"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
    2023-05-12T01:39:36+00:00

    There has never been any **** incorrect password attempt in my laptop even not any shutdown and even if I have done such a thing, you have no **** right to lock my computer like this. What a **** this really is I can’t log in and when I log in using my gmail then I can’t change my password. Like seriously I have no control on my own **** computer and no one else ever touches my laptop except myself. Look I’ve said this years before with a problem with windows 7 that finally I fixed it myself with some YouTube helps and Microsoft’s guides for fixing that problem was totally wrong and I’m gonna say that now too…. **** you Microsoft you ****.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-16T02:58:31+00:00

    Why? I've reported this via the Microsoft Partner Portal and no one has a solution for it. No one from Microsoft has answered in this thread either. Usually that means they have no idea why it's happening and don't want to address it so they avoid being accountable for it. They'll probably reply, like they always do, in a few months with some standard cut and pasted solution that has zero relevance to the issue at hand. This isn't my first time doing this mate.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-08T00:41:59+00:00

    I have seen someone say they reset their TPM in the BIOS and that resolved the issue. I haven't seen another computer with this issue lately so I can't confirm or deny that solution works unfortunately. The ones I did see I ended up having to wipe them and start again.

    It would be helpful if Microsoft actually responded to this issue. I'm pretty sure they haven't replied once yet, have they?

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-10-22T16:27:20+00:00

    I don't even understand them again. Why would they be telling me sign in option disabled?

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-10-19T04:45:09+00:00

    Does it work after 2 hours?

    I don't think so if it is work or not.

    After 2 hours, I'm confused that i put a pin correct 100% but they give me a message.

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