Microsoft has issued a warning to Windows 11 users regarding a user interface bug introduced by updates released since August 2025, which may cause the password sign-in option to disappear from the lock screen. Although the option is not visibly displayed, Microsoft confirmed that the password sign-in feature remains functional.
How Sign-In Options Normally Work on Windows 11
On Windows 11, the lock screen dynamically displays sign-in options based on what authentication methods are configured for the user account. These options may include:
- Password
- PIN (Windows Hello)
- Fingerprint or facial recognition
- Security key
If a user has only one sign-in method enabled, such as a password, Windows typically does not show a selectable icon. Instead, it directly presents the password input field.
However, when multiple sign-in methods are enabled, Windows normally displays icons that allow users to choose their preferred authentication method.
Details of the Bug
According to updated Microsoft support documentation published this week, the issue affects systems that:
- Are running Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2
- Have installed the August 2025 KB5064081 non-security preview update or any subsequent updates
- Have multiple sign-in options enabled
In these cases, the password icon may not appear at all on the lock screen, even though other sign-in methods are available. This behavior is unintended and differs from the expected Windows 11 sign-in experience.
Invisible but Functional Password Button
Microsoft emphasized that the password option is still present, but visually hidden due to a UI rendering issue.
“If you hover over the space where the icon should appear, you’ll see that the password button is still available,” Microsoft explained.
Users can still sign in by:
- Moving the mouse cursor over the blank area where the password icon would normally be
- Clicking the invisible button
- Entering their password as usual
Once the password is entered, the sign-in process works normally.
No Official Workaround Yet
At this time, Microsoft has not provided a permanent workaround other than using the invisible button method. The company confirmed that it is actively investigating the issue but has not announced a timeline for when a fix will be released through Windows Update.
Other Issues Linked to the KB5064081 Update
The KB5064081 optional preview update has also been associated with several other notable problems, many of which Microsoft has already addressed.
DRM-Protected Media Playback Issues
In late September 2025, Microsoft resolved a known issue where the update caused:
- Playback interruptions
- Application freezing
- Black screens
These issues affected apps that play DRM-protected content, including Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital TV applications.
App Installation Failures and Performance Problems
Earlier in September, Microsoft fixed additional problems caused by the August 2025 updates, including:
- App installation failures for non-administrator users, triggered by unexpected User Account Control (UAC) prompts
- Severe lag and stuttering affecting systems running NDI (Network Device Interface) streaming software on both Windows 10 and Windows 11
WSUS and Windows Recovery Failures
Following the August 2025 Patch Tuesday release, Microsoft also had to respond to:
- A WSUS issue that caused security updates to fail with error code 0x80240069
- Critical failures in Windows reset and recovery features on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Enterprise devices
To mitigate these problems, Microsoft released out-of-band emergency updates to restore affected functionality.
Summary
The disappearing password sign-in option on the Windows 11 lock screen is the latest in a series of issues linked to the August 2025 update cycle. While the issue is primarily cosmetic and does not block access, it may confuse users and increase helpdesk calls, particularly in enterprise environments.
Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, confirmed that authentication remains secure and functional, and stated that a permanent fix is in progress.
