"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
    2023-09-04T02:34:13+00:00

    This is a real bug that the inept Microsoft team is failing to address I'm having the exact same problem

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-09-03T08:01:27+00:00

    thank you for your response David. Now i have better understanding of the problem . As HELLO is obviously the problem and Microsoft don't understand how to fix their own issues, , please can you tell me how i might change or cancel the use of HELLO to sign in ? can i for instance have no code to start , but just power on ? or is there a safe , but simpler way to revert to the old ways of sign in . ? Many thanks again for the time and trouble.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-09-02T12:02:03+00:00

    this happening since the started pushing everyone to sign in with a pin, absolutly nothing to do with windows 11

    , [edit]

    Windows Hello is a feature on Windows 10 that allows users to unlock the device with a user's fingerprint, iris scan, or face or PIN. It is an alternate option for signing in ie,.^[42]^^[43]^ There are two ways to unlock the device.

    So if you dont use windows Hello to sign in with a pin, you will never see the issue,

    Cheers!

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-09-02T11:39:16+00:00

    Here is the ms kb , hello issues, its for 10 and 11, they are the same os under the hood, except they stoped adding stuff to 10. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/troubleshoot-problems-with-windows-hello-bf68539e-e95e-48b6-a6cb-455649db3887#WindowsVersion=Windows\_11

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-09-02T11:23:18+00:00

    No ,coincidence for you ,i had it happen 3 times on windows 10 and once on 11 ,, its a windows hello issue, i never had a problem getting in though, just reboot and click forgot pin then it lets you sign in with your Microsoft password. Newbs

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