"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
    2025-04-21T06:50:48+00:00

    Lol, its ridiculous morons can't remember the password after setting a pin

    I'm just another Windows 11 user with the exact same problem that's been complained about since at least 2022 on these servers. Remembering the pin is NOT the problem. If I can't remember the pin, why am I able to login with it 2hrs later?

    Windows 11 just decides to lock me out randomly due to too many incorrect attempts when I only logged in once...and with the correct pin!!!

    I cannot wait 2 hours to login again! I have meetings which I need to attend on my laptop and I cannot afford the wait!

    This is unacceptable. I have read posts from 2022 with the same issue. Are you telling me that Microsoft can't figure out what this glitch is after 2-1/2 years?

    I guess that's why the PC costs less than the Macbook! We get what we pay for? We shouldn't be forced to reset our computers and go through what amounts to an entire weekend of re-installing software. That is if we actually have access to all of that deleted software. And, hopefully, we back up all of the files that we need. And, that is, if the person locked out of their computer can log back in. Luckily, I can use my pin to login after 2 hours, but I can't work this way. What's the fix? I'm getting extremely frustrated with Windows!!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-01T17:20:43+00:00

    I've tried to do this twice, but it never sends the code to my email account - yes, I've confirmed it's the same email account. But I get nothing from Microsoft in my inbox, spam or trash. and the two hour wait does not work... nor a 3 hour wait.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-03T20:08:14+00:00

    I had exactly the same thing happened. I miraculously got back in after watching 2 hours of youtube videos only to find days later the same message only this time without the catchphrase prompt. I don't have time for this! I did not change my pin or try it incorrectly too many times!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-05-03T21:22:21+00:00

    I know the preview update available to install manually if you open windows update fixes some pin issues,, other than that you dont have to use a pin to log on, you can even create a local user account and use a password or none at all to be sure to log into windows so it does not rely on a microsoft account,

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-05-08T15:45:52+00:00

    It is not needed in the laptop but it is to long for me to get it ready

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