"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
    2025-06-08T02:55:07+00:00

    Hi there!

    I have the same issue as you and the way I fix it was to reset the PIN using Microsoft and it should let you in

    It works on me so you can try:)

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-23T05:53:20+00:00

    After 2 days of being locked out of my laptop I'm finally typing this on my laptop. There are many ways to fix this problem including the use of the recovery environment or resetting your pin using "forgot PIN" but for me I couldn't get into recovery environment or reset my PIN.

    What worked for me, is first entering my PIN after which "This sign-in option is disabled" pops up and then waiting the two hours after which it let me log in with my PIN. KEEP IN MIND that when waiting the two hours you HAVE to keep the screen from going into sleep mode/turning off or else the timer will reset, you can do this by pressing keys while waiting. (I just kept my left hand on my laptop pressing random keys every 10-ish seconds) after 2 hours the prompt to enter in a pin should be there again and you should be able to login as long as you didn't reset the timer. If this worked for you and you're in, you should do as another user said, (sorry I couldn't find your original reply but thank you) and go to Settings, Sign-in options, scroll down to additional settings and turn off "only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device" this should let you enter your password when logging into your computer so you don't have to use your PIN. Hopefully this works as well as it did for me for others, good luck.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-12-05T05:32:02+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

    (So, Here is problem:)

    1st problems:

    If there is no other sign in option because did you using hello pin window or any type of hello windows?

    2nd Problems:

    If there is show up and you forget the password go to sign in option to change it the passwords.

    (How to solve it:)

    1st Problem solve:

    You should have to wait until 2 hours. While the power is on but do not shut it down or sleep button because it will restart the time AGAIN.

    2nd Problem solve:

    Go to ( SIGN-IN OPTION ) And show up the Gmail and password if you forgot then change into ( forgot password ).

    They will send the link from your Gmail.

    Thanks me later stranger friends 😀👍.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-10-29T02:48:06+00:00

    That's nothing to do with this issue. Please look elsewhere for this.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-10-22T17:17:04+00:00

    It is because window hello pin repeated too many attempt get disable so that is why you should probably wait 2 hours while pc is on not off. If u remember the pin or password and if not remember there is no reset or restore because of Microsoft accounts are disable anytime.

    If you don't remember password from microsoft you should change in ( i forgot my password ). Or it also has website go to the Microsoft.com.

    Sign in option is tell you to put Window Hello Pin / Biometric / Facelock and much more.

    Ok if you don't understand what am i just say so i will reply soon.

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