"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
    2024-12-28T15:25:51+00:00

    Unbelievable, 2 years later and Microsoft still has yet to fix it!

    Thank goodness I tried the forget PIN suggestion from the community, reset my PIN, and viola, works as usual (for the time being).

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-11-16T13:36:41+00:00

    This is the ridiculous procedure to fix this without reinstalling, no this should not have happened in the first place, yes this is the fault of Microsoft for hiring low IQ groups who can't read or write and are vastly unqualified for the work they are hired to do.

    ** Moderator note - the following instructions are plagiarised from https://answers.microsoft.com/message/6b74331c-80b9-48f0-922e-ae6893e8c0cc?threadId=7ad14fca-f1a4-4382-8071-3aa770f0f63f**

    On the sign in page you are stuck on, click on the power icon on the lower right, hold down Shift key while you choose the restart option. This should boot the computer into WinRe environment.

    Now, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.

    In the command prompt window, type in "regedit" to launch the Registry Editor.

    In the Registry Editor, select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

    Now on the menu bar, click on File > Load Hive.

    In the pop up file selection window, go to This PC > C: drive > Windows > System32 > Config > Software. (Very imporant, it is C drive, not X drive). This should trigger a pop up box. Please enter "1234" for the Keyname.

    Back to the Registry Editor, Go to this path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\1234\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device

    Now on the right pane double click on "DevicePasswordBuildVersion", and change the data to 0.

    You can now restart the computer. And you will now find the "sign in options" to click on, and choose Sign in with Microsoft account, and please use the same Microsoft account you had been using and its credential to sign in.

    Hello, what should we do if we can't access c:? Because it won't let me in it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-11-10T17:23:54+00:00

    I have waited for 2hrs and Microsoft allows me to reset PIN by sending code to my email, now after resetting pin, when I am trying to enter the pin it is saying that "Something happen and your PIN is not available, Click to reset your pin again".

    So annoying....

    I have tried to reset pin again by clicking Set up my pin, but the result is zero, after clicking nothing happened.

    I don't know what king of solutions you are offering standard clients....

    please resolve it.

    This happen with Windows 11

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-10-26T15:10:34+00:00

    Yup! I just ran into this obstacle which cannot be overcome. Windows 11 Home laptop. User forgot his PIN, tried too enter too many times then got to the screen where the challenge phrase (A1B2C3) has to be entered. Then after that it says PIN option has been disabled due to too many incorrect attempts, the text asks the user to try signing in using a different method, but no alternative option is available. Game over. Booting into safe mode doesn't offer any different sign in options, a repair install of Windows choosing to keep files brings us back to the same login challenge screen. So the only way out of this nightmare scenario is to erase the internal drive and completely start afresh. Come on Microsoft this is so lame of you to create this situation whereby the user can't unlock the login in some way. Apple provides a way out of a lost password, so I'm sure you can do it too. Do better, please?

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-09-29T12:49:16+00:00

    Image

    i do service for a living,, had this many times,, You may need access to a 2nd device though to fix, and its easy to fix unless something is broken with windows,, you can reboot to get to this screen , hold down power button for 15 seconds to power off if have to, then follow this screen click I forgot my PIN , next options depends on how you have set up your account ie if have recovery phone or email setup to get code sent to sent a reset pin link, then you can change your pin here or change it to the same pin as before will still work, , a few times i could not get this screen,, so only option was to re install Windows,, if you don't know how to re install windows you are in the wrong forum,, google how to reset / reinstall windows or get help from someone who knows how. (its free, ( and can create your windows 10 or 11 dvd or USB on Microsoft site, you just need a little know how. and you don't need a product key if windows has been activated on the device previously those days are gone, works like apples activation since windows 8 days, 7 had to enter a key every install, now it will choose what version , home or pro if you have the key in your bios if OEM pc, ie dell ,hp, lenovo,, if you paid for pro upgrade, and it installs home , just go to microsoft store for windows pro upgrade , and it will be free as it will know your system board serial number and see you paid for pro upgrade previously.

    Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com) Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

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