Error 0x80045c3c, We couldn’t sign you in Microsoft Account

A Microsoft Account is almost necessary when using a Windows computer, as most Windows apps that require a sign-in use Microsoft Account by default. As a user, you can encounter the error 0x80045c3c while signing in. We couldn’t sign you in Microsoft Account, which can be frustrating. But don’t worry; we will learn how to fix the error in this article.

Fix Error 0x80045c3c, We couldn’t sign you in Microsoft Account

This section will teach us four ways to fix the error 0x80045c3c in Windows. Each method works differently, so make sure to try all of them.

1. Clear Browsing Cache or Use Another Browser
2. Change TLS Version
3. Add Another Microsoft Account, and Then Add Existing Account Again
4. Clear App Cache

Let’s dive in!

1] Clear Browsing Cache or Use Another Browser

If you are trying to log in to your Microsoft Account on a browser, there are greater chances that the browser is malfunctioning or there are issues with piled-up cache. You can either try using another browser or clearing the cache.

• In most Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Opera), you can press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Del.
• This will bring up the Delete Browsing data window. Select the Time range (we recommend up to 7 days) from that.
• Then proceed by unselecting all the options other than Cached Images and Files.
• Now, click Clear Now to clear your browsing Cache.

You can also clear the Cookies and Site data by having it selected during this process. However, this will log you out from most websites, so you must log in again.

2] Change TLS Version

TLS or Transport Layer Security is the protocol that helps your PC establish a secure connection with sites, preventing hackers from dropping in the middle. Microsoft has deprecated TLS versions 1.0 and 1.1 and has made TLS 1.2 the default for connecting to Microsoft services; if your PC is using the older versions, you will face the Couldn’t sign you in Microsoft account error:

• Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows Start menu.
• Now, in the Control Panel, change the View by to Large Icons.
• Then, open Internet Options, and in the window that opens, go to the Advanced tab.
• Now, scroll down to find the Use TLS 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 options and ensure they are checked (especially TLS 1.2 and 1.3).
• Click Apply, and then Click OK to save the settings.

While you may be tempted to disable the obsolete TLS 1.0 and 1.1, it is essential to have them enabled, as some sites still use the older versions. When all the TLS options are enabled, the site or service that you are connecting to will automatically choose the one they prefer.

Read: How to enable DNS over TLS in Windows PC

3] Add Another Microsoft Account, and Then Add Existing Account Again

Adding another Microsoft Account to your PC or the browser creates a new authentication token for your account, which replaces the old faulty one and allows you to log in successfully. By adding a new account, you’re forcing Windows to create a new authentication token for your existing account, which may resolve any issues with the old token. You can also log in with a local account, which will help you achieve this.

4] Clear App Cache

If the error has occurred in an app, you can proceed by clearing the App Cache. Clearing the app cache allows it to delete temporary information and data that may be interfering with your login:

• Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows+I keys on your keyboard
• Now, go to System > Storage > Temporary Files.
• Please scroll down to find the Temporary Files option and check it.
• Click the Remove Files button to remove the App Cache for all apps that have stored it on your Windows PC.

Please note that this method can log you out of certain apps on your PC, and apps can be slow in the first instance after clearing the cache. You can also clear other temporary files here for optimal PC performance.

In this article, we learned how to fix Error 0x80045c3c, which means we couldn’t sign you into your Microsoft Account. We hope you found this article helpful.

Why does Microsoft not recognize my account?

Make sure you have the right type of account. If your workplace or school gave you the account, it might not be linked to a Microsoft account. In that case, you might need to create a new Microsoft account. Regular accounts can be used to log in to services like Outlook or Microsoft 365.

Why is my Microsoft account blocked from signing in?

Your Microsoft account might be blocked from signing in due to suspicious activity, multiple failed login attempts, or violating Microsoft’s terms of service. To protect your account, Microsoft temporarily blocks access. You may need to verify your identity or reset your password to regain access. Follow the provided instructions to unblock it.