Fingerprint login can fail for many reasons, but most problems are fixable quickly. If your Fingerprint doesn’t work in Windows 10, this article diagnoses the 12 most common causes and gives step‑by‑step fixes so you can sign in again with biometric authentication.
You’ll learn what typically breaks (hardware, drivers, Windows settings, or policies), how to test each component, and clear fixes — from cleaning the sensor to editing Group Policy.
Key Takeaway
The fastest fixes are to clean and re-enroll your fingerprint, ensure Windows Biometric Service is running, update or reinstall the fingerprint driver in Device Manager, and check Sign‑in options in Settings > Accounts; if those fail, verify power, BIOS, and Group Policy settings or test for hardware failure.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| 1. Dirty or damaged sensor or finger | Clean sensor and your finger, then retry. |
| 2. Bad or missing fingerprint enrollment | Remove and re-enroll fingerprints in Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options. |
| 3. Windows Hello / biometrics not set up or disabled | Enable biometrics and add a PIN under Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options. |
| 4. Faulty or outdated drivers | Update or reinstall the fingerprint driver in Device Manager. |
| 5. Windows Biometric Service stopped | Start and set Windows Biometric Service to Automatic in services.msc. |
| 6. Recent Windows update or OS bug | Run Windows Update and install optional driver updates or roll back faulty updates. |
| 7. Device disabled in Device Manager or BIOS/UEFI | Enable the fingerprint device in Device Manager or BIOS/UEFI settings. |
| 8. Missing Windows Hello PIN | Set a Windows Hello PIN — fingerprint requires a PIN backup. |
| 9. USB power management turning off sensor | Disable power saving for relevant USB Root Hub entries in Device Manager. |
| 10. Group Policy or registry blocking biometrics | Enable biometrics in gpedit.msc or remove restricting registry keys. |
| 11. Conflicting third‑party security/driver software | Temporarily disable or uninstall conflicting security/biometric software. |
| 12. Hardware failure or broken connection | Test with an external reader or contact vendor for repair/replacement. |
Detailed Fixes for “Fingerprint doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. Dirty or damaged sensor or finger
Why it causes the problem:
- Oils, dirt, scratches or moisture block the sensor from reading skin ridges accurately.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Power off the device (recommended for laptops).
- Use a clean, lint‑free cloth slightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol to gently wipe the sensor surface — do not soak.
- Dry completely and try different parts of your fingertip.
- Reboot and test again.
Notes:
- Avoid abrasive cleaners. If the sensor is scratched or chipped, accuracy will suffer and may require repair.
2. Bad or missing fingerprint enrollment
Why it causes the problem:
- If fingerprints were poorly captured or were removed, Windows has nothing or bad data to match.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Open Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options.
- Under Windows Hello Fingerprint, choose Remove for existing fingerprints.
- Click Set up (or Add another) and follow prompts to Add a PIN if asked.
- Enroll the same finger multiple times from slightly different angles for a better sample.
- Test sign‑in after enrolling.
Tips:
- Enroll multiple fingers and both sides of a finger if your device allows.
3. Windows Hello / biometrics not set up or disabled
Why it causes the problem:
- Biometrics can be turned off globally or not enabled for your account.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options.
- Ensure Windows Hello Fingerprint is available and turn it on. If prompted, add a PIN first.
- If the option is missing, proceed to other fixes (drivers, services, Group Policy).
Notes:
- Personal or enterprise policies may hide or disable biometric options.
4. Faulty or outdated drivers
Why it causes the problem:
- Drivers mediate between hardware and Windows; if corrupted or incompatible, the sensor won’t work.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Press Win + X → Device Manager.
- Expand Biometric devices (or Imaging devices, Universal Serial Bus controllers if not listed).
- Right‑click the fingerprint device → Update driver → Search automatically.
- If no update or still broken, choose Uninstall device, check Delete the driver software for this device (if offered), then reboot to let Windows reinstall.
- If vendor drivers are available (HP, Dell, Synaptics, Goodix), download the latest from the manufacturer and install.
Commands/paths to use:
- Device Manager → Right‑click device → Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver if issue started after an update.
Tips:
- Use the vendor driver if Windows generic driver doesn’t work.
5. Windows Biometric Service stopped
Why it causes the problem:
- The biometric framework depends on this service to handle enrollment and matching.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
- Find Windows Biometric Service, double‑click it.
- Set Startup type to Automatic, click Start, then OK.
- If it fails to start, note the error and check Event Viewer (Win + X > Event Viewer) for details.
Notes:
- Some editions of Windows 10 (e.g., education/enterprise under policy) might run this service differently.
6. Recent Windows update or OS bug
Why it causes the problem:
- Updates can change drivers, services, or settings that affect biometrics.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available patches.
- Under View optional updates, check Driver updates and install fingerprint/biometric driver updates.
- If the problem began after a specific update, go to Update history > Uninstall updates and uninstall the recent update as a test.
