Windows 11 bug hides password icon on lock screen — but the button still works

Microsoft has confirmed a quirky Windows 11 bug that can make the password sign-in icon vanish from the lock screen after recent updates, leaving some users wondering how to log in — even though the actual button still works.

Normally, Windows 11 only shows the password icon when multiple sign-in methods are configured — for example, a combination of PIN, password, security key, or fingerprint. If a user relies solely on a password, the OS simply displays the password field by default, so nothing appears broken in that scenario. The bug affects users who do have several authentication options enabled.

Microsoft says the issue appears on Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 after installing the August 2025 KB5064081 preview update or any later update. In these cases, the password icon is no longer rendered in the Sign-in options list, creating the impression that password login is unavailable.

In reality, the control is still there — it is just not rendered correctly, appearing as an empty space. According to Microsoft’s updated support documentation, hovering the cursor over the empty space where the icon should be reveals a clickable area. Selecting it opens the password field as usual, allowing the user to enter credentials and sign in normally.

For now, Microsoft has not offered a permanent workaround beyond using this hidden control and says a proper fix is in development, though no release timeline has been announced.

The missing icon is only the latest headache linked to the recent KB5064081 update. In late September, Microsoft patched a bug that caused freezing, playback interruptions, or black screens when running DRM-protected video in Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital TV applications. The company also had to address failed app installations for non-admin accounts triggered by unexpected User Account Control prompts, along with severe lag and stuttering in NDI-based streaming software on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.