"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
    2025-01-24T13:57:39+00:00

    Does it work after 2 hours?

    In my case, no, which is why I am using my Linux drive at the moment. I waited for about 3 hours, and still have the same problem as before. After a Windows 11 update yesterday, it does not recognize my PIN.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-24T09:53:45+00:00

    "The feature seems to be poorly implemented or, at the least, very poorly documented."

    Sadly, David this is Normal for Microsoft.

    There is a programmer joke from years ago that illustrates it.

    How many Microsoft programmers does it take to change a lightbulb?

    Zero, Microsoft simply redefines darkness as the industry standard. Live with it!

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-24T01:47:44+00:00

    And the other issue that quite a lot of people are having is that its error message is very often wrong, and doesn't seem to be able to remedy itself. It complains about failed login attempts, which don't seem to have any real evidence to support the claim, and then even multiple successful logins do not re-enable the PIN method.

    Personally, that's my gripe. It was that I kept getting prompted for my long, complex password in situations where my PIN should have been entirely fine. The feature seems to be poorly implemented or, at the least, very poorly documented.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-23T18:38:45+00:00

    you shouldnt have to search youtube for that , it says forgot pin right under where you type the pin,

    Thats not the issue poeple are having,, some the forgot pin link is missing

    some does not work, some do not have failsafe 2nd email setup of forget,, some forget their microsoft password, etc,, windows 11 requried ms account for everyone , and many cant handle the confusion, lol

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-01-23T17:56:23+00:00

    When faced with this problem, I surfed on YouTube for possible answers.

    What I found most helpful is clicking on forgot my pin then you will be asked for the password, assuming you still have access to the original E-Mail account made for the computer/Microsoft/google, you can request a new password IF you don't remember it. If you do, then type the password in, and it will ask you if you want to reset your PIN at which point I clicked on "Cancel" and it redirected me to my home screen. Logged me in. However, I don't know why this dumb ah shet keeps on displaying the error message as in, what triggers it. I will update you as I find out more. Good Luck!

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