Tips:
- Keep Windows up to date but verify drivers after major updates.
7. Device disabled in Device Manager or BIOS/UEFI
Why it causes the problem:
- The OS can’t detect or use the sensor if it’s disabled at hardware or driver level.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Device Manager:
- Open Device Manager, find the fingerprint device under Biometric devices.
- Right‑click → Enable device (if disabled).
- BIOS/UEFI:
- Restart and enter BIOS/UEFI (common keys: F2, F10, Del — check vendor docs).
- Look for Integrated Peripherals, Security, or Authentication settings.
- Ensure Fingerprint reader or Biometric device is Enabled.
- Save and exit BIOS.
Notes:
- Some corporate machines can disable biometrics in firmware via management policies.
8. Missing Windows Hello PIN
Why it causes the problem:
- Windows Hello biometric sign‑in requires a PIN fallback; without it, enrollment or sign‑in can fail.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Open Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options.
- Under Windows Hello PIN, click Add and follow prompts to create a PIN.
- After adding a PIN, re‑enroll your fingerprint if necessary.
Tip:
- PIN is device‑specific and is stored locally; it improves biometric reliability and security.
9. USB power management turning off sensor
Why it causes the problem:
- Windows may turn off USB ports to save power, disconnecting USB fingerprint devices.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Open Device Manager → expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- For each USB Root Hub / Generic USB Hub, right‑click → Properties → Power Management.
- Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, click OK.
- Reboot and test.
Alternative:
- In Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings, set USB selective suspend setting to Disabled.
10. Group Policy or registry blocking biometrics
Why it causes the problem:
- In corporate or locked environments, admins can block biometrics through Group Policy or registry keys.
Step‑by‑step solution (Local Group Policy):
- Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter.
- Navigate: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Biometrics.
- Ensure Allow the use of biometrics and Allow domain users to log on using biometrics are Enabled.
- Run gpupdate /force in an elevated Command Prompt to apply.
Registry check (if no Group Policy Editor):
- Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter.
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Biometrics and ensure no keys disable biometrics. Back up registry before changes.
Notes:
- On domain‑joined machines, policies from Active Directory might override local changes — contact IT if necessary.
11. Conflicting third‑party security/driver software
Why it causes the problem:
- Antivirus, security suites, or other biometric software can conflict with the fingerprint driver or sensor access.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Temporarily disable third‑party security software and test the fingerprint.
- If it works, update or reconfigure the security software to allow biometric services.
- Uninstall conflicting biometric/driver utilities and use the manufacturer’s recommended software only.
Tip:
- Some vendor utilities (Dell ControlPoint, HP SimplePass) require specific versions; use vendor support pages.
12. Hardware failure or broken connection
Why it causes the problem:
- Sensor hardware, internal cable, or controller can fail; physical damage often requires repair or replacement.
Step‑by‑step solution:
- Test with another OS or a bootable Linux USB to see if sensor is detected (advanced).
- For USB/external readers: test on another PC to confirm device failure.
- For internal sensors: contact your device manufacturer or take the device to a certified repair shop.
- If under warranty, request repair/replacement.
Notes:
- Before concluding hardware failure, exhaust software and settings checks above.
Additional tips and when to seek hardware support
- Always have at least one alternate sign‑in method (PIN, password, or security key) configured in Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options.
- Keep a backup image or restore point before making registry or policy changes.
- If you’re in a managed enterprise environment, check with your IT team — they may enforce biometric restrictions.
- For persistent hardware issues, check warranty status and log timestamps of failures to help vendor diagnostics.
FAQ
Can I use the fingerprint sensor for multiple user accounts on the same PC?
Yes — each user must enroll their own fingerprints under Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options; the sensor supports multiple profiles depending on the device.
Is fingerprint authentication as secure as a password?
Fingerprint is convenient and generally secure, but it should be combined with a strong PIN or device encryption (BitLocker) for better security; fingerprints can’t be changed like passwords.
How do I reset all fingerprint data?
Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options, remove all fingerprints, then re‑enroll. For a deeper reset, uninstall the driver in Device Manager, reboot, and re-enroll after reinstallation.
Can Windows Hello work without a TPM?
Windows Hello can work without a TPM, but certain features (like PIN backed by TPM) are more secure with TPM. Windows will allow software‑based keys but recommend TPM for best security.
Why does my fingerprint stop after a Windows Update and how to prevent it?
Updates can change drivers or policies. Prevent by: creating a system restore point before major updates, keeping device drivers up to date from vendor sites, and testing biometric functionality after updates.
Conclusion
Most fingerprint issues in Windows 10 result from dirty sensors, enrollment problems, drivers, services, or policy settings — and are solved by cleaning, re‑enrolling, updating drivers, starting Windows Biometric Service, and checking power or Group Policy. If you follow these steps and the Fingerprint doesn’t work in Windows 10 persists, test hardware or contact the manufacturer for repair or replacement.
