"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
    2025-05-14T11:49:56+00:00

    Hello R, may I ask how you ended up resolving the problem. I have the exact same problem you described. Thank you

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-12T17:53:39+00:00

    its protecting your data and making sure only you can log in, so you have to re verify yourself with the password, and when you change pin can use the same pin, it just updates it, i add a cell to my ms account then its a bit esier to just get a txt with code to make sure you can get in even if password is forgotten which seems to happen to many, in next windows i read it will ask for your cell number during setup for this reason, ,

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-12T17:22:50+00:00

    I had the same issue with my son's laptop. Both mine and my son's accounts reported the same message. Even though I knew the pins and they were correct I still got the message.

    To fix it I selected the "I forgotten my pin" option. This then requires you to authenticate using the Microsoft account. Once you've done that you can enter a new pin and the message goes away.

    I suspect that, as the pin is meant to be a quick way to auth your MS account and can only be used on the machine they're generated on, they are given an expiration date and after that date you are meant to change them. The laptop is a couple of years old and this would have been the first time we changed the pins.

    If this is the problem then my guess would be that the pins have expired and MS is just not handling the error correctly. Rather then locking the account it should allow you in but force the pin to be changed.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-05-09T01:21:09+00:00

    In order to manage the account you can sign into your Microsoft account on any computer on the internet and now need to to make sure you would be able to create the same user account on new computer for eg, its a problem with your computer or windows is broken or you forgot your password if you cant log into your account on another computer , and if you log into microsoft.com on another computer you can add a cell phone to your account, then shut off fully the problem computer , and at sign in screen click forgot pin and follow that and can find option it will send you a txt and be able to change pin and just keep it the same and it just refreshes it and you be right back in, if cant still and as long as you can log into your account at microsoft.com on another computer then you need to re install windows , it can also happen for failing ssd,, virus , etc, Pin is not the password to the account its just a quick way to log in, you need the password you set to manage it .

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-05-09T01:05:01+00:00

    I have been logged out of my PC for around 6 hours and Im about to break something because I was signed in but I had to restart. When I try to sign back in I get an error saying I failed to attempt sign in when I only typed it once and didn't mess up. I restarted only once, I did advanced settings, system settings and repair and typed in my 48 digit code. I cant do anything and Im pissed that you cant fix it, I've wasted 6 hours when it never shoulda brought me to this situation. Fix this PROBLEM NOW!

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