PC Bio Unlock - Troubleshooting

Failed to connect to the PC

This error can have many different reasons, as network configurations vary a lot. Here are some things you can try:

• Both devices have to be on the same local network, so please connect your phone and your PC to the same Wi-Fi, ideally your home Wi-Fi. Using a mobile hotspot does not work.
• If you haven't already, please check your firewall on your PC or router, as well as any antivirus or other program that monitors or blocks connections. As configuring the firewall varies between different software and router models, you might need to look up online how to do this for your setup. The app automatically detects Windows Defender, ufw and firewalld and adds a rule for them. By default, the app uses the ports 43295 (pairing), 43296 (unlocking) and 43297 (pairing discovery). They can be changed in the desktop app's settings.
• While pairing, your phone finds your PC automatically. If that does not work, for example when you are connected over a VPN, tick Use legacy pairing when selecting the pairing method. It uses the network interface from the desktop app's settings instead, so please make sure the correct one is selected there.

Can't log in to Windows/Microsoft account during pairing

Microsoft account: Please use your Microsoft account password. Passwordless accounts are not supported due to API limitations. If your account is passwordless, or if the app says that the password is incorrect even though it is correct, then please try the following, in this order:

1. If your account is passwordless, go to account.microsoft.com, open Advanced security options and select Turn off under Passwordless account. Then follow the prompts to add a password back to your account.
2. If you have no password option in the Windows settings or on the lock screen, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Additional settings and turn off For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device.
3. Change your Microsoft account password under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password or on account.microsoft.com. Afterwards sign out of Windows and sign back in by typing your new password instead of using your PIN, then try the pairing again.
4. Skip the password check. When the error message appears, tick Skip password check (not recommended) and press OK to continue the pairing. Note that the password is still used to log you in, so unlocking only works if it is correct.
5. If nothing helps, convert your Microsoft account to a local account under Settings > Accounts > Your info > Sign in with a local account instead. Your profile and your files stay as they are, but you have to choose a different user name. Afterwards set up the pairing again with the new user name and its password.

Local Windows account: Please use the normal account password. Do not use your Windows Hello PIN if you have that set up.

Unlock prompt takes a long time to appear, or only appears when I open the app

The app receives the unlock request in the background. Most manufacturers restrict background apps to save battery, which can delay the delivery considerably. Depending on your phone, the prompt then appears after a long wait, or only when you open the app.

Excluding the app from the battery restrictions solves this. The exact setting varies between manufacturers, so please refer to dontkillmyapp.com, which describes the steps for each phone. The setting can be changed back at any time.

I can't log in / I'm locked out of my account

If you are stuck at the login screen and can't log in with PC Bio Unlock, you can abort the process anytime by pressing Ctrl + Alt. In rare cases, a system update might break PC Bio Unlock functionality, making you unable to log in. If this occurs, you can temporarily remove the unlock module from your system like so:

Windows: Go to C:\Windows\System32 and delete win-pcbiounlock.dll. You can also open a command prompt as administrator and run del C:\Windows\System32\win-pcbiounlock.dll

Linux: Open the terminal and run rm /lib/security/pam_pcbiounlock.so

Note: On repeated failed login attempts, Windows and Linux automatically lock your user account for a specific amount of time, for example, 10 minutes. In that case, you need to wait until your account is unlocked again.