"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
    2023-02-27T22:08:03+00:00

    In my case there is no option presented to log in any other way. It has been far beyond two hours now that my wife has been locked out of her computer. The only things on her log-in screen are the background picture. her name, and two messages. The upper one says: You've entered an incorrect PIN too many times. The lower line says: Your PIN is disabled for two hours. There is no option to log in any other way.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-03-07T04:22:33+00:00

    This Worked. Got a code on my email to reset the pin.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-10T11:08:03+00:00

    That is shameful Microsoft!! I’m experiencing this bizarre problem.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-03-21T03:37:46+00:00

    Okay. After some four letter words and looking it up on the internet, like here, I found that, at least for me, it was really easy to go around, IF MICROSOFT WOULD JUST TELL US. I clicked 'I forgot password" or PIN, or whatever exactly it said, as, despite their offering that I could use another sign in option, there was nothing or no place apparent to do that.. A box to sign in using my regular Microsoft (outlook, bing, whatever) password appeared. Signed in that way, after providing the security code it sent to my alternative email that I looked at on another device, it provided the reset password/PIN (whatever) option. I reset my password or PIN (whatever) to exactly what it was, and was able to use the computer as usual. I haven't shut it down and restarted it, so I can't say if anything unusual will happen when I do.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-03-21T07:20:20+00:00

    that is what i did, but that only works if you have no "local" user profile. if it is local you have to enter as admin and change the password of the local acct.

    however, there remains the task of microsoft to fix this faux "multiple wrong password/PIN input" blockage, so that it does not occur, and NO on my pc the option how many times u can enter PIN or password before a block occurs is infinite (registry) and NO it never was entered incorrectly, not to mention even once.

    so how about a fix for this. fix means fix windows 10/11, not issue a workaround.

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