"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
    2025-02-07T09:37:23+00:00

    There is joke that feels less and less like a joke as the years roll on.

    How many Microsoft programmers does it take to change a light bulb?

    Zero, Microsoft simply defines darkness as the industry standard and tells everyone to ignore it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-07T01:47:25+00:00

    I'm running into the same issue now, in February 2025. Why can't Microsoft get this fixed by now?!

    Was able to sign into every device easily for years with pin, and today I got this bug on my work desktop!

    I'm on the verge of leaving the Microsoft ecosystem because of this, and having my desktop offline for a whole day due to this *unresolved after 2+ years* Microsoft bug.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-26T02:30:51+00:00

    The question should be why are the Microsoft developers so retarded to add such a stupid feature . you guys need to remove it's an annoyance and it's unnecessary

    .

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-12-17T03:38:44+00:00

    Microsoft isn't addressing the issue at all. I followed the instructions that was given when locked out. Being fed up, I just ended up reinstalling windows. Uneccessary work.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-11-15T20:09:05+00:00

    This is the ridiculous procedure to fix this without reinstalling, no this should not have happened in the first place, yes this is the fault of Microsoft for hiring low IQ groups who can't read or write and are vastly unqualified for the work they are hired to do.

    ** Moderator note - the following instructions are plagiarised from https://answers.microsoft.com/message/6b74331c-80b9-48f0-922e-ae6893e8c0cc?threadId=7ad14fca-f1a4-4382-8071-3aa770f0f63f**

    On the sign in page you are stuck on, click on the power icon on the lower right, hold down Shift key while you choose the restart option. This should boot the computer into WinRe environment.

    Now, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.

    In the command prompt window, type in "regedit" to launch the Registry Editor.

    In the Registry Editor, select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

    Now on the menu bar, click on File > Load Hive.

    In the pop up file selection window, go to This PC > C: drive > Windows > System32 > Config > Software. (Very imporant, it is C drive, not X drive). This should trigger a pop up box. Please enter "1234" for the Keyname.

    Back to the Registry Editor, Go to this path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\1234\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device

    Now on the right pane double click on "DevicePasswordBuildVersion", and change the data to 0.

    You can now restart the computer. And you will now find the "sign in options" to click on, and choose Sign in with Microsoft account, and please use the same Microsoft account you had been using and its credential to sign in.

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