"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
    2025-03-02T22:07:09+00:00

    Mod has obviously never used this system before.

    There are no options to click on my guy. I know my password and pin and it still doesn’t work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-24T20:23:56+00:00

    Because of your terrible system I am getting delayed to do my work and if there is any cost for my business my lawyer will contact your company for a law suit!

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-24T20:19:16+00:00

    I have the same problem in my computer. Why did you guys do such a poor job in the system by implement a shut down in the computer when I the owner did not asked for this? I put exactly the right password several times and it doesn’t work! I don’t even want a stupid password to log in my computer anyway which I don’t have a choice because you chose for me!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-02-20T19:29:21+00:00

    Depends on how your computer is configured. If you have a recovery partition you might be able to F5 into the windows advanced startup when it first starts to power on and try one of the troubleshooting or resetting options there. If not you will need a bootable USB with a copy of windows that you can make on someone else's windows computer. Then get into your bios which is usually a function key as it's starting up but you'll have to check your make and model for which key. It's normally F11 or F12 but mine now is F2 on Asus. Tell it to boot from the USB before the hard drive and then go through the windows setup process. And hopefully your product key will be hard coded onto the main board. If so and you don't have it accessible to you like on a notepad or anything then you could boot into a Linux distro off another USB (just running it live from the USB without installing) and there is a command you can Google that will show you the hard coded windows product Key for when you reinstall. You will lose everything doing this unless you have the option during setup to save all of your files and reinstall Windows but if you can't access it to back it up then just make sure you're ok with that before starting.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-02-20T19:24:14+00:00

    you will need a working computer and usb stick to create free windows media

    you will see a link in this instructions under clean install section to download windows 10 and 11 media creation tool

    Reinstall Windows with the installation media - Microsoft Support

    some computers have also a image on the drive to restore to by simply pressing a key durning boot,

    check or computer manual for that , if not follow the instructions in the link above,

    Cheers , if cant follow watch some youtube vids on it ,

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