"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
    2024-06-07T09:57:24+00:00

    Hi NJ S

    Thanks for your quick reply. I see someone else has kindly and helpfully suggested buying a flash drive with an OS, but I'll have to Google what all that means and buy it. So I thought as I'm not a technical person I'd try your solution first. When I'm looking at my screen which has a PIN box in the middle but a message saying I've been locked out for 2 hours (and which never goes after 2 hours) what do I do? What keys do I press on my keyboard, or where on the screen should I click with my mouse, in order to "use another way to sign in"?

    Best

    Phil

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-06-07T01:23:56+00:00
    1. reboot from a flash drive that has a bootable OS then leave the PC plugged in for 3 continuous hours. Then hopefully it works. Make sure the power settings do not sleep/power down the PC hdd before 3 hours.
    2. "what is a login option that will never be locked out? I will set it up that way."

    a. An Administration login account with no password and no email login credentials

    b. An Administration login account with password and no email login credentials

    i.e. always have at least 2 Administrative login accounts on your PC.

    1. Clean up hdd when you have the PC working. use ccleaner the free version.

    good luck

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-06-06T23:16:18+00:00

    I have a very similar issue. The laptop started to blue screen and rebooted repeatedly, prompting the lockout.

    I have one account for with two sign in options - fingerprint and PIN. Both are locked out. I have left the laptop connected to the charger overnight and it still gives the same response.

    If there is no way to recover the device other than a factory reset, what is a login option that will never be locked out? I will set it up that way.

    FYI this is a terrible design choice, despite the increased security - security and convenience are constantly in tension in any context, but this is too much for most people and shouldn't be a default setting.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-06-06T21:08:41+00:00

    I got the same pin disables message. I did this to fix.

    • signed in with my hotmail account using another way to sign in
    • changed all sleep and power shutdown hdd to 3 hours in power settings
    • including screen saver to 10 mins
    • kept it plugged in for 3 hours
    • signed out after 3 hours then restarted as if nothing went wrong
    • for future I created another account Administrator
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  5. Anonymous
    2024-06-06T10:34:25+00:00

    I have this problem. But how do I get past the screen that says wait two hours (which doesn't work), how do I try another way of logging in, or how can I do a reset which keeps my files?

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