"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

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:

Wait 2 hours WHILE the laptop is powered on.
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 :)

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592 answers

Anonymous

2024-11-15T16:55:16+00:00

Agree,

This is really cumbersome and there is no way I can recover beside a full factory reset (and I just did it once last month). Most companies have resolved this in a much better way than Microsoft.

Or "better" is probably an understatement.
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Anonymous

2024-11-10T17:23:54+00:00

I have waited for 2hrs and Microsoft allows me to reset PIN by sending code to my email, now after resetting pin, when I am trying to enter the pin it is saying that "Something happen and your PIN is not available, Click to reset your pin again".

So annoying....

I have tried to reset pin again by clicking Set up my pin, but the result is zero, after clicking nothing happened.

I don't know what king of solutions you are offering standard clients....

please resolve it.

This happen with Windows 11
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Anonymous

2024-11-08T14:11:20+00:00

My daughter laptop has the same issue. Tried my admin account, nothing. Tried forgot password and nothing,
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Anonymous

2024-10-27T12:46:09+00:00

1st off i have no problems getting back in but what a pain,, this is a real bug,, happens even if you enter the correct pin on 1st or 2nd attempt,, i have 6 computers in the house,, happens 3 or 4 times a year on the 3 windows 11 computers in the house, even my new one just happened running latest windows 11 24h2 , so they still did not fix the issue,,, when this happens i can boot into any other of the computers fine with same pin,, to get back in i have to click the forgot PIN link under where you would type the pic, and follow through verifying my other email account with reset pin on my other computer or phone where i have all my email accounts logged in,, . and whey i get to reset the PIN i reset it to the Same god dam PIN,, imagine having to change the PIN on all computers,, and anyway i reset the PIN to the same god dam PIN and it lets me in,, WHAT A NUSINCE and some people dont have any clue how to manage email accounts so this is devastating for them if they don't have some knowledge or another device to get the reset codes... you need to have a recovery email or phone added to your Microsoft account or any email account for that matter Folks. and i have seen some of my customers have missing the I forgot my PIN link ,, and heard others with this problem, i dont know what causes that one , maybe using a local account is reason so is no other option. , but only way i can get that one fixed is to re install the operatiing system (take out the drive to connect to other pc to get files if need , unless they have on device encryption then they are sol.
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Anonymous

2024-10-27T11:41:31+00:00

Maybe reset your windows image - it is probably fake
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