"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
    2023-11-01T18:42:11+00:00

    This is a problem. I have an HP Envy laptop that I use facial recognition to access. Unfortunately, the camera has a hard time in direct sunlight so I have to use the keyboard. This lock-out has cost me hours of work because I can't use the laptop outdoors and have to wait two hours before I can use the keyboard method. Is there a way that I can disable this stupid stupid feature?

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-30T16:45:58+00:00

    first off thanks for trying to take time to talk about this issue. no disrespect, but are you saying the solution for having to wait two hours… is… wait two hours? that doesn’t seem like much of a solution. is there a workaround? any information on a registry change? input on how I will survive, having not been able to dump my ENRON stock as the market crashed? Is there a 2FA option that would allow bypass? or can Microsoft now just put me in ‘time out’ whenever it wants? if I am on the website for people who rent their computers, my mistake . my computer? I own it. again unaggressively stating that I think i can shut my pc off and turn it on until it breaks if i want to. take my copy of the new Taylor Swift record as an example: if I play Midnights four times in a row, Taylor Swift doesn’t storm into my house and rip out my earbuds. even while I’d welcome this possibility, Taylor’s actions would not be legal under the constitution so there’s that.. .

    also, I’m beginning to hear that this might only happen if it’s a local account right? Meaning that it wouldn’t happen if logging in through our Microsoft account.?

    thanks

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-30T08:52:04+00:00

    This is confusing. How do I login to my account now

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-25T13:18:42+00:00

    2 hours isn’t that big of a deal until you work on your computer

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