"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
    2025-05-08T15:45:52+00:00

    It is not needed in the laptop but it is to long for me to get it ready

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-03T21:22:21+00:00

    I know the preview update available to install manually if you open windows update fixes some pin issues,, other than that you dont have to use a pin to log on, you can even create a local user account and use a password or none at all to be sure to log into windows so it does not rely on a microsoft account,

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-03T20:08:14+00:00

    I had exactly the same thing happened. I miraculously got back in after watching 2 hours of youtube videos only to find days later the same message only this time without the catchphrase prompt. I don't have time for this! I did not change my pin or try it incorrectly too many times!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-05-01T17:20:43+00:00

    I've tried to do this twice, but it never sends the code to my email account - yes, I've confirmed it's the same email account. But I get nothing from Microsoft in my inbox, spam or trash. and the two hour wait does not work... nor a 3 hour wait.

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