"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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

592 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-09-22T04:43:25+00:00

    Not only did hubby have the same problem a few months ago, but its happened AGAIN. I totally regret getting him that laptop. Complete waste of £500. Should have put a little more money in and got him the same one I have.

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-09-15T14:49:22+00:00

    60 wpm you say? And yet accuracy of only, let's be generous, 50%? And I'm guessing, maybe 13 years old? 12? Does your mum know you're still out of bed?

    Now go and 'helf' someone else, fool.

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-09-15T14:27:57+00:00

    Wow. You really took the time to write all this about your cat, but didn't take the time to read my post, or any of the thread? I'm guessing you got ChatGPT to do the rest. But hey, whatever passes the time.

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-09-15T11:14:36+00:00

    have you tryed to go to log into hotmail on another computer, sometimes your keyboard is the problem, if not the computer problem this is easy to fix , it happens to me all the time ,when my cat dances on my laptop when im in the shower.

    i just restarted the computer, and click forgot pin link below where you type the pin, and follow that to log in with my password (microsoft password that is same has hotmail or outlook site) then it tells me to reset pin and i reset it to the same as it was and im in. never had to wait on this ), say if you cant log into microsoft hotmail on another computer , they you have a bigger problem, you need to add a cell or another email account that you can access , to your hotmail account so it can send you a code to reset it on the fly, , if every thing else faild, you can hack into the pc acount , need to be technical for that to replace a file in dos (rest is on google), or you can shrink the partition and to another install on the other partition to get files is reason for this method. , last but not lease , boot to the windows usb it free to create with the media creation tool from microsoft site, , (on other pc of course), delete all partitions and click next to fresh install . going forward , create a local account on the pc so you can always log in, the online account that you have is a bit problematic.

    cheers.

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-09-07T16:35:40+00:00

    Appreciate your frustration David , but assuming Microsoft have a brain cell within their ranks , and assuming they read this Forum ( embarrassing it might be for them ) why do they not move to fix this issue . Seems they are brain dead and really do not care . No customers should have to compensate for their inept programming skills. !! It's like Ford selling a Mondeo and customer finds only three wheels on it , and Fords answer would be "well fit the spare tyre", its in the boot. !!!

    0 comments