"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
    2022-10-11T09:36:06+00:00

    This is ridiculous, what's wrong with MS support? My kid got locked out for no reason as well and can't log on for the school. I have an admin account on the laptop and it's the same with me as well, and I didn't even touch it in last few days.

    Anyway after spending long time, I just went to the forgot pin link, it asked for the password (which fortunately kid remembered, but there's an option for forgotten password too), reset the pin to it's original value, it sent an authenticator approval request (in this case came to my own authenticator account i.e. admin), once done, it's back into kiddo's account. But immediately after that the screen just froze on the desktop. So had to restart, and this freezing happened yesterday too before this locking issue appeared, so not sure if some bug is freezing it and the computer thinks it's too many attempts so let's do a lock out.

    resetting kids account pin also now allows me the admin to log in normally.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-10-10T14:22:23+00:00

    Select sign in options on the login screen, select password and log in with your password.

    Once you are logged in, reset a new PIN in Settings -> Accounts -> Sign in options

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-10-08T17:26:17+00:00

    Same problem. And no, waiting two hours has not worked because the laptop goes into sleep mode with or without the plug. I guess I have to return my laptop? Terrible windows 11 bug.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-10-07T13:26:13+00:00

    Good day,

    One of my clients had the same issue, just resolved it by resetting the PIN. It will ask you to provide Microsoft account credentials, and send a code to the email account linked to your Microsoft account. After that you can choose a new pin and your problem should be resolved.

    Hope this help.

    Thank you

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-10-07T08:43:06+00:00

    I get this error message. It was intermittent but now every time I turn on. I have to then log in with a password.

    My password is the same as my pin.

    Originally I was logging in with a Microsoft account but when I was first locked out of my computer, I changed to a local account, in case that would fix the problem and deleted my Microsoft Account.

    I opened a new Microsoft account a few days ago but I cannot see how to log into my computer with a different account.

    How do I "reset" my computer without losing my data?

    The person at Microsoft who thinks it is a good idea to lock people out of their computers for 2 hours needs to be fired before users get the idea to take a class action for damages.

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