"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
    2024-09-08T02:11:29+00:00

    Bonjour. Je suis sur Windows 10 et je suis également désactivé pour 2 heures... Et si je me déconnecte et reconnecte savez-vous la raison ? Les blue screen erros que vous ne semblez toujours pas avoir fait de mise à jour pour corriger celà. J'ai tout vérifié mes composantes hardware et non, sa semble vraiment être encore quelques choses qui entre en conflit avec votre fameux interface utilisateur. Windows je commence très sérieusement à songer à Linux.........

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-09-03T15:07:17+00:00

    Microsoft has to do this to keep staff employed. It's called "Job Security". Sucks for us though.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-08-18T12:33:35+00:00

    Hi everyone I would like to share a tip

    So that you can handle this situation easily in future .

    In my case I had Microsoft authenticator app in my phone and I have already added my Microsoft account and even lot of other accounts to that.

    so if you have the authenticator app

    You don't need to remember any password

    And it's makes easy to access any account through approval given from the phone.

    I have done this to solve the problem

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-08-17T08:28:56+00:00

    Just tell me why this issue happened

    I was first in windows 7

    No problem at all but changed to win 10 for security reasons

    Everything was fine until recent update

    That update creates issues with my Bluetooth connection (automatically disconnect and never connect again, have to pair it again by forgetting device)

    Then pop ups shows me daily to upgrade to windows 11

    So I do upgraded

    But got more issues like gta 5 crashes

    Slowed performance

    Bluetooth issues

    Can't see protection history (crashes)

    And now

    This signing in problem

    You guys working in this huge company with lots of great staff

    Then why there is flaws in every little things

    For example if I solve this problem then tomorrow there will be new problem

    Like dude I want to work not to waste my time in fixing these issues every other day

    Now please don't tell me that your system doesn't meet minimum requirements for win 11

    Your genius windows 10 told me that it supports and will work good

    If you have these issues with windows 11 why are you forcing users to update to windows 11

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-08-03T08:21:42+00:00

    So I selected reset pin then it asked me to log in with my Microsoft account. I did so but sadly it didn't let me change PIN.

    I tried again and this time I also selected forgot password for my Microsoft account login. I was then able to change Microsoft password then I was able to change PIN and login OK.

    I didn't really want to change my Microsoft account password but I didn't mind to much as it was the only way of accessing my computer because of this problem than Microsoft haven't fixed. Seriously thinking of switching to LINUX now plus Windows 11 virtual machine.

    By the way I used text messages verification code when changing Microsoft Account password.

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