"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
    2024-03-11T16:25:39+00:00

    Yep. This issue has been <profanity removed> my system for 2 years. Still never got it updated. Just tried again for the 150th time and now i am locked out of my pc entirely. I used ONLY Microsoft suggested tactics from only Microsoft websites. I am wildly baffled that this is STILL going on. Im even more perplexed that it hasnt been on the news everyday since it started years ago. Im far from a basic user and i cant get it. This is trash. Bad. IF i can even get my system back at all, I am 100 percent putting Linux on this machine. Goodbye absolutely every single thing Microsoft. FOREVER.

    I had just previously posted this: "This happened to me for the first time and I solved it without being a Microsoft guru. The answer is a little counterintuitive.
    When the login window appears click the "Did you forget your PIN?" link. It'll make you log in to your Microsoft account and send a code to your cell phone to verify it's you. You can then reset the PIN. I just used the old PIN. Once reset, the login window will reappear, and I was able to get in using the newly reset old PIN!"

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-11T08:08:24+00:00

    Ya this is true. This issue also persisted with my comp. for a long time until finally the issue was resolved. Microsoft is a great company but this is a big problem. Waiting 2 hours even though you didn't repeatedly sign-in into your comp. is not to be overlooked. Microsoft if you are reading pls try to resolve this.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-03-11T03:55:06+00:00

    I thought that maybe after 10 years i might be able to finally figure out Windows 10 before the end of its life-cycle. Apparently not. Im the <removed> that tried to use a Windows operating system for an entire decade that never once worked properly the entirety of its supported life. There is no way possible that about 15 different aspects of this arent illegal.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-03-11T03:48:11+00:00

    Yep. This issue has been <profanity removed> my system for 2 years. Still never got it updated. Just tried again for the 150th time and now i am locked out of my pc entirely. I used ONLY Microsoft suggested tactics from only Microsoft websites. I am wildly baffled that this is STILL going on. Im even more perplexed that it hasnt been on the news everyday since it started years ago. Im far from a basic user and i cant get it. This is trash. Bad. IF i can even get my system back at all, I am 100 percent putting Linux on this machine. Goodbye absolutely every single thing Microsoft. FOREVER.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-03-09T20:48:09+00:00

    This happened to me for the first time and I solved it without being a Microsoft guru. The answer is a little counterintuitive.
    When the login window appears click the "Did you forget your PIN?" link. It'll make you log in to your Microsoft account and send a code to your cell phone to verify it's you. You can then reset the PIN. I just used the old PIN. Once reset, the login window will reappear, and I was able to get in using the newly reset old PIN!

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