Microsoft accounts provide additional benefits like syncing across devices, access to apps such as Calendar and Microsoft Office, and more. However, if you encounter the error “We can’t sign into your account” while trying to sign in, don’t worry — we’re here to help!
Before diving into troubleshooting, ensure that your login credentials are entered correctly. If you’re still having trouble, follow these simple steps to resolve password verification issues, locked accounts, and other Microsoft account login problems.
No expertise is required—just follow our guide and get back to using your Microsoft account in no time!
What is the “We Can’t Sign Into Your Account” Error and What Causes It?
The “We can’t sign into your account” error typically occurs when Windows 10 users try to sign into their Microsoft account, which is different from a local user account. This error can make it nearly impossible to access essential Microsoft apps, such as Microsoft Office or tools like Calendar.
While Windows 10 can function without a Microsoft account, it’s highly recommended to fix this error to unlock the many benefits associated with using a Microsoft account.
There are multiple potential causes for this issue:
1️⃣ Windows 10 Updates:
Many users report that this error began appearing after installing major Windows 10 updates. While updates generally fix bugs, they can sometimes cause new ones.
2️⃣ Antivirus Interference:
Some antivirus software, like Kaspersky or Eset , may interfere with your Microsoft account login. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, these apps might be contributing to the issue.
Let’s go through some troubleshooting steps to resolve this error quickly!
How to Fix “We Can’t Sign Into Your Account” Error on Windows 10
Prerequisites
Before we start fixing the “We can’t sign into your account” error, there are a few things you should do to ensure the repair process goes smoothly:
1️⃣ Backup Your Data (Optional):
We recommend backing up your essential data on an external drive before beginning the troubleshooting steps. Some fixes may involve modifying account settings, which could lead to data loss under certain circumstances.
You can find your user folder in C:\Users, which is a good place to start when backing up your files.
2️⃣ Gain Access to an Administrator Account:
You’ll need an administrator account to apply some of the fixes. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to use a local account that has admin privileges to proceed.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re ready to start troubleshooting. Below are several methods to fix the sign-in error, and we recommend trying each one to see which works best for your system. If the error happens again, you’ll know exactly what to do. 🚀
Solution 1: Restart Your Device
The easiest fix for this issue is often restarting your device. Microsoft suggests rebooting your computer a few times and attempting to sign in each time.
While some users report that this simple solution works, many others find that it doesn’t resolve the issue. If multiple restarts don’t solve the problem, it’s time to move on to more advanced fixes.
Solution 2: Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus Software
Sometimes, antivirus applications can cause issues with your Windows 10 system, particularly conflicts that interfere with your Microsoft account login. These applications are feature-packed, which means certain configurations might clash with Windows settings and cause login errors.
To check if your antivirus is the culprit, try temporarily disabling it and see if the issue gets resolved. Here’s how you can do this:
1️⃣ Right-click on an empty space in your taskbar and choose Task Manager.
2️⃣ If it opens in compact mode, click the More details button at the bottom-left corner of the window.
3️⃣ Go to the Start-up tab at the top of the Task Manager window.
4️⃣ You’ll see a list of programs that start up with your computer. Locate your antivirus and click on it.
5️⃣ Click on the Disable icon in the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager.
6️⃣ Restart your computer. This will prevent your antivirus from automatically starting, allowing you to attempt logging into your Microsoft account.
If you can successfully log in, it’s likely that your antivirus was causing the issue. You should then reach out to the customer support of your antivirus provider for further assistance.
Solution 3: Run the System File Checker (SFC)
The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that can help fix a variety of system issues by scanning and restoring corrupted or missing files. It’s an easy and automated process, and all you need to do is run a simple command.
Here’s how to use it:
1️⃣ Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2️⃣ Type in “cmd” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
3️⃣ If prompted, click Yes to grant administrative permissions.
4️⃣ In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” (without the quotation marks) and hit Enter.
5️⃣ Wait for the System File Checker to scan your system and fix any issues it finds. This process may take a few minutes.
Once the scan is complete, check if you can now log into your Microsoft account. This should help resolve any underlying system file problems causing the error.
Solution 4: Use the Registry Editor to Fix the Issue
You can resolve the “We can’t sign into your account” issue by making changes in the Registry Editor. However, modifying the registry can be risky, so it’s essential to backup your data before proceeding. Follow the steps below carefully to ensure a successful fix:
1️⃣ Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2️⃣ Type “regedit” and click OK. This will open the Registry Editor.
3️⃣ In the Registry Editor, use the arrow icons to navigate to this path:
Computer\HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL\StoredIdentities.
4️⃣ Locate the sub-folder that matches your Microsoft account’s email address, then right-click on it and select Delete.
5️⃣ Close the Registry Editor and attempt to add your Microsoft account again.
By deleting this folder, you’re essentially clearing the stored identity data for your account, which should help resolve any sign-in issues.
Solution 5: Run a Command in the Command Prompt
Running commands in Command Prompt can be a powerful solution to fix Windows issues, and this method is safe when executed correctly. Follow the steps below carefully to fix the “We can’t sign into your account” error:
1️⃣ Boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt. If you’re unsure how to do this, you can refer to a video tutorial for guidance on booting into Safe Mode.
2️⃣ Once you’re in Command Prompt, enter the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each line:
net user /add useraccountname mypassword
net localgroup administrators useraccountname /add
net share concfg*C:\\\\/grant:useraccountname,full
net user useraccountname
3️⃣ Restart your computer normally and attempt to log into your Microsoft account again.
These commands will create a new user account with administrator privileges, which can help resolve login issues.
Solution 6: Update Windows 10
If the previous solutions didn’t resolve the issue, it’s time to update your Windows 10 system. Updates often fix bugs and system errors that could be preventing you from logging into your Microsoft account.
Here’s how you can update Windows 10:
1️⃣ Open Settings by clicking on the Start menu or pressing Windows + I.
2️⃣ Click on Update & Security.
3️⃣ In the Windows Update tab, click on the Check for updates button.
4️⃣ If a new update is found, click on Install to begin the update process.
After updating, restart your system and try signing in again.
Updating your system will help resolve any underlying issues that might be causing the “We can’t sign into your account” error.
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