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How to Test Fingerprint Sensor on Windows 11

Published in Windows Biometrics Troubleshooting 5 mins read

Testing your fingerprint sensor on Windows 11 primarily involves ensuring its drivers are up-to-date and correctly configured within Windows Hello, and troubleshooting any issues that prevent it from functioning.

The most direct way to "test" your fingerprint sensor is by setting it up and attempting to use it for login or other authentication purposes. If it's not working as expected, troubleshooting its drivers is a key step.

Initial Setup and Verification (The Primary "Test")

Before troubleshooting, ensure your fingerprint sensor is properly set up via Windows Hello. This process inherently verifies its basic functionality.

  1. Open Windows Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Accounts: In the left-hand menu, select Accounts.
  3. Choose Sign-in options: Click on Sign-in options on the right.
  4. Set up Windows Hello Fingerprint:
    • Under "Ways to sign in," locate Fingerprint (Windows Hello).
    • Click on it and then click Set up.
    • Follow the on-screen prompts to register your fingerprint, which will involve repeatedly placing your finger on the sensor.
  5. Test the Sensor: Once set up, try locking your computer (Win + L) and then placing your finger on the sensor to sign back in. If it works, your sensor is functional.

Troubleshooting Your Fingerprint Sensor (If It's Not Working)

If your fingerprint sensor isn't appearing as an option in Settings, or if it's not working after setup, you'll need to troubleshoot. A common first step involves managing the device driver.

Driver Management Through Device Manager

According to the provided reference, a crucial step in diagnosing fingerprint sensor issues involves managing its drivers through Device Manager. This can resolve conflicts or corrupted driver files.

  1. Open Device Manager: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the list, or type "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar and open it.
  2. Locate Your Fingerprint Reader:
    • Expand either Biometric devices or Human Interface Device. Your fingerprint reader will typically be listed under one of these categories (e.g., "Synaptics WBDI - SGX," "Goodix Fingerprint," or similar).
  3. Update Driver:
    • Right-click on your fingerprint reader device.
    • Select Update driver.
    • Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will attempt to find and install the best available driver.
    • If this doesn't work, try Browse my computer for drivers and then Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer to see if an older compatible driver is available.
  4. Uninstall and Reinstall Driver:
    • If updating doesn't help, right-click on your fingerprint reader again.
    • Select Uninstall device.
    • Important: If prompted, do not check the box to "Delete the driver software for this device" unless specifically instructed by a support guide for your device. This allows Windows to use a cached driver upon restart.
    • Click Uninstall.
  5. Restart Your Computer: After uninstalling the device, restart your computer. Windows will usually automatically detect the hardware upon boot-up and reinstall the necessary driver.
  6. Check Fingerprint Option: After restarting, go back to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and check if the Fingerprint (Windows Hello) option is available and working.

Other Common Troubleshooting Steps

Beyond driver management, several other checks can help resolve fingerprint sensor issues:

  • Check Windows Hello Requirements: Ensure your device meets the hardware requirements for Windows Hello (TPM 2.0, compatible sensor).
  • Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter:
    1. Open Settings (Win + I).
    2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
    3. Look for "Hardware and Devices" (or similar, it might be integrated into a general "Windows Update" or "Program Compatibility" troubleshooter in Windows 11) and run it if available.
  • Clean the Sensor: Gently wipe the fingerprint sensor with a soft, clean, lint-free cloth. Residue can interfere with accurate readings.
  • Reset Biometric Devices: In some cases, resetting the biometric database can help. This is an advanced step and usually involves deleting files in C:\Windows\System32\WinBioDatabase. Proceed with caution and back up if unsure.
  • Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows 11 installation is fully up to date, as updates often include driver fixes and system improvements.
    1. Open Settings (Win + I).
    2. Go to Windows Update.
    3. Click Check for updates.

Common Issues and Solutions Summary

Here's a quick overview of typical problems and their corresponding solutions:

  • Fingerprint option missing in Settings: Update or reinstall fingerprint drivers via Device Manager.
  • Sensor not recognizing prints: Clean the sensor, re-enroll your fingerprints in Windows Hello, or update drivers.
  • "Something went wrong" error: Often a driver issue; follow the driver management steps.
  • Slow response: Ensure drivers are current, and there are no background processes hogging system resources.

By following these steps, you can effectively test and troubleshoot your fingerprint sensor on Windows 11 to ensure reliable biometric authentication.

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