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Did your Windows 11 login icon disappear after the latest update? Here is the fix.
You rely on your computer to work seamlessly. When basic functions like the login screen fail, it disrupts your entire day. Users running recent versions of Windows 11 are currently facing a baffling issue: the password button has vanished from the sign-in page.
This guide explains why this error occurs and provides a verified workaround to regain access to your desktop immediately.
Identifying the Problem
You may encounter this issue if you recently updated your system. The problem manifests simply. You boot your PC. You reach the lock screen. You expect to see the key-shaped password icon under the login field. Instead, you see empty space.
This visual bug affects specific system configurations. It impacts devices running Windows 11 version 24H2 and the newer version 25H2. The error does not mean your system is broken. It means the interface is failing to render the graphic element for the button.
The Technical Root Cause
Microsoft engineers introduced this flaw inadvertently. The glitch stems from the August 2025 non-security preview update, specifically identified as KB5064081.
Code within this update conflicts with the lock screen’s visual rendering engine. Consequently, the system draws the background but neglects to draw the password icon layer. Any cumulative update installed after August 2025 likely inherits this flaw until Microsoft deploys a corrective patch.
The “Phantom Click” Workaround
You can still sign in despite the missing icon. The button functionality remains active even though the graphic is invisible. The interface effectively hides the button, but the clickable zone exists.
Follow these steps to sign in:
- Locate the Area: Look at the bottom right of the sign-in screen where the password icon usually sits.
- Hover Your Mouse: Move your cursor over this empty space.
- Watch for Changes: Your cursor may change shape, or the empty box may highlight slightly.
- Click the Void: Click the empty area. The password text box will appear.
- Enter Credentials: Type your password and press Enter to access Windows.
If you use alternative sign-in methods like a PIN or fingerprint, these options should function normally. This bug primarily targets the specific “Password” input option.
Status of the Fix
Microsoft has acknowledged this defect. They have listed it internally and on release notes, though it appeared late on the public “Known Issues” dashboard. Their development team is currently coding a resolution.
You do not need to uninstall the update. Removing security updates often creates greater risks than UI bugs. We advise you to use the workaround described above. Expect a permanent solution in an upcoming “Patch Tuesday” release, likely deployed automatically via Windows Update.
Summary Advice: Do not panic. The button is there; you just cannot see it. Click the empty space, log in, and await the official repair.