Even after entering the right Windows credentials, the error notification may continue. And the error manifests itself on the screen with an error message and a suggestion that, in most cases, will not assist you in resolving the issue.
Windows needs your current credentials error on Windows 10
When trying to access a locked system, Windows users who have ever encountered the "Windows needs your current credentials" notification know how frustrating it can be. Fortunately, there are a few ways to fix this problem.
When you see this error, the first thing you should do is scan your computer for malware using a good anti-malware program. We recommend Malwarebytes as it is one of the best anti-malware tools available.
If you can log in with the same account on several platforms, there may be a problem with authentication on your Windows 10 system. Many users reported that validating the user account solved the "Windows needs your current credentials" warning.
Device is Azure AD joined. User is seeing "Windows needs your current credentials. Please lock your device and then unlock with your smart card" error, no matter what logon method (password/pin/biometric). We have an on-premises domain with Hybrid Azure AD joined devices and AAD Connect, but this device should be separate, as it does not deal at all with the corporate infrastructure.The user has been seeing this on login every day for a month. We've tried a number of fixes like clearing Windows credentials, removing/re-adding PIN/biometrics, logging in with different logon methods, but it is consistently appearing no matter what logon method is attempted. It only happens on the corporate network.
Karan Khanna is a passionate Windows user who loves troubleshooting Windows 11/10 problems in specific and writing about Microsoft technologies in general.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined')ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thewindowsclub_com-medrectangle-1','ezslot_4',697,'0','0']);__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewindowsclub_com-medrectangle-1-0');report this adPrimary Sidebar
Navigate to Settings, select Accounts, and check if any alerts ask you to verify your account. Do that and check if the error persists. Additionally, change your PIN. Go to Sign-in options, click on PIN, and then select the Change your PIN button.
If Windows says, you need to enter your current credentials, verify your account and change your PIN. Then update your computer to the latest version. Additionally, clear all your Windows credentials and restart the device. If your computer is managed by an organization, contact your IT admin for further help.
It looks like the Windows credential manager got corrupted or something went wrong with the user account. However, we have managed to identify a series of common cases that end up showing the Windows needs your current credentials error.
Many times, installing the 3rd party programs or getting some 3rd party services to start causing errors on the Windows system. So, restoring your system to the earlier image help you to get past the error. But if in case you had created a system restore point.
If you are able to log in using the same account in different systems then there is a possibility in your Windows 10 system there is some sort of authenticating issue. Many users confirmed verifying the user account worked for them to solve Windows needs your current credentials then Locked Out message.
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.no-icon:beforedisplay:none; By Hardeep KaurMay 6, 2022 6 minutes read "@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Article","dateCreated":"2021-09-15T21:34:29-05:00","datePublished":"2021-09-15T21:34:29-05:00","dateModified":"2022-05-06T09:29:15-05:00","headline":"How to Fix \u201cWindows Needs Your Current Credentials\u201d on Windows?","keywords":[],"url":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/windows-needs-your-current-credentials-windows\/","description":"You may get the \u201cWindows needs your current credentials\u201d when you try to log in to your Windows system. The error message appears even after typing the correct credential. And the error presents itsel","articleSection":"Windows Privacy","articleBody":"You may get the \u201cWindows needs your current credentials\u201d when you try to log in to your Windows system. The error message appears even after typing the correct credential. And the error presents itself with the error message on the screen, accompanied by a suggestion that generally won\u2019t help you to fix the error.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs per the users they are getting the error even after trying to login again by locking and unlocking the screen and typing the correct username and password. However, sometimes the error won\u2019t appear while login with the password, it only appears when you log in using your PIN. This is rather the most irritating error and not limited to Windows 10 version, the Windows 7 and 8 users also reported the error.\r\n\r\nIt looks like the Windows credential manager got corrupted or something went wrong with the user account. However, we have managed to identify a series of common cases that end up showing the Windows needs your current credentials error.