"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
    2025-05-28T13:48:46+00:00

    Nick he just want's to be a keyboard warrior. He forgets this is a help community not a jerk community. If he really had the answer he would be helping and showing how to actually fix the issue.

    Also Nick did you even find and answer. My laptop is new with the latest Windows 11 so another of his great thoughts proven wrong.

    But if you did find a work around I would appreciate the assistance

    Thanks

    Craig

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-28T12:50:12+00:00

    The probleem is you users not computer, i see some say cant remember pin or password, lol, , you ms account is on a web page and can manage it from any pc on the web site, Microsoft, but this would be to difficult for many, no solution for that, mabey a mac, even if a key on keyboard broke you all still blame Microsoft, hilarious, why is my pin not working, well i wonder, have you tried to log into your Microsoft account from another computer, da

    Please stop belittling everyone David, you clearly didn't read my posts in full. I tried all that and it didn't work on the affected laptop, but I could log in on another PC via Web to MS Account. Password was not working on PC affected. After keeping it connected, hardwired, to the internet and awake for two hours the PIN worked again and so did the password: QED it wasn't a bad key on the keyboard on the laptop, nor had the user forgotten either of them. The laptop was new and it was on a recent version of Win11 too.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-28T11:08:39+00:00

    i help others get in for a living,, it is easy,, click forgot PIN link and enter the password that the PIN uses ,

    i never have issue with this only you all who forgot your pin and password to your Microsoft account , then you have a problem,

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-05-25T03:26:29+00:00

    I did but,I have to do it all over again now

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