If your Windows Hello fingerprint login is unavailable, the primary cause is often related to driver issues. Here's how to troubleshoot and fix it:
Troubleshooting Steps
Here's a breakdown of how to fix Windows Hello fingerprint issues, leveraging the provided reference:
1. Update the Fingerprint Driver
- Access Device Manager:
- Press the
Windows key + Xand select "Device Manager".
- Press the
- Locate the Biometric Device:
- Expand the "Biometric devices" category.
- Right-click on your fingerprint sensor device (it might be named "Fingerprint Sensor" or similar).
- Update the Driver:
- Select "Update driver".
- Choose "Search automatically for drivers". Windows will attempt to find and install the latest driver available.
2. Uninstall and Reinstall the Driver
If updating the driver doesn't solve the problem, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. This can resolve issues caused by corrupted driver files.
- Uninstall the Driver:
- Follow steps 1-2 from the "Update the Fingerprint Driver" section to locate your fingerprint sensor in Device Manager.
- Right-click on the fingerprint sensor device, select "Uninstall device".
- Important: Make sure to check the option to "Delete the driver software for this device" if prompted.
- Restart Your Computer:
- After uninstalling, restart your computer. This allows Windows to attempt to reinstall the driver.
- Reinstall the Driver Manually:
- If the driver isn't automatically reinstalled after rebooting, go back to Device Manager.
- Right-click on "Biometric devices" and select "Scan for hardware changes".
- Windows should now detect and reinstall the fingerprint sensor driver.
Summary of Fixes
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Update Driver through Device Manager | Tries to install the latest available version |
| 2. Uninstall and Reinstall Driver | This helps remove any corrupt files related to the driver and reinstall it for a fresh start, as the reference suggests. |
By following these steps, you can often resolve the "Windows Hello fingerprint unavailable" issue. Remember that outdated or faulty drivers are the most common cause, and the steps above address these issues directly.
