"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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  2. Anonymous
    2023-05-29T21:14:08+00:00

    Great answer thank you

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-05-29T18:23:30+00:00

    I am having the same problem. I've had this laptop for 4 years, and always used same pin to open home screen.

    It says use another option to sing in, but no other option is given other than pin code.

    I do everything on my laptop and whilst it has all info backed up, ìt is useless if I can't access it.

    Has anyone had any success in resetting their computer?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-05-28T11:05:10+00:00

    I found this problem occurred because I was trying to sign in when num lock was disabled. So the attempt failed and provided this error message.

    Step one: check that your num lock is turned on when you reattempt login; or retry using the number key at the top row of your keyboard

    I discovered this when I clicked "Forgot my PIN", entered my Microsoft password and selected a security code by email. I noticed I could not enter the code because my num lock was turned off. So I canceled my new PIN request and I was promptly logged in to my device (because I had entered my MS password). But if your MS password contains a number and you try to enter it with a number pad with the num lock turned off, this password will also fail.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-05-27T02:28:10+00:00

    Hi, I am also experiencing a similar issue and it is truly heartbreaking. I tried doing shift restart f5, locking and resetting my Laptop but none of those options would be carried out. For example, if I tried to rest my laptop, the laptop say it ran into an error and would not reset.

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