How to fix
PIN Error 0x80070032
on Windows

[ref 1]After the installation of Windows 10, PIN stopped working with an error code 0x80070032. Now I can’t log into Windows with my PIN password and have no idea what can I do. Please help.

Windows 10 operating system has been complemented with a Windows Hello feature[ref en-1] for the sake of security. It’s a biometric identity and access control feature, which allows logging into Windows using fingerprint, iris, facial recognition or PIN password.

Unfortunately, Windows Hello not available for all Windows 10 users. Those who use older devices, which lack for necessary hardware components, such as fingerprint or iris scanner, will either have to purchase a biometric USB fingerprint/iris scanner[ref en-2] or forget about the Windows Hello.

Usually, fingerprint, iris or facial recognition log in is accompanied with the PIN passwords.[ref en-3] That’s the most secure way to log into Windows 10, because PIN password is easier to memorize, while user’s facial contours, iris or fingerprint are extremely difficult to counterfeit.

However, people often encounter Windows Hello problems when, for example, fingerprint or PIN password won’t work. One of the recent log in errors is 0x80070032. Most of the users claim that it occurred right after the installation of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and compromised PIN and/or fingerprint log in.

We believe that Microsoft has put the error code 0x80070032 under investigation, but neither the patch nor the official approval of the bug has been announced. There are many reasons why PIN may stop working with the error code 0x80070032 saying “Something went wrong. Try again later. Error code: 0x80070032.” Therefore, we’ll provide various fixes that may help to sort this problem out.

Remove the content of NGC folder to fix 0x80070032

If you cannot log into Windows with the PIN, sign in with your password and then remove the content of the NGC folder. However, first of all, you’ll have to take the ownership of this folder.

1. Log in to Windows 10 using your password.
2. Press Windows key + X and open File Explorer.
3. Navigate to the C:\\Windows\\ServiceProfiles\\LocalService\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft path.
4. Right-click on the NGC folder and select Properties.
5. Open Security tab, click Advanced button, and find the Owner section.

   

6. Click the Change link and in the Enter the object name, enter the Administrator’s or User name (depending on which you are using).
7. Click Check Names and OK.
8. Mark the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and click Apply -> OK to save the changes.
9. Now check if you can access the NGC folder. If yes, mark all files stored in it and remove all of them.
10. Once done, press Windows key + I to open Settings.
11. Open Account settings and select Sign-in Options.
12. Click Add a PIN and follow the rest of instructions.

Fix the 0x80070032 error using “I forgot my PIN” option

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Open Accounts section and click Sign-in options.
3. Locate the PIN and click on I forgot my PIN option.

   

4. Click Continue to confirm the option.
5. You’ll be asked to enter a new PIN. Enter it and click OK.
6. You may be asked to enter the Microsoft account password. In this case, you should change the type of your account from Microsoft to local and try these steps again.

Fix the error by recreating your PIN

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Open Accounts section and open Sign-in options.
3. Open PIN section and select Remove.
4. Click Remove to confirm your choice.
5. Now enter your Account password and click OK.
6. After that, click Add button and enter the new PIN.
7. Click OK to save it and check if the problem was resolved.

   

NOTE: a couple of Dell device users reported that PIN error 0x80070032 was resolved after removing the Dell Data Protection security tools. If you are using Dell PC, look for such software and try eliminating it. Don’t forget to wipe out its temporary files and leftovers via Windows Registry. For this purpose, you can use [d1].