How to fix Error 1323 on Windows 11

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Windows 11 Error 1323: Unable to Update Password

Why This Error Happens

Error 1323 typically occurs when the Windows installer or account management process detects that the current password contains characters incompatible with the update mechanism, or when the account attempting the change lacks the necessary local security permissions. This error is also commonly triggered when the user profile is tied to a Microsoft account but the system is attempting a local NTLM-style password change, causing a mismatch in credential verification. Additionally, domain-joined machines with broken trust relationships or expired Group Policy tokens can cause the current password hash to be rejected even if typed correctly.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

Step 1: Verify Account Type and Sign-In Method

  • Navigate to Settings > Accounts > Your Info to check if the profile is a Local Account or Microsoft Account.
  • If it is a Microsoft Account, you must update the password via account.microsoft.com rather than the local Control Panel, as local resets will trigger Error 1323 due to sync conflicts.
  • Ensure there are no trailing spaces or special Unicode characters (like em-dashes or foreign language symbols) in the current password field.

Step 2: Reset via Command Prompt (Local Admin Method)

  • Open the Start Menu, search for cmd, and select Run as Administrator.
  • Execute the following command to bypass the GUI verification bug: net user [YourUsername] *
  • Press Enter, then type the new password when prompted (note: the cursor will not move or show characters during input).
  • Press Enter again to confirm the new password.

Step 3: Check Local Security Policy for Restrictions

  • Press Win + R, type secpol.msc, and hit Enter to open the Local Security Policy editor.
  • Navigate to Account Policies > Password Policy.
  • Verify that “Minimum password age” is not set to a value greater than 0 days, as this specific setting frequently blocks immediate password changes and triggers the 1323 error message.
  • Set “Enforce password history” to 0 temporarily if you are trying to reuse a recent password, then attempt the change again.

Step 4: Disconnect and Reconnect Domain/Work Account

  • If the device is connected to a work or school network, go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
  • Select the connected account and click Disconnect.
  • Restart the PC, log back in with the local cached credentials, and attempt the password change again before reconnecting to the domain.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Verification: Lock the workstation (Win + L) and attempt to log back in using the newly set password to ensure the credential vault has updated correctly across the OS.
  • Alternative: If the command line method fails, boot into Safe Mode (via msconfig) and attempt the password reset there, as third-party antivirus software often blocks the lsass.exe process required for standard password verification.