"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
    2023-01-27T18:08:42+00:00

    As of 27th Jan 2023, this issue is still not fixed. This is the second windows 11 pc in my household I have disabled for inexplicable reasons.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-27T17:11:05+00:00

    Exactly the same issue affecting two accounts on the same laptop. There have been no multiple PIN attempts or shutdown, and it’s not even clear how to log in by an alternate method.

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  3. 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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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-25T06:27:36+00:00

    I am going to fail my online class because I can't log in to my own computer.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-22T14:37:06+00:00

    I'm also having this problem, currently, I'm typing on my backup T460, but my T480 won't let me sign in, last night about 10 or so hours ago it gave me this message: "This sign-in option is disabled because of failed sign-in attempts or repeated shutdowns", and I waited for over 2 hours it still has no let me sign in, I'm afraid I'm going to have to factory reset my laptop, which will be a pain in my behind as I'm going to have to set up my computer again and download all my things again.

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