"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
    2023-08-10T17:11:02+00:00

    It's happened to me a couple of times now. But I think my last action fixed it. I did 2 things: I selected "forgot my PIN"; it let me login to my microsoft office account. Then I canceled out of the option to change my PIN. I also went to Settings, Accounts, Sign in Options, Additional settings, Then toggled to "never" for option "If you've been away, should Windows require you to sign in again".

    I logged out of my microsoft office account, powered down my laptop, powered it back up and was able to login with my original PIN.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T14:03:36+00:00

    annoying i have only seen it with pin setup, i have had this about 5 times in the last year on win 10 and 11 , i have several pc's, but i have always been able to fix it right away, i have never had to use the leave the computer on method, i just click forgot pin and it lets me login with my microsoft account password instead of the pin, then it askes to change the pin , and i change it to the same exact pin (been using the same pin for years so i want the same pin anyways), , and im in,

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T12:25:58+00:00

    I finally found a way. I signed up on my computer using the I forgot my PIN button. I let the computer on for a DAY (still logged on my computer). Then the system let me change my PIN. I restarted the computer and was able to sign on my computer using the new pin. Hope this will work for you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T03:32:11+00:00

    Problem has been solved by myself.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-08-09T17:52:10+00:00

    I am having the same problems, but I waited the 2 hours and it kept doing it. I also made sure to keep it plugged in and on for the two hours and the message still came up

    I was able to cheat past it by doing the "I forgot my pin" option, but then it wouldnt let me change my pin.

    Windows hello no longer works either.

    The laptop had been fine till now and it hasn't fixed

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