"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
    2023-07-30T19:50:47+00:00
    1. Okay so I'm reporting in having had this issue myself, I have now finally sorted the issue after being unable to use my laptop for a good few weeks.

    From my experience and what others have said there are two ways too fix this issue:

    1. Factory reset (I did not want to follow through on this option as I had non backed up data that id rather keep)
    2. Leave the computer powered on for 2 hours, now this one is VERY misleading, LEAVING YOUR COMPUTER ON FOR 2 HOURS DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE, Although KEEPING THE SCREEN ON FOR TWO HOURS STRAIGHT WILL. This is unbelievably arduous to do as you will have to be constantly moving the mouse to stop the screen from fading to black but it DOES WORK. I decided to attempt this after coming across one user who had done so and said it worked and I was very lucky I chose to believe them and took the time to attempt this which was frustrating since it took a good few attempts.

    I am now back on my computer after a long period of having it inaccessible because of a ridiculously stupid windows 11 bug and have chosen to come here to increase the odds of people finding a solution without having to lose all their data.

    Windows istg if you don't fix this bug its clearly been a computer destroying issue for years that you have just been too lazy to resolve.
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  2. Anonymous
    2023-07-30T21:49:00+00:00

    has nothing to do with 11, happens same on 10 , its good to have a 2nd admin user account on the system that is a local account.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-08-01T11:44:50+00:00

    once the 2 hours or more is done, hit I forget my password, sign-in to your microsoft account and enter a new PIN, this will sign-in you back to your laptop

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-01T11:57:54+00:00

    No you don't need to wait st all of you go the forgot my password link, absolutely incorrect, you can do that immediately, you i had this happen serveral times by putting in the wrong pin too many time with caplock on,lol

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-08-07T00:03:53+00:00

    Hi, R00_,

    I have unfortunately run into the same issue as of right now and have found a way to bypass this issue.

    Power off your computer fully then turn it back on after 30 seconds. login like you normally would but don't enter your pin instead click,. I forgot my pin (note: this would be a million times easier if you use Microsoft Authenticator) but in case you didn't and you claim to have forgotten your Microsoft account password I will walk you through resetting your password go to https:/microsoft.com and go to the login page on a computer that has access to the web and a stable internet connection and click "forgot password." enter your email or if you prefer to use a phone number (that is linked to your account) than go ahead and use that Microsoft will then send you an email or text message depending on how you requested to verify it's your account follow the instructions to reset your password after you set the password to something you know go back to the forgot password screen on the device that has the problem it will ask you to sign in to your Microsoft account once you do it will tell you to input a new pin once you set the pin login with the new pin and it should log you in as it is supposed to do

    Best of luck,

    Daniel

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