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Is the Windows 11 Sign-In Button Missing for You?
Microsoft has identified a peculiar glitch in Windows 11 affecting user accessibility on the login screen. A specific bug hides the “password” icon within the sign-in options menu. Typically, users rely on a PIN or Windows Hello (fingerprint/face ID) for daily access. However, when these methods fail or a user forgets their PIN, the traditional password option becomes critical.
Normally, clicking “Sign-in options” reveals an icon resembling a key (for passwords) alongside the keypad icon (for PINs). This new issue renders the key icon invisible, leaving a blank space where the button should be. While the visual element is missing, the functional button remains active underneath the empty interface.
Affected Windows Versions
This visual defect stems from recent updates. If your system runs any of the following builds, you may encounter this error :
- November 11 Update: KB5068861 (Builds 26200.7171 / 26100.7171)
- October 28 Update: KB5067036 (Builds 26200.7019 / 26100.7019)
- October 20 Update: KB5070773 (Builds 26200.6901 / 26100.6901)
- October 14 Update: KB5066835 (Builds 26200.6899 / 26100.6899)
- September 29 Update: KB5065789 (Build 26100.6725)
- September 22 Update: KB5068221 (Build 26100.6588)
- September 9 Update: KB5065426 (Build 26100.6584)
- August 29 Update: KB5064081 (Build 26100.5074)
Microsoft’s Official Workaround
The current solution provided by Microsoft requires users to interact with invisible UI elements. Although the icon is hidden, the interactive link persists in its original location.
To bypass this issue:
- Navigate to the sign-in screen.
- Select “Sign-in options.”
- Hover your mouse cursor over the empty space where the password key icon usually sits.
- Click the empty area. This action triggers the hidden button, revealing the password entry text box.
- Enter your credentials to log in normally.
This workaround serves as a temporary fix while Microsoft engineers develop a patch to restore the visual icon.
Recent Windows Stability Issues
This password bug joins a series of recent stability challenges for Windows 11 users following the October 2025 cycle. Quality control for recent patches has faced significant scrutiny due to multiple high-impact errors .
Recent critical failures include:
WinRE Peripheral Failure
The October Patch Tuesday update disabled mouse and keyboard functionality within the Windows Recovery Environment, complicating system repairs. An emergency update addressed this.
LocalHost Service Breakage
Developers faced disruptions when an update inadvertently broke the LocalHost service, preventing local hosting of apps and websites.
Task Manager Performance Drain
A bug caused the Task Manager to duplicate processes, ironically degrading the system performance it is meant to monitor.
Gaming Performance Drops
Nvidia confirmed that the October 2025 update negatively impacted gaming frame rates, necessitating a separate hotfix driver from the GPU manufacturer.
If you manage critical systems, pause non-essential updates until Microsoft stabilizes these recurring quality assurance issues. Monitor official support channels for a permanent fix regarding the sign-in UI glitch.