"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
    2023-07-03T06:08:04+00:00

    This is MicroCrap. If anyone interested in class action lawsuits, let's get this party going. This company purely sucks with full of incompetent people.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-07-04T18:43:33+00:00

    The way around this for me was to hit forgot pin. It then let me make a new pin and sign in

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-07-06T16:31:19+00:00

    How about you all fix the damn problem? I too, did not forget my pin, nor has anything else changed other than some idiot update after which I was unable to use my computer due to this error. I WANT IT FIXED, I have data on my computer that is VERY important to me that I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE. So, tell me how in God's name to fix the problem without losing my data, and how do I keep this from happening again.

    I've done the 'reset' and the issue STILL occurs so I want someone to reach out to me and help me fix it.

    To say I'm disappointed with Microsoft is quite the understatement, I've been using Microsoft products since Dos 1.1 and I've NEVER had such an issue before to where I lost my highly valuable (to me at least) data.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-07-07T19:29:59+00:00

    This is unacceptable garbage.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-07-11T05:31:59+00:00

    Hey, I know i’m very late but to fix this, just say “forgot pin” when ur trying to sign in, put the same exact password u had it before or change it if u would like, then after than, u put the pin in and it’ll log u in. it just worked for me!

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