\r\nCauses for Error \"Windows Needs Your Current Credentials\"\r\n\r\n \tGroup Policy Misconfiguration \u2013 The most possible culprit that causes Windows to throw the error message during login is the underlying issues or misconfiguration with the Group Policy. The group policy includes the reliable records needed by the system while communicating and once it gets corrupted it is likely to cause the error.\r\n \tVirus infection \u2013 If your computer is corrupted with the virus or malware infection then this might be the culprit for the error. The virus present in your system takes full control over the PC's functioning and result in causing unexpected errors.\r\n \tSystem file corruption \u2013 The system file corruption may sometimes affect OS functioning and trigger error messages while carrying out certain functions. So, run the SFC or use the DISM repair scans that might work for you or perform a clean install.\r\n \tUnsupported Users Account \u2013 There might be some sort of authentication problem that is causing the error. And re-verifying the user account might work in your case.\r\n\r\nNow, here we have listed some possible solutions that will help you to the bottom of the error and solve it.\r\nCheck for Virus infection\r\nIf there is system is infected with the virus or any other malicious threats, then this starts running in the background and takes control of your system\u2019s functioning slowly. So, if you start getting the unexpectedly on your Windows system then scanning your system will help you to detect potential threats.\r\n\r\nWindows Firewall is a good choice but sometimes it fails to detect strong and suspicious viruses or malware. So, it is suggested to scan your system with the best antivirus program on Windows 10 and perform a full system scan. If any potential threat is found then make sure to remove it completely.\r\n\r\nAnd restart your system, and try login into your Windows. Check if you get the error or head to the next solution.\r\nPerform a System Restore\r\nMany times, installing the 3rd party programs or getting some 3rd party services to start causing errors on the Windows system. So, restoring your system to the earlier image help you to get past the error. But if in case you had created a system restore point.\r\n\r\nPlease Note \u2013 Perform a system restore won\u2019t damage the data but only remove the recent changes made by you.\r\n\r\nFollow the instructions to perform a system restore:\r\n\r\n \tPress Windows + S key and in the search box type Recovery and from the list find and click on it\r\n \tNow on the right side click on the option Open System Restore\r\n\r\n\r\n \tA new window appears then click on Next and follow the onscreen instructions to finish it. Now you will see the list of Restore Points created by you.\r\n \tAnd select one restore point prior to getting to the error and get back to the healthy state.\r\n\r\n\r\n \tWait for the restoring process to finish and reboot your system to let the changes take effect.\r\n\r\nNow check if the Windows needs your current credentials error is fixed or else move down to the next solution.\r\nModify Group Policy Configuration\r\nWell, this solution is for the Windows 10 Pro and later Windows versions linked domains users. Here it is suggested to changes the Group Policy settings as it they get misconfigured; they also start causing unexpected problems on the Windows system.\r\n\r\nNote: If you are using you will have to enable the group policy editor for Windows 10 Home.\r\n\r\nChanging them to the default settings worked for many Windows 10 users to solve the error. Here follow the instructions given below:\r\n\r\n \tPress the Windows + R key to open Run Box and here type the command Gpedit.Msc and hit OK.\r\n\r\n\r\n \tThen a Local Group Policy Editor window appears on your screen.\r\n \tAnd in the left side click on the Computer Configuration > next double click in the Administrative Templets.\r\n\r\n\r\n \tNow select System and at the last click on the Logon option from the list.\r\n \tAnd at the right side double click on an Always wait for the network at computer startup and login option.\r\n\r\n\r\n \tCheck if the option was enabled then Disable it. Or else try setting it to Not Configured\r\n \tHit Apply and OK and exit the window Group Policy Editor.\r\n\r\nNext reboot your computer and as the system boots, try to login to Windows 10 using your Pin or password and check if you again encounter the error to managed to log in.\r\n\r\nBut if still, the error persists then moving down to the next solution might work.\r\nRe-authenticate the User Account\r\nIf you are able to log in using the same account in different systems then there is a possibility in your Windows 10 system there is some sort of authenticating issue. Many users confirmed verifying the user account worked for them to solve Windows needs your current credentials then Locked Out message.\r\n\r\nFollow the steps to do so:\r\n\r\n \tClick on the Start menu and right-click on the User Profile option\r\n \tNow choose Change Account Settings Option\r\n\r\n\r\n \tThen go to the option Your Info on the left side.