"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
    2023-04-09T02:02:09+00:00

    Hey man, I found a way to fix it.

    First, hit “I forgot my PIN”

    1. Go through the sign-in process
    2. When you reach the screen before the “CHANGE PIN” screen, hit the “X” right on the top right corner of the screen.

    This will finish with a black screen that says “Welcome”, and you will magically be signed into your desktop. I’m not sure if this will work for everyone else, but I thought it would help!

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-04-06T20:29:08+00:00

    Microsoft has crossed all levels of insanity. Who thought this was a good idea to lock us out of our accounts for 2 hours with no option to sign in.

    I am also facing the same problem.

    I did not forget my pin or password.

    I was cleaning my laptop fans and it got misaligned and was asking some sound.

    So after I finished cleaning I turned it on while open to see if everything is working but I didn't log in.

    I used long press on the power button and shut it down.

    I did this three times and now I am locked out for two hours.

    This is ridiculous totally unacceptable especially when I have Microsoft authenticator on my phone.

    Ok I get it you found something fishy even though there was no failed logins.

    Then ask me to approve the logi on the authenticator on my phone.

    Isn't that what 2FA is for?

    For our safety.

    This better be gone in the next update or use the damn 2fa.

    Or ask me to enter an OTP that is sent to my phone or email.

    But you can't lock me out from my laptop for 2 hours.

    I will go online and get hopefully a lot of Microsoft users to sue Microsoft.

    Cause this can easily be replicated.

    People shut down their system multiple times when servicing it.

    Microsoft should be aware of such real world issues.

    I guess it's time finally to go for a Mac.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-21T07:20:20+00:00

    that is what i did, but that only works if you have no "local" user profile. if it is local you have to enter as admin and change the password of the local acct.

    however, there remains the task of microsoft to fix this faux "multiple wrong password/PIN input" blockage, so that it does not occur, and NO on my pc the option how many times u can enter PIN or password before a block occurs is infinite (registry) and NO it never was entered incorrectly, not to mention even once.

    so how about a fix for this. fix means fix windows 10/11, not issue a workaround.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-26T03:36:16+00:00

    Why is it okay for Windows 11 to restrict people from using their own computer? How do we disable this feature? I have a faulty screen and won't be able to get it fixed until I have a break from school. My screen goes black a lot, and I have to do force shutdowns a lot to get my computer working again. This whole thing is horrible.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-20T03:19:20+00:00

    I think it better if you actually stop replying to this thread. You are not providing any support or solutions that people have not already tried. Your profile has only just been created and I can tell that you are not associated with Microsoft so please, just stop commenting. You are not helping.

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