"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
    2023-01-07T20:43:34+00:00

    Having this same issue with a new surface tablet, but never my laptop. It's making the tablet unusable. Randomly, every day so far, it has done this and I cannot wait 2 hours multiple times a day to be able to log in. I know my pin, the tablet is not being restarted multiple times, it's clearly a Microsoft issue.

    Is there an actual fix out there or am I going to be returning this tablet?

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-12-21T05:05:46+00:00

    Nope, still a problem......

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-12-19T00:31:29+00:00

    Aah. That's interesting. I guess our habitual reaction is to input the pin immediately. I have also had some success with resetting the PIN via the Microsoft website but not always. It's infuriating that they do not offer the verification app but then not everyone is using it yet. I would definitely encourage it's use though.

    Sadly quite a number of times now I have had to back up the customer's data from a USB copy of Windows and then wipe their computer and do a fresh install of Windows 10 or 11. I feel this is absurd. We shouldn't have to do this. Has anyone from Microsoft actually responded to this thread yet? I didn't see any comments from them.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-12-18T19:18:00+00:00

    Thanks for the reply. I inadvertently did as you requested by just letting my laptop sit overnight. I now have my PIN on a sticky stuck to my laptop. Not too good for security. It's not something that I would do at work.

    Take care.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-12-18T16:01:33+00:00

    So I fixed it. The timer doesn't start unless u are able to type the pin. Which means restart the computer and DONT type the pin in. Wait 2 hours. Doesn't matter if the screen goes black. And then type it in. Worked for me

    But if you all remember the password or window hello pin, Then congratulations... You deserve it because you remember the window hello pin.

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