigopen
  • Once the System Configuration menu pops up, click on the Boot tab and uncheck the box marked Safe Mode, Click on OK to save the changes made. uncheck
  • The lock screen issue is caused by a bug. According to Insider talk, Microsoft is on the verge of getting a breakthrough. 

    You might not be able to access Windows Update using the GUI. If this is applicable, you’ll need to boot in Safe Mode.

    7. Disable your lock screen 

    Note icon
    NOTE

    You might be unable to get past the lock screen. Therefore, you will need to boot in Safe Mode. 

  • Insert a Windows compatible media, then press any key to boot your device (You can create an installation media from scratch or interrupt the booting sequence thrice to get to the Recovery menu).
  • Press Shift + 10 to get the Command Prompt window.
  • Key in the following command to configure your device to boot while in Safe Mode: bcdedit/set {default} safeboot minimalrequest
  • Reboot your device, then remove the installation media as you wait for your device to boot in Safe Mode. 
  • Press Windows key + I key to open the Settings menu. open
  • Choose the Personalization menu on the left.select
  • Then click on Lock Screen on the right.select
  • Select the Screen timeout that is located under the Related settings option. choose
  • Change the screen behaviour to Never. This will prevent the login screen from appearing when your device is idle. set
  • Disabling your lock screen is an effective way that you can use to avoid getting into the same situation where it does not work again. You can use the Settings menu to disable your lock screen.  

    Removing the lock screen feature from your device will protect you from the setbacks that come with the bug. The lock screen will not appear even if your device is in sleep or idle mode. 

    8. Prevent your screen from turning off

    Note icon
    NOTE

    You can disable the turning off of the screen on your device and still retain the power-saving setting. 

  • Press the Windows key + I key to open Settingsopen
  • Then, click on Accountsclick
  • Select the Sign in options option.select
  • Click on Additional Settings on the right hand side.select
  • Next, change the behavior of the If you’ve been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again? Then select Never.prevent
  • If you were able to use this fix previously, then you will also have to stop your operating system from booting in Safe Mode. 

  • Press Windows key + R key to open the Run dialog.
  • Key in the following command: msconfigopen
  • Once you get to the System Configuration menu, go to the Boot tab and uncheck the box with Safe Modeuncheck
  • 9. Use the System File Checker

  • Boot your device in Safe Mode as previously illustrated in the above methods.
  • Then, press Windows key + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type cmd in your dialog box to open the Command Prompt, then click on OK to give administrative access.run
  • Key in the following command, the press Enter: sfc/scannowcommand prompt
  • The System File Checker will then be able to identify any errors on your device. You will then be able to fix them automatically using the SFC command.
  • 10. Uncheck the Turn on fast startup option

  • Press Windows + R key to open Run dialog.
  • Type Control and click OK to open the Control Panel.open
  • Go to System and Security and then click on Power Options.system settings
  • In the left pane, click on Choose what the power buttons do.choose
  • Next, click the Change settings that are currently unavailable link.change
  • Under the Shutdown settings section, uncheck the Turn on fast startup option to turn it off.uncheck
  • Click Save changes to apply the changes.save
  • 11. Disable login information request 

  • Boot your device in Safe Mode as illustrated above.
  • Then, press Windows key + R key to open the Run dialog box. Key in the following code, then press OK: netplwizrun
  • Uncheck the option with Users must enter a username and password to use this computer. Then click on OK.remove
  • 12. Create a new user account

    Tip icon
    Tip

    The login issue could be the result of a corrupted account. Therefore, you need to create a new account to restore the login screen. Doing so allows you to start afresh with new and untouched settings, thus giving you the chance to bypass the issues related to the rest of your user account. 

  • Boot your device in Safe Mode.
  • Then, click on the Windows icon in your taskbar to get to the Start menu. 
  • Press Windows key + I key to open the Settings page. Then, click on Accounts.select
  • On the left side click on Family & other users.choose
  • Scroll down the page till you see Other users. Then, select Add someone else to this PC.add
  • Create the new account offline. Thus, select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.create account
  • Then, click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.add user
  • Enter all the information required then click on the Next button once you are done. finish setting up
  • Restart your device and login to your device using the new account to check whether the problem has been resolved. 
  • 13. Rebuild MBR

  • Switch off your device, then turn it back on using the Power button. Once you see the Windows 11 starting, hold onto the Power button till the device shuts down again. Repeat the process till you get to winRE.
  • Then, navigate to Troubeshoot, followed by Advanced options and Command Prompt.select
  • Key in the following codes in the Command Prompt the restart your device to check if the issue has been resolved:
  • The lock screen issue can be quite frustrating. You may also try to disconnect your device from the Internet as long as this also causes the lock screen issue.

    However, this is dependent on whether your device automatically connects to the Internet immediately after you start it up. You also have to ensure that the mouse cursor works before trying to disconnect the Internet from the device.

    What can I do if my laptop freezes?

    Your laptop might freeze from time to time, especially if you use it to perform CPU-intensive tasks. This often leads people to think the device is permanently frozen, however, this is not the case all the time.

    In certain situations, all you need is to give your device a bit of time. Give it sufficient time to load up and just be patient.

    If the lock screen does not affect you on a regular basis, then chances are that your laptop just needs a bit of time to load. However, if it is a chronic and common occurrence on your device you will need to use one of the methods listed above to get yourself out of that predicament.

    Also, ensure that your mouse is properly connected. If your mouse is not properly connected or it does not have batteries, it may lead you to think that your device is frozen.

    You can also get more information from our guide on how to disable the lock screen on Windows Server. There have been plenty of complaints lodged by our readers on the same lock screen issue as well as the lock screen slideshow. As such, we have a list of solutions to fix Windows 11’s lock screen slideshow.

    We hope that the above solutions were able to get you out of the lock screen not working in Windows 11 issue. Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below, including the method that helped you resolve the lock screen issue.

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