"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
    2025-04-21T06:50:48+00:00

    Lol, its ridiculous morons can't remember the password after setting a pin

    I'm just another Windows 11 user with the exact same problem that's been complained about since at least 2022 on these servers. Remembering the pin is NOT the problem. If I can't remember the pin, why am I able to login with it 2hrs later?

    Windows 11 just decides to lock me out randomly due to too many incorrect attempts when I only logged in once...and with the correct pin!!!

    I cannot wait 2 hours to login again! I have meetings which I need to attend on my laptop and I cannot afford the wait!

    This is unacceptable. I have read posts from 2022 with the same issue. Are you telling me that Microsoft can't figure out what this glitch is after 2-1/2 years?

    I guess that's why the PC costs less than the Macbook! We get what we pay for? We shouldn't be forced to reset our computers and go through what amounts to an entire weekend of re-installing software. That is if we actually have access to all of that deleted software. And, hopefully, we back up all of the files that we need. And, that is, if the person locked out of their computer can log back in. Luckily, I can use my pin to login after 2 hours, but I can't work this way. What's the fix? I'm getting extremely frustrated with Windows!!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-26T15:32:24+00:00

    there is no issue any longer,, what version of windows 11 do you have?,, there are 4

    Windows 11 version history - Wikipedia

    so i suggest you up date to the latest,, which is 24h2,

    its free here to install the latest released in 2024, here run the installation assistant to upgrade.

    Download Windows 11

    also bud the issue also was not Microsoft fully, mostly it was people who could not remember their password after creating a pin, lol, also have see the issue was a broken keyboard, lol,, and or their inadequate computer skills.

    the difference between us and them we figure it out and dont ask others for help\

    cheers.

    That's brilliant... I can't log in, so I should update it to the latest version. Uh-huh, like I can do that when I can't log in, and nevermind the fact that this problem came up when I updated to the latest version and my computer rebooted. Perhaps you did not read this, "After a Windows 11 update yesterday, it does not recognize my PIN." that was an update to the latest version.

    As for my keyboard not working, how would I be able to post this on the same computer using the Linux drive if that was the case?

    Regarding the PIN, well, that is part of the serial number of an NVME 2280 that I use as an external drive, so if I really need to check, I can just take it out of the enclosure. Of course, I had been using that PIN for over a year now anyway, so I think I would have it pretty well memorized.

    I was not asking for help, I was just commenting that the wait for two hours thing that Microsoft mentions is a complete joke. I reinstalled Windows 11, and will use it when necessary for work or training, but for the most part, I use Linux. It is nightmare-free.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-10T03:21:39+00:00

    That's not a very helpful reply. Your English isn't great unfortunately so that doesn't help. Maybe you shouldn't reply.

    Giacorri. I haven't seen it happen again so if it was a bad update then unfortunately I don't know which one it was.

    Two possible solutions were to leave it untouched for two hours and only then type in your pin. I cannot confirm or deny if this solution works.

    The other solution was to reset the TPM2 settings in your BIOS and see if this resolved the issue. Again, I can't confirm or deny this solution either Sorry mate. I hope you get it sorted. Or just do what I did and reset Windows completely. Worst resolution ever in my opinion.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-09T19:21:11+00:00

    This is absurd, hundreds of people experiencing this crappy situation and not a single reply from Microsoft.

    For the people that "fixed" this, did you really fix it? Or do you still get the error every time you try to boot your computer?

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-12-04T19:17:11+00:00

    Hi, so how did you sort this problem out because im having the same issue right now and need to fix it ASAP

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