"This sign-in option is disabled because of failed sign-in attempts or repeated shutdowns". I've been locked out of my laptop since last night and can't log back in. How do I fix this issue?

Reported
Anonymous
2022-01-28T09:51:54+00:00

So randomly last night (about 12 hours ago) my laptop with Windows 11 shows the above error message when I input my pin.

"This sign-in option is disabled because of failed sign-in attempts or repeated shutdowns. Use a different sign-in option, or keep your device powered on for at least 2 hours and then try again".

Prior to this, I used my laptop normally and everything was fine. I did not put in the pin several times and certainly not repeatedly shut down my laptop, so I'm not sure where this even comes from.

From what I understand, my only chances to log back in my laptop are to:

  1. Wait 2 hours WHILE the laptop is powered on.
  2. Use a different sign-in option (use password - and I have no idea what this password is lol).

I can't do solution 1 because my laptop powers down after like 30 seconds, so I cannot keep it powered on for 2 hours unless I press a button on my laptop every 29 seconds for 2 hours.

For solution 2, the different sign in method asks me to put in a password, not sure which password this is. It can't be the password that I use to log in to my Microsoft account online because it says that's incorrect.

Now, following from solution 2, I get the option to reset this password, by answering 3 memorable questions, but here too at least 1 of memorable questions is incorrect.

Can I get back into my laptop without having to factory reset everything?

Does anyone know if the 2 hours wait need to be consecutive?

Thanks all :)

EDIT: It has been 11 months and people still seem to have the same issue as me. Microsoft, please fix this bug / glitch. It's obviously causing a lot of headaches. I was able to simply factory reset my laptop as everything I had was backed up elsewhere, but I'm sure 90% of the people here cannot do this because the laptop still has vital stuff not backed up else where. Even if they could backup, it's a really long and painful process to set the laptop back up.

This really needs to be addressed asap please :)

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-19T02:27:44+00:00

    you just have to fully shut off the computer, hold down the power button for 10 seconds if you have to , turn it back on , and when at pin screen don't enter a pin, directly click forgot pin, make sure 1st on bottom right that if wifi its connected to internet, , when you click forgot pin you will be directed to a microsoft online sign in screen where you can log in with email and password but you will have to choose change pin but only glitch is you can change it to the same pin , but you will now be able to log in,

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  2. BryceSor 5,500 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-01-19T02:21:58+00:00

    Hi Goddass,

    Do you MSA to login to your computer, if you do, use another computer and logon to live.com, if your pin/password is correct and you can logon there you can change the pin/password setup to logon to your computer.

    Depending on the keyboard layout use the numbers across the top for pins.

    Do you use Authenticator app?

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-19T02:13:59+00:00

    Same issue, but it is still rejecting my PIN (which I am 100% sure of) and two other previous PINS. Then it tells me to use another signing option without giving me any. When I click on "I forgot my PIN" I again get the above-stated error message about waiting 2 hours (unreasonably long with work to do) yet still get caught in error loop. Nothing is working. Why hasn't this been fixed?

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-17T04:37:20+00:00

    How to opt for sign in option ?

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-01-13T13:42:37+00:00

    i have had a few customers where forgot pin link missing,, make sure online,,

    other than that only option i have has was to boot to windows 11 usb media,, free to make on other pc on ms site,,

    then can have option to reset pc and keep files,

    , last ,, fresh install if reset does not work,, will loose files unless use other data recover methods if need files,

    , also i dont think this is issue on latest version of win 11 24h2,, there are 4 version of windows 11,,

    2 links ,, info on version history , and other to create your windows 11 setup on usb stick,,

    Going forward , to limit impact by this issue,, i Create 2 user accounts on the pc,, 1 Local and 1 Microsoft .

    Windows 11 version history - Wikipedia

    Download Windows 11 latest 24h2 version, .

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