Windows 11 24H2 Update Removes Password Icon From Lock Screen Sign-In Options

Microsoft has officially acknowledged a display bug affecting Windows 11 version 24H2 users after installing recent cumulative updates, particularly those released since August 2025.

The issue causes the password icon to vanish from the lock screen sign-in options, creating confusion for users attempting to authenticate with their passwords.

While the underlying functionality remains intact and operational, the missing visual indicator has prompted numerous user reports and prompted Microsoft to document the issue as a known problem requiring resolution.​

The bug was first introduced with the non-security preview update KB5064081 (build 26100.5074) released in late August 2025, and has persisted through subsequent cumulative updates, including the September updates and beyond.

This widespread issue affects both Windows 11 24H2 and the newer 25H2 versions. It affects any system with multiple sign-in methods enabled, such as PIN, password, Windows Hello biometric authentication, or security keys.

The problem manifests as a completely invisible button that users would typically use to select the password authentication method from the available sign-in options on the lock screen.

Understanding The Display Glitch

Microsoft clarifies that this is purely a rendering or display error, not a functional problem with password authentication itself.

The password sign-in capability continues to work correctly; only the button’s visual representation has been removed from the user interface.

Users experiencing this issue can still authenticate using their passwords by hovering over the blank space where the icon should appear.

When hovering in this area, the invisible button becomes interactable, and clicking it opens the password text box for credential entry, allowing normal login completion.

The technical nature of this bug relates to the graphical rendering of authentication UI elements during the system update process.

The servicing stack update KB5064531 (version 26100.5074), which installs Windows updates and ensures robust update deployment, was included in the problematic cumulative updates.

While the servicing stack update itself serves legitimate quality-improvement purposes to improve update installation reliability, the combination with cumulative updates introduced this rendering issue.

Workaround and Resolution Status

For users affected by the missing password icon, Microsoft recommends the immediate workaround: locate the blank space in the sign-in options row, hover the cursor over the area where the password icon typically appears, and click the invisible placeholder to trigger the password authentication interface.

While this requires users to know where the button should be positioned, it provides functional access to password-based authentication without additional complications.

Microsoft has confirmed that this issue is addressed in subsequent updates, most notably KB5065426 from September 2025.

The company has added this bug to its official known issues list and stated that active development efforts are underway to permanently restore the missing icon.

Users encountering this problem are advised to check Windows Update for the latest cumulative updates, which include fixes for this display rendering issue.

Going to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates ensures devices receive the necessary fixes addressing the password icon visibility problem.

The incident underscores the importance of thorough quality assurance testing before releasing system updates, particularly those affecting critical authentication interfaces that users depend on daily for device access.

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