Have you ever tried to sign in to your Windows account or a website / app, only to be met with the error message “This sign-in option is disabled because of failed login attempts or repeated shutdowns”? This can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re not sure what you did wrong or how to fix the problem. Most commonly this error will pop up if you guess the Pin incorrectly when trying to log into your Windows 11 computer.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what this error message means and what you can do to resolve it. We’ll also provide some tips for preventing this error from happening in the future.
What Does This Error Message Mean?
There’s two reasons you’ll get this error in Windows 11:
- You guessed the pin incorrectly too many times and Windows is locking you out to protect the owner of the laptop
- The error is an unresolved Microsoft Bug
1. I Guessed The Pin Incorrectly Too Many Times
When you see the error message “This sign-in option is disabled because of failed login attempts or repeated shutdowns”, it means that your account has been temporarily locked out due to a number of failed login attempts. This could be because you entered your password incorrectly too many times, or because your account was accessed from a different device or location.
In some cases, this error message may also appear if your account has been inactive for a long period of time.
2. I Know My Pin/Password And Am Entering It Correctly
This, unfortunately, is a Windows 11 bug that Microsoft hasn’t necessarily eliminated yet. Some people have been logging into their laptops or desktops for years and all of a sudden it’s shutting them out due to too many ‘Incorrect’ login attempts using the correct pin. Use the troubleshooting method below to see if that fixes it for you. Even though you know your pin, you must click ‘Forgot Pin’ and run through that method to see if you can reset it. In summary, the strategy you will use is:
- Wait 2 hours to see if the error goes away – make sure your computer is powered on during this time and doesn’t go into sleep. Then try your correct pin again.
- Go to Sign-In Options and follow the procedure to reset your Pin and/or Password. They will send the link to your email address which you can use to reset.
How to Fix This Error Message
If you see the error message “This sign-in option is disabled because of failed login attempts or repeated shutdowns”, there are a few things you can do to try to fix it. First, if you guessed your Pin incorrectly too many times wait out the time it wants you to wait and enter the correct pin. If you actually know your correct pin and you’re getting this error as a ‘Bug’ and not a real issue, try this:
If You Have A Password Setup On The System
- Select Sign In options on the login screen, select password and log in with your password.
- Once you are logged in, reset a new PIN in Settings -> Accounts -> Sign in options
If You Only Have A Pin Setup
- Click ‘Forgot My Pin’
- Proceed through the reset procedure but enter the same pin you’ve always used
Other Options To Try
- First, try resetting your password. This is the most common way to resolve this issue. To reset your password, visit the website or app where you’re having trouble signing in and click on the “”forgot password”” link. You’ll then be prompted to enter your email address or username. Once you’ve entered your information, you’ll receive an email with a link to reset your password.
- If resetting your password doesn’t work, try contacting the website or app’s support team. They may be able to help you troubleshoot the issue and get your account unlocked.
- If you’re unable to resolve this issue on your own, you may need to create a new account. This is a last resort, but it may be necessary if your account has been permanently locked out.
Preventing This Error Message in the Future
There are a few things you can do to prevent this error message from happening in the future.
- Make sure you’re entering your password correctly. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to double-check your password every time you sign in. If you’re not sure what your password is, you can reset it by following the instructions in the previous section.
- Don’t share your password with anyone. Your password is a personal and confidential piece of information. Never share it with anyone, not even your friends or family.
- Use a strong password. A strong password is one that is difficult to guess. A good rule of thumb is to use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Enable two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires you to enter a code in addition to your password when you sign in. This can help to protect your account from being accessed by unauthorized users.
Conclusion
The error message “This sign-in option is disabled because of failed login attempts or repeated shutdowns” can be frustrating, but it’s usually easy to fix. By following the steps in this article, you can resolve this issue and get back to using your account in no time.
FAQs
- What does it mean when I see the error message “This sign-in option is disabled because of failed login attempts or repeated shutdowns”?
This error message means that your account has been temporarily locked out due to a number of failed login attempts. This could be because you entered your password incorrectly too many times, or because your account was accessed from a different device or location.
- How can I fix this error message?
There are a few things you can do to try to fix this error message.
- First, try resetting your password or Pin. This is the most common way to resolve this issue. To reset your password, visit the website or app where you’re having trouble signing in and click on the “”forgot password”” link. You’ll then be prompted to enter your email address or username. Once you’ve entered your information, you’ll receive an email with a link to reset your password.
- If resetting your password doesn’t work, try contacting the website or app’s support team. They may be able to help you troubleshoot the issue. If the issue is with Windows 11 you can try contacting Microsoft Support to see if they will walk you through the Pin reset procedure.
- Is this a legitimate error or a bug?
This error could be legitimate if you guessed the incorrect Pin several times in a row. However, most users are getting this error for no valid reason (they are entering the correct Pin and it’s not working).
Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.
Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.
