"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
    2023-07-06T16:31:19+00:00

    How about you all fix the damn problem? I too, did not forget my pin, nor has anything else changed other than some idiot update after which I was unable to use my computer due to this error. I WANT IT FIXED, I have data on my computer that is VERY important to me that I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE. So, tell me how in God's name to fix the problem without losing my data, and how do I keep this from happening again.

    I've done the 'reset' and the issue STILL occurs so I want someone to reach out to me and help me fix it.

    To say I'm disappointed with Microsoft is quite the understatement, I've been using Microsoft products since Dos 1.1 and I've NEVER had such an issue before to where I lost my highly valuable (to me at least) data.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-07-03T06:08:04+00:00

    This is MicroCrap. If anyone interested in class action lawsuits, let's get this party going. This company purely sucks with full of incompetent people.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-06-22T18:18:22+00:00

    This is ridiculous! Just like R00_ l randomly suddenly cannot sign into my PC! What the hell was Microsoft thinking! 2 hours!! I've never heard of anything so ridiculous! Try telling your client you cannot deliver on a project because you have to wait 2 hours before you can sign in! SORT THIS OUT!

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-06-09T06:57:12+00:00

    I had this issue, i fixed it by trying to login for a few times. Then i clicked on forgot pin. Sent email to myself and used the code to get back in my laptop. After that i changed my pin in settings and restarted the laptop. after restart it says the same 'the sing.... then did the forgot pin again and after that I let it off for a night and in the morning it had my new pin installed, everything is back to normal, except i have a new pin code

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-06-06T16:08:49+00:00

    Hello,

    I just experienced this same issue. I didn't solve it but I did find a way to access my PC. Also it gave me the same message even when I left it on for 2 hours or tried to switch users.

    So what I did was wait for my screen to go black so that when i put it back on it asked for my pin.

    The clicked forget pin which prompts me to put in my Microsoft account password, then my backup email address. It then sends me a code and when I put in the code I am ask whether I want to proceed with a pin change or not. I then click cancel and it brings me to my desktop. I'm now going to use the laptop for the rest of the day and if the problem persists I'll either.

    1. Remove my pin then put it back.

    Or

    1. Change the pin completely to see if it solves anything.

    If I don't come back here then it most likely sorted itself out.

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