\r\n\r\n\r\n \tAfter that on the right side click on the option Verify Link and you will get to a sequence of the on-screen commands.\r\n \tFollow them and continue for verifying your info.\r\n\r\nOnce the verification process is finished reboot your Windows 10 computer and once the system boot it is estimated you are able to log in to Windows 10 system without seeing the error.\r\nTry Activating the Windows 10 Trial Version\r\nWell, it is clear to fix Windows needs your current credentials error on Windows 10, you cannot use the Windows 10 Home any longer. Here you need to upgrade your Windows system to the trial version.\r\n\r\nAlso, a number of Windows 10 users confirmed that upgrading Windows 10 from Home to Pro worked for them to fix the error.\r\n\r\nThis is a time-consuming solution but if you are using Windows 10 Home or the above solutions won\u2019t work for you then this will definitely do the trick.\r\n\r\nFollow the instructions to do so:\r\n\r\n \tPress Windows + I key to open the Settings window\r\n \tNow click on the Update & Security Option\r\n\r\n\r\n \tThen on the left side click on the Activation\r\n \tNow click on the option Change Product Key on the right side\r\n \tAnd as promoted, enter the product key: VK7JG_NPHTM_C97JM_9MPGT_3V66T and hit Enter. It will initiate the Trial version and the copy of Windows 10 Pro is not yet activated.\r\n\r\n\r\n \tNow you need to locate the Start Upgrade button in the next step and click on it.\r\n \tWait till the process is finished and the system shutdown and reboots. You will see the below-given message:\r\n\r\n\u201cWorking on upgrades\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDon\u2019t turn off your computer.\u201d\r\n\r\nOnce the process is finished, you will see a similar features screen, here you need to wait till it gets 100% complete and you will the message: Edition upgrade completed. And it is done, your system is now ready.\r\n\r\nAnd now the Windows 10 is upgraded to the Pro version, you need to open the Activation screen, through Settings by pressing Windows + I key and verify the current version. Also, for activating Windows 10 Pro a genuine key is needed.\r\n\r\nBut as of now, it is estimated the error is resolved.\r\nRefresh the OS Component\r\nIf after trying all the potential fixes you are still dealing with the error on Windows 10, then there might be some sort of serious system file corruption and this is what leading the error while login.\r\n\r\nSo, here it is suggested to reset each and every Windows component by performing a clean install or perform in-place repair. If you are looking for an easy way then perform a clean install.\r\n\r\nBut if you wondering about the different approaches that leave the personal files saved on the OS drive, then you may require compatible installation media for starting the repair install or in-place repair process.\r\n\r\nDoing this is significantly tedious than performing a clean install, however, the main benefit is that you will be able to refresh the entire possible corrupted component without losing the data from the apps, documents, games and personal data stored on the drive.\r\n\r\nSo, it is estimated now you are able to fix Windows needs your current credentials error and login to your Windows 10 system.","publisher":"@id":"#Publisher","@type":"Organization","name":"Appuals.com","logo":"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/apuals_new_logo_B-1.png","publishingPrinciples":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/about\/#go-to-editorial-guidelines","sameAs":["https:\/\/facebook.com\/appuals","https:\/\/twitter.com\/appuals","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/appuals\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCR--2QnA0vYBfqsmSI3pQ9g","https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/organization\/appuals"],"author":"@type":"Person","name":"Hardeep Kaur","url":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/author\/hardeep-gh\/","description":"Hardeep is a passionate technical writer with more than 7 years of experience. She has a keen interest in PC games, Windows OS and everything surrounding it. She is a technology enthusiast and fascinated with technology since her childhood days.","jobTitle":"IT Support Assistant","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hardeep_k88\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/hardeep-kaur-1008aa13b\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/Hardeep94017013"],"knowsAbout":["Microsoft Windows, Windows Softwares"],"alumniOf":"@type":"Organization","Name":"Ranchi University","mainEntityOfPage":"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/windows-needs-your-current-credentials-windows\/","breadcrumb":"@id":"#Breadcrumb","image":"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/cdn.appuals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/windows-needs-your-current-credentials.png","width":1200,"height":169 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Share via Email Print ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hardeep KaurIT Support Assistant Email Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Hardeep is a passionate technical writer with more than 7 years of experience. 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