How to fix
“An administrator has restricted sign in” error
on Windows
Resolve the "An administrator has restricted sign in" error in Windows 10 and 11 effortlessly. Get expert-tested solutions for quick fixes!
What causes How to fix “An administrator has restricted sign in” error in Windows?
- Device locked remotely using 'Find My Device'
- Accidental activation of device lock
- Incorrect password or PIN entry
- System failure to unlock despite correct credentials
Repairs Windows system files, removes malware, and restores a clean OS state — without reinstalling.
Hello. When I try to log into my computer I receive a message "An administrator has restricted sign in." How can I begin using my PC again?
"An administrator has restricted sign in. To sign in make sure your device is connected to the internet and have your administrator sign in first." This notification shows up only when someone remotely locks the device using the "Find My Device"[ref en-1] option when a device is stolen. Some users have done this by accident and now cannot use the locked devices. Usually, when people type in their password and PIN, the device unlocks, but that has not helped for some people.
It is unclear why the system fails to unlock after users enter the correct information. If you are having this issue, make sure you are typing in the correct password and PIN. You can also try changing your Microsoft password through another device and then trying to log in. If all that fails, we have a 2 step guide that could help you fix the "An administrator has restricted sign in" error in Windows.
With "Find My Device" users can find and lock a lost Windows device. This feature works with PCs, laptops, Surface Pens. People can see the lost device's location on a map and lock it to prevent people from accessing files. You should not have to use this feature in any other scenario. If you are ready to begin the process of fixing the "An administrator has restricted sign in" error in Windows, follow the steps posted below.
If you want to keep your Windows device running smoothly, you can use a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix various system errors, BSODs,[ref en-2] corrupted files, and registry issues. It is a powerful software useful in day-to-day use and in certain events like malware[ref en-3] infections.
Method 1. Use Windows Startup Repair
- Turn on your PC
- As soon as the Windows logo appears on the screen, press and hold the power button (this will immediately interrupt the boot sequence)
- Repeat these steps two more times
- Click the Troubleshoot button
- Click the Advanced options button
- Click the Startup Repair button
- Select your account (if asked)
- Enter your account password (if asked)
- Click the Continue button and follow the on-screen instructions
Method 2. Reset Windows
- Turn on your PC
- As soon as the Windows logo appears on the screen, press and hold the power button (this will immediately interrupt the boot sequence)
- Repeat these steps two more times
- Once Advanced Startup is open, choose Troubleshoot, then select Reset This PC
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process
Bottom line
To fix the 'An administrator has restricted sign in' error, ensure you are entering the correct password and PIN, and consider changing your Microsoft password through another device. If these steps do not resolve the issue, you can try using Windows Startup Repair as outlined in the guide.
Frequently asked questions
This error typically occurs due to group policy settings or account restrictions set by an administrator that limit user access to the system.
To fix this issue, you can access the Local Group Policy Editor and modify the settings under 'Computer Configuration' > 'Windows Settings' > 'Security Settings' > 'Local Policies'.
You can try booting into Safe Mode and then enabling the built-in Administrator account, which may allow you to change the restrictions causing the error.
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