How to fix “Unable to log you on because of an account restriction. [ERROR_CTX_ACCOUNT_RESTRICTION (0x1B98)]” – Error Code 7064

Overview

In this article, we’ll focus on resolving the issue described as: “Unable to log you on because of an account restriction. [ERROR_CTX_ACCOUNT_RESTRICTION (0x1B98)]”. This error, identified by the error code Error Code 7064, can impede your system’s performance, and here’s how you can fix it.

Identifying the Problem

Error Code 7064 occurs when a user is restricted from logging into their account due to a policy set by the system administrator. This error typically appears in the following scenarios:

• User accounts have been disabled or locked.
• User accounts have password restrictions or expiration dates.
• The system administrator has applied account restrictions through group policies or local security policies.

Common Fixes

1. Reset Account Password:

• Contact your system administrator to have your account password reset.
• Once your password has been reset, try logging in again.

2. Verify Account Restrictions:

• Open the Local Security Policy Editor (secpol.msc).
• Navigate to Security Settings > Account Policies > Account Lockout Policy.
• Verify that the “Account lockout threshold” is set to a reasonable value, such as 5 or 10.
• Ensure that the “Account lockout duration” is not set to a long period, such as 24 hours.
• Check the “Account lockout observation interval” to ensure it’s not too long.

3. Disable Account Restrictions:

• Open the Group Policy Management Editor (gpedit.msc).
• Navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Account Policies > Account Lockout Policy.
• Double-click on “Account lockout threshold” and set the value to 0.
• Repeat steps for “Account lockout duration” and “Account lockout observation interval”.
• Click Apply and OK to save changes.
• Restart the computer and try logging in.

Advanced Troubleshooting

1. Enable Audit Policy:

• Open the Local Security Policy Editor (secpol.msc).
• Navigate to Security Settings > Advanced Audit Policy Configuration > System Audit Policies.
• Enable the following audit categories:
  • Audit account logon events
  • Audit account management
• Click Apply and OK to save changes.

2. Check Event Logs:

• Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc).
• Expand Windows Logs > Security.
• Filter by Event ID: 4740 (failed logon attempt) and review the details.
• This will provide information about the account that was restricted and the reason for the restriction.

Conclusion

Error Code 7064 can be resolved by following the common fixes or employing advanced troubleshooting methods. By resetting account passwords, verifying account restrictions, or disabling them, you can successfully log in to your account. Regularly reviewing security settings and ensuring group policies are well-defined can prevent this error from occurring in the future.