- Windows can prevent you from logging in to an account for a certain period of time if you repeatedly enter the wrong password.
- The login screen will then display the message “The referenced account is currently locked” This can be frustrating, especially if you have an urgent task to complete.
- Sometimes a threshold is set that limits the number of incorrect password attempts by the user.
- The problem may seem serious, but it’s not hard to fix.
Unlock Your Way to Success: Resolving Referenced Account Lockouts
Use Password Reset Options
If you’re encountering the “Referenced Account Currently Locked Out” error on your Windows 10 PC, there are a few password reset options you can try.
First, try using the password reset option on the login screen. Simply click on the “Reset password” link and follow the on-screen instructions. If that doesn’t work, you can try resetting your password using a Windows installation media.
To do this, insert your Windows installation media and boot your PC from it. Then, select your language preferences and click “Next.” On the next screen, click on “Repair your computer” and select “Troubleshoot.” From there, choose “Reset this PC” and follow the instructions to reset your password.
If these options don’t work, you may need to contact your system administrator or IT department for further assistance. They can help you with more advanced solutions, such as modifying the Account Lockout Threshold Policy or checking for any domain controller issues.
Set Administrator Account and Edit Security Policies
To fix a referenced account that is currently locked out, you can set up an administrator account and edit security policies. Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
1. Log in to your Windows 10 computer and access the login screen.
2. On the login screen, click on the “Power” icon and select the “Restart” option while holding the Shift key. This will bring you to the Windows Recovery Environment.
3. In the Windows Recovery Environment, select “Troubleshoot” and then choose “Advanced options.”
4. From the advanced options, select “Command Prompt” to open a command prompt window.
5. In the command prompt, type “net user administrator /active:yes” and press Enter. This will enable the administrator account.
6. Next, type “secpol.msc” and press Enter to open the Local Security Policy editor.
7. In the Local Security Policy editor, navigate to “Account Lockout Threshold Policy” under “Account Policies.”
8. Double-click on “Account Lockout Threshold” and set the desired number of failed login attempts before an account gets locked out.
9. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
10. Close the Local Security Policy editor and restart your computer.
11. Once your computer restarts, you can log in using the newly enabled administrator account to fix the referenced account currently locked out.
Check and Adjust DNS Settings
To check and adjust DNS settings for fixing the “Referenced Account Currently Locked Out” error, follow these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel on your Windows PC.
2. Go to “Network and Internet” and select “Network and Sharing Center.”
3. Click on “Change adapter settings” on the left-hand side.
4. Right-click on your active network connection and choose “Properties.”
5. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP)” and click on “Properties.”
6. Make sure “Obtain DNS server address automatically” is selected. If it’s not, enable it.
7. If you need to manually set the DNS server addresses, select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the appropriate values provided by your network administrator or ISP.
8. Click “OK” to save the changes.
By checking and adjusting your DNS settings, you can resolve the “Referenced Account Currently Locked Out” error and regain access to your system.
python
import time
def process_reference_account():
# Simulating a locked out account
is_account_locked = True
if is_account_locked:
# Wait for some time before attempting to fix the locked account
time.sleep(300) # 300 seconds = 5 minutes
unlock_reference_account()
def unlock_reference_account():
# Code to unlock the reference account
print("Unlocking the reference account...")
# Main program flow
try:
process_reference_account()
print("Reference account processed successfully.")
except Exception as e:
print("Error:", str(e))
In this example, the `process_reference_account` function simulates a locked out account. If the account is locked, it waits for five minutes (300 seconds) before calling the `unlock_reference_account` function. The `unlock_reference_account` function can contain the necessary code to unlock the reference account.
This code is basic and only demonstrates a delayed attempt to fix the locked account. In a real-world scenario, you would need to consider and implement proper authentication mechanisms, security measures, and error handling practices to ensure the safety and integrity of the accounts involved.
Remember to adapt the code according to your specific requirements, programming language, and environment.
Prevent Account Password Expiration
To prevent account password expiration and fix a referenced account that is currently locked out, follow these steps:
1. Sign in to your account on the Windows operating system.
2. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type “netplwiz” and press Enter to open the User Accounts window.
4. Select your user account from the list and click on the “Properties” button.
5. In the Properties window, go to the “General” tab and uncheck the box that says “User must change password at next logon.”
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
7. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
By following these steps, you can prevent your account password from expiring and resolve the issue of a locked-out account. Remember to regularly update your password to ensure the security of your account.
If you need further assistance, refer to Microsoft’s official support documentation or watch tutorials on their YouTube channel for additional guidance.
Clear Cached Credentials
To clear cached credentials and fix a referenced account that is currently locked out, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “control panel” and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
3. In the Control Panel, search for “Credential Manager” and click on it.
4. In the Credential Manager window, click on “Windows Credentials” or “Web Credentials” depending on the type of account you are fixing.
5. Locate the credentials associated with the locked account and click on it to expand the details.
6. Click on “Remove” to delete the cached credentials.
7. Close the Credential Manager window and restart your computer.
8. After the restart, try logging in again with the account that was previously locked out.
This process clears the cached credentials, allowing you to enter the correct login information and resolve the locked account issue.
Utilize Password Reset Disk or Reformat Windows
If you find yourself locked out of your Windows account, there are a couple of options you can try to regain access.
First, you can utilize a password reset disk if you have one. Insert the disk into your computer and follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.
If you don’t have a password reset disk, you can reformat Windows. This process will erase all data on your computer, so make sure you have a backup of any important files. To reformat Windows, follow these steps:
1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS menu by pressing the designated key (usually F2 or Delete) during startup.
2. In the BIOS menu, navigate to the “Boot” tab and change the boot order to prioritize the Windows installation media (such as a USB or DVD).
3. Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
4. Insert the Windows installation media and restart your computer.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows.
Remember to back up your data before proceeding with these steps. If you’re unsure or need further assistance, consider reaching out to Microsoft support or consulting with IT experts.
Adjust BIOS Time and Date Settings
Adjusting the BIOS time and date settings can help resolve the issue of a referenced account being currently locked out. To fix this error, follow these steps:
1. Start by restarting your computer and entering the BIOS setup. The key combination to access the BIOS may vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer. Refer to your computer’s manual or search online for the specific key combination.
2. Once you’re in the BIOS setup, navigate to the “Date and Time” section. Here, you’ll find options to adjust the date and time settings.
3. Use the arrow keys to select the correct date and time. Press Enter to confirm your selection.
4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer will restart with the updated date and time settings.
By adjusting the BIOS time and date settings, you ensure that your computer’s internal clock is synchronized correctly. This can help resolve various login errors and prevent account lockouts.
Disable or Enable Hidden Administrator Account
To fix a referenced account currently locked out error on Windows, you can disable or enable the hidden Administrator account. This can be done by following these steps:
1. Press the Windows key and type “cmd” in the search bar. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
2. In the Command Prompt window, type “net user administrator /active:yes” to enable the hidden Administrator account. To disable it, type “net user administrator /active:no” instead.
3. Press Enter and the changes will take effect immediately.
4. Log out of your current account and you will see the Administrator account as an option on the login screen.
5. Select the Administrator account and enter the password if prompted.
6. Once logged in, you can perform the necessary tasks to fix the referenced account currently locked out error.
By enabling or disabling the hidden Administrator account, you can troubleshoot login errors and fix issues related to locked accounts. Remember to be cautious while making changes to system accounts and consult experts if needed.
Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.