"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
    2022-09-17T02:35:01+00:00

    Same issue :( So far unsuccessful

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-12-18T15:26:46+00:00

    So I fixed it. The timer doesn't start unless u are able to type the pin. Which means restart the computer and DONT type the pin in. Wait 2 hours. Doesn't matter if the screen goes black. And then type it in. Worked for me

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-10-19T14:08:37+00:00

    the only fix i found is to reboot to bet the enter pic option back then below that click forgot pin

    even though i did not forget it ,

    then it sent a code to my email had to grab another device to get that, then i reset my pic but i set it to

    what it was before , and it let me in ,

    so if you do not have fail save set up and a hotmail account , if its a local account

    you need to use the method found on google for forgotton passord, and the instructions will

    show you how to boot to a windows setup usb(free to download on ms site), then you need to use command prompt to remove the local account password, it showed you how to temporarily replace utilman.exe with cmd.exe etc, (google forgot windows 10 password for full instructions,its on youtube) as if i put full instructions they will take it down, this method is a works on windows 10 and 11, ive tryed it,

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-07T20:43:34+00:00

    Having this same issue with a new surface tablet, but never my laptop. It's making the tablet unusable. Randomly, every day so far, it has done this and I cannot wait 2 hours multiple times a day to be able to log in. I know my pin, the tablet is not being restarted multiple times, it's clearly a Microsoft issue.

    Is there an actual fix out there or am I going to be returning this tablet?

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-10-28T09:19:50+00:00

    I’m unable to connect to the internet to change my pin. Why would it not accept my original PIN to start with and facial recognition stopped working and requires the PIN. I’m out of the country and can’t just reset my computer. What else can be done to reset the PIN. Is this a bug in Windows 11?

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