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| Windows 11 update hides password login option |
If you booted up your Windows 11 computer recently and found yourself staring at a lock screen with a seemingly missing password option, you're not alone, and you haven't lost your mind. Microsoft has officially confirmed a bizarre and frustrating bug that causes the password sign-in icon to vanish from the lock screen, leaving users who rely on multiple sign-in methods in a temporary state of confusion.
The good news? Your password login hasn't been deleted. The bad news? You have to know a little secret to find it.
What’s Actually Happening on the Lock Screen?
Normally, when you have multiple ways to sign in to your Windows 11 device—such as a PIN, a password, a fingerprint, or a security key—the lock screen presents you with a menu of icons to choose from. This is standard operating procedure, giving you the flexibility to use your preferred authentication method.
The bug, which Microsoft has detailed in its support documentation, disrupts this visual cue. After installing certain recent updates, the password icon simply fails to render. In its place is what looks like an empty, blank space. For a user looking to type in their traditional password, it creates the immediate and alarming impression that the option is completely gone.
It's important to note that this issue only affects users who have multiple sign-in options configured. If you use only a password, Windows 11 always shows the password field by default, so you wouldn't notice anything amiss.
Who is Affected and What Triggered It?
According to Microsoft, the ghostly icon issue appears on devices running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. The culprit seems to be the August 2025 KB5064081 preview update or any subsequent updates released after it.
This isn't the first time this particular update has caused headaches. As reported by BleepingComputer, the KB5064081 update has been linked to several other problems, including playback issues with DRM-protected video and severe lag in streaming software, making it a particularly problematic release for Microsoft.
The Simple (But Hidden) Workaround
So, how do you log in if the password icon is invisible? The solution is simpler than you might think, though it requires you to know where to look.
Microsoft explains that the password button is still functionally there; it's just visually absent. The company's official guidance is to move your mouse cursor to the area on the lock screen where the sign-in options are listed. Hover over the blank spaces, and your cursor should change, indicating a clickable area. Clicking on this invisible button will instantly bring up the familiar password field, allowing you to log in as you normally would.
For the official word from Microsoft, you can review their updated support document here: Microsoft Support KB5064081.
Is a Permanent Fix on the Way?
For now, this "click the invisible box" method is the only workaround Microsoft is offering. The company has acknowledged that a proper software fix is in development and is being prioritized by its engineers. However, in their statement, they did not provide a specific timeline for when a patch will be released via a future Windows Update.
This missing icon bug is the latest in a string of issues that have plagued recent Windows updates, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring stability in a massively complex operating system. For users caught in this situation, the key takeaway is to remember the hidden workaround—a little faith and a click in the right spot will get you back into your system until Microsoft makes the password icon reappear for good.