"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
    2023-03-26T13:10:55+00:00

    I’m having the exact same problem, i’ve left my device powered on for the 2 hours and tried again but it didn’t work, i’ve tried choosing the “i forgot my pin” option and tried to reset my password and login that way but it told me i had to use an old phone number for verification in which i do not have that phone number any longer so i’ve used a different email to reset it and it says i have to wait 30 days.

    I know my device wasn’t powered off multiple times but i may have input the wrong password multiple times on accident.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-03-26T14:17:18+00:00

    If MS hasn't solved these issues even after so many people have faced it for so many days, that's a sign that they don't care. It's time to start thinking of switching over to Apple.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-29T10:59:44+00:00

    same here, its been like this work a week now

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-03-29T21:29:38+00:00

    I have spent over 36 hours waiting with the same screen

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-04-06T10:32:36+00:00

    This sign-in option is disabled because of failed sign-in attempts or repeated shutdowns. Use different sign-in option, or keep your device powered on for at least 2 hours and then try again.

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