"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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

592 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-01-15T01:45:57+00:00

    You can try just clicking on forget password and then using your Microsoft account you can sign in

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-15T10:24:53+00:00

    How do I sign with different options

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-15T10:33:48+00:00

    A forget password option would present you should click on that option and follow what the systems asks for

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-16T00:03:01+00:00

    In this scenario that option has not been available; which makes this issue so frustrating. You don't even get an option to use the Authenticator app.

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-16T00:06:49+00:00

    If it's anything like the other people reporting the issue, there are no other options. No password option, no Authenticator app option. Zip. It's a joke.

    But as others have already said multiple times, including myself, try leaving it on for two hours and DO NOT input anything. Just leave it for the full two hours and then put your pin in.

    If that doesn't work then others have fixed it by resetting the TPM2.0 configuration in the BIOS of the computer. That's a lot harder to do though as getting into the BIOS isn't always an easy task. The key changes per manufacturer and the menus can be designed very poorly.

    0 comments