"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
    2024-08-18T12:35:30+00:00

    Click the forgot password

    And login using Microsoft account

    Prior to that make sure you know the password or just verify it using your phone

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-09-03T00:17:16+00:00

    The last time this happened I ended up replacing the battery. That fixed it...till a year and a half later.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-09-03T08:22:58+00:00

    This is a very simple glitch or a annoying feature in windows.

    This always happens to be when I clean my laptop only when I remove the battery.

    This is ridiculous actually even I missed the sign in through my email. When I am disconnecting the battery why does windows have to block me for 2 hours. What purpose does it serve?

    Many don't know it is because their disconnected their battery.

    Either windows remove this feature or they keep it configurable so when we are going to clean our laptop we can disable this stupid feature.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-09-03T15:07:17+00:00

    Microsoft has to do this to keep staff employed. It's called "Job Security". Sucks for us though.

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2024-09-07T06:28:10+00:00

    I have The same problem, I know my pin, I have now waited 2 hours three Times and waited over night. I have managed to perform different "mending performances" absolut using the bitlocker Keys serveras Times.. Nothing works!!!

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