"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
    2023-11-12T00:31:20+00:00

    Holaaa Microsoft please address this issue seriously

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-11T07:17:44+00:00

    Even after the"Sign-In option disabled wait for 2 hrs" msg you cannot open your computer then, maybe you should try keeping your computer 'on' till the 2 hrs bcz if your computer turns off then the msg would be of no use.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-10T15:51:28+00:00

    Nope. I've had this issue on multiple computers since this ticket was first created and even leaving it on for 24 hours doesn't resolve the issue.

    The host computer is not infected. They are all the Home edition so I can't use GPEDIT to unlock the account. The only thing I've done is enable the administrator profile and get them back up and running in that profile. Not ideal but at least it stops the system from then demanding they get permission from the inaccessible account.

    This is stupid Microsoft. Why haven't you fixed this yet? Or have you and you screwed it up, like you often do.

    How do you do this?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-07T11:06:48+00:00

    You are right....This issue bugs me a lot....I always had to wait for 2hours or s to use my laptop again. It may have been a technical issue bcz everytime the repeated sign-in attempts wasn't possible. Thanks a lot for this suggestion and Microsoft pls fix this issue. Regards.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-11-04T17:50:39+00:00

    How do I find my windows hello pin by using another device? I dont have access to my laptop because im experiencing the same issue.

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