How to unlock your PC logon account....
If you have ever been locked out of your PC logon account, you know how frustrating it can be. However, there is a simple solution that can save you time and hassle: simply wait 15 minutes ⏰
This is because Active Directory (where our accounts are stored) has a built-in mechanism that automatically unlocks locked-out accounts after 15 minutes.
This is an important bit of information to know, especially if you are working out of hours, as by the time you contact the Site Managers and call Switchboard to contact IT On-Call, your account may already be unlocked 🔓. So where the situation allows, please bear this in mind.
Why Accounts Get Locked Out?
Accounts can get locked out for a variety of reasons, including:
- Entering the wrong password too many times
- An administrator manually locking the account
What Happens When an Account is Locked Out
When an account is locked out, you will be unable to log in to the computer or access any resources that require Active Directory authentication (MFA, Office.com etc). This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you need to access important files or applications.
What to Do if the Account Remains Locked Out
If the account remains locked out after 15 minutes, there may be a more serious issue at play. In this case, it is best to contact the IT Service Desk for assistance on 87000.
Linked articles
IT Emergency On-call