How to Fix the “We Couldn’t Find a Fingerprint Scanner Compatible With Windows Hello Fingerprint” Error on Windows

img How to Fix the “We Couldn’t Find a Fingerprint Scanner Compatible With Windows Hello Fingerprint” Error on Windows

If you’re facing the error message, “We couldn’t find a fingerprint scanner compatible with Windows Hello Fingerprint,” it typically means one of three things: your device lacks fingerprint recognition capabilities, the fingerprint reader isn’t functioning correctly, or Windows is unable to detect it. You can blame it on a lurking hardware gremlin, stagnant driver software, or a BIOS config that’s just not playing nice.

Tackle this pesky issue head-on with our freshly brewed solutions, optimized for maximum search engine love.

1. Verify Your Device Supports Fingerprint Recognition

The Windows Hello fingerprint feature requires a compatible fingerprint reader. If you encounter the error while setting it up for the first time, ensure that your device is equipped with a fingerprint reader. Commonly, the fingerprint sensor is located near the power button or on the keyboard.

Check your device’s specifications on the manufacturer’s website if you’re unsure. If your device doesn’t have a fingerprint reader, you won’t be able to use Windows Hello Fingerprint. However, if it does and you’ve used it before, move on to the next step.

2. Confirm the Fingerprint Reader is Working

If your device has a fingerprint scanner but Windows fails to detect it, check if the sensor is operational. Test it by signing in to another app that uses biometric login. If the fingerprint sensor doesn’t respond, clean it with a dry cloth and try again. If it’s still unresponsive, the hardware may be faulty, and a technician might need to inspect it.

If the fingerprint reader works with other apps but not with Windows Hello, continue troubleshooting with the next steps.

3. Roll Back Driver or Windows Updates

If the error occurred after a Windows or driver update, try rolling back those updates. To roll back a driver, follow our guide on how to roll back a driver update on Windows. To uninstall a Windows update, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History, and uninstall the most recent update.

After rolling back, attempt to set up Windows Hello Fingerprