6 Ways to Fix Windows Hello Fingerprint Option Unavailable or Not Working

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Basic Fixes

Fix 1: Update or Reinstall the Biometrics (Fingerprint) Driver

The software drivers for the biometrics hardware on your Windows PC may be outdated and are due for an update. The update can fix bugs and problems that you are facing with the Windows Hello fingerprint service. Additionally, if the biometrics driver was installed through a corrupt package, it may cause issues with Windows Hello.

Therefore, updating or reinstalling these drivers will help.

Step 1:OpenDevice Managerfrom the start menu.

Step 2:Click to expandBiometric Devices.

Step 3: Right-clickon the biometric device and click onUpdate driver.

Step 4:Choose whether you want to browse the update file locally or, let Windows search the internet for the same.

If you want to re-install the driver, click onUninstall Device, confirm your action, andrestart your PCto automatically install the driver.

Also Read:How to open device manager in Windows 11.

Fix 2: Re-Register Your Fingerprints

If the saved fingerprint on your PC is corrupted, removing it and registering your fingerprint once again will help.

Step 1: Open theSettingsapp on your PC.

Step 2:SelectAccountsin the sidebar and click onSign-In Options.

Step 3:Click onFingerprint Recognition.

Step 4:Click onRemoveto delete the registered fingerprint.

Step 5:Now, click onSet Up, and register your fingerprints once again.

Fix 3: Start Biometrics Service Automatically

If the Windows Biometric service – a process that is required to activate the fingerprint sensor on your device does not start up every time you boot up your PC, you may encounter problems with Windows Hello.

Step 1:Open theServicesapplication from the Start menu.

Step 2:Scroll down to find, and right-click onWindows Biometric Service.

Step 3:Click onProperties.

Step 4:Open the dropdown menu forStartup type, and click onAutomatic. Click onApplyandOKto confirm your changes.

Also Read:5 ways to open Services on Windows.

Fix 4: Reset WinBio Database

Your Windows PC stores all the biometrics data in the WinBio database. If any entry is corrupted, it may be responsible for the error message.

Step 1:Open theServicesapplication from the Start menu.

Step 2:Scroll down to find, and right-click onWindows Biometric Service.

Step 3:Click onStop.

Step 4:Now, navigate toThis PC -> Windows (C:) -> Windows -> System32and open theWindBioDatabasefolder.

Step 5:We will have todelete all the filespresent here.

But we recommendtaking a backup. Select all files. Copy and paste them onto a different location.

Step 6:Once you have created a copy of all the files in a different destination – go ahead anddelete the files.

Step 7:Now, go back to WindowsServices, right-click onWindows Biometric Service, and click onStart.

Once you restart the biometric service, you mustregister your fingerprint againin the Settings app. Refer to the ‘Fix 2’ section to register your fingerprint.

Fix 5: Edit the Registry

If the biometric login is deactivated via the Registry on your Windows PC, you can enable it by using the registry editor.

Step 1:Open theRegistry Editorfrom the Start menu.

Step 2:Select theHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEfolder.

Step 3:Click onSOFTWARE.

Step 4:Click onPolicies -> Windows -> and right-click on System.

Step 5:Click onNew -> DWORD (32-Bit) Value.

Step 6: Right-clickon the new entry and click onRename.

Enter the new name asAllowDomainPINLogon.

Step 7: Double-clickon the new entry.

Step 8:Enter1in the value data. Click onOK.

Fix 6: Troubleshoot Hardware Devices

Running the hardware troubleshooting service on your Windows PC can fix issues with the fingerprint scanner.

Step 1:Open theRunwindow on your PC.

Step 2:Enter the following command, and click onOKto open the hardware diagnostics service.

Step 3:Click onNext, and the troubleshooting will begin. Once it is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to take the relevant actions.

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Last updated on 19 July, 2024

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