"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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-22T14:29:30+00:00

    Microsoft is nuisance. I am boycotting Microsoft they are really cheap and disgusting after their updates hardware don't work for no reason error comes up. That the reason apple thrives. Microsoft developers should be put in Asylum for being just stupid.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-21T19:38:44+00:00

    Microsoft went too far with this. This is obviously a bug.

    I had to reset my PC!!! Now I made just one mistake in entering the PIN and the PC is locked again.

    This is absolutely mad.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-20T06:53:37+00:00

    Same issue, accept that my only other sign in option is I forgot my pin, which I didn't. Then it tryst to make me reset pin:

    Steps:

    1. I forgot pin
    2. put in password and verify email with code

    3)are you sure you want to reset your pin?

    1. continue

    5)something went wrong, we cannot reset you pin, try to skip or retry

    1. repeat
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  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-16T07:38:04+00:00

    Hey all!

    I'm having this same exact issue on my computer and it's Nov. 2023! So, I decided to check out this reply chain and

    I totally started to read thru the replies to this original conundrum but then realized that there were 2hundred and some odd number of them and.... yeah, I'm not doing that.

    So, here is what I got off the HPCommunity forum in 2017:

    "This is happening because Windows cannot start/boot. It may be caused due to hardware problem (e.g. your HDD) or it may be caused by faulty Windows Update, some other faulty update/driver/program.

    A. Try restarting the computer.

    B. Perform hard reset/restart:

    1. Long press the power button; hold it for 5-10 seconds until the PC shuts down then release.

    2. Wait another 5-10 seconds and press the button again to start the PC."

    (I tried both A. Then B. Neither option worked or changed anything.)

    If it doesn't change the outcome, try this:

    C. Perform some basic hardware checks to rule out hardware problem:

    1. Shutdown the computer again; Long press the power button for 10 to 15 seconds.

    2. Power the computer back on.

    **After you press the power button, immediately begin hitting ESC over and over again (like tap-tap-tap) before any logo appears. This will open an HP START-UP MENU.**

    3. Choose F2 to open System Diagnostics. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform these 2 tests:

    **This will check major hardware components for issue. Do it just in case.** Here is more info: >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03467259#AbT1

     i. Hard Drive Check >> Quick Check.

    ii. Memory Test

    (If there are no HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM Check (memory check) tests, perform System Checks/Quick Tests.)

    *If the tests PASS w/o issues, continue.*

     D. Repeat steps 1-2 above but when HP Startup menu opens, please choose F11 for System Recovery options.

    The computer should boot from it's recovery partition to open you various recovery options. Note, that F11 option will only work if the recovery partition is there (not deleted) and intact. From there, you have prenty of options to choose from. Every HP computer comes with recovery partition present to assist in tough moments.

    Perform "System Restore" before all other options in an attempt to fix or reconcile the issue. Doing so will restore your system to the way it was before the issue(s) arose. This is called a RESTORE POINT or ACCESS POINT.

    Here is more info:

    >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

    >> https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html

    I am currently still in this boot loop, I guess it's called. I bypassed my pin issue buy now the darned thing just continues to restart itself.... anyone who wants to add any advice, please do!

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-11-10T19:51:01+00:00

    I’m not sure if this feature is available on home, but if you see the ability to change your password or pin that login screen, we are locked out. change it. in my experience, I didn’t have to actually even change it just go through the process. That’s how I got back in immediately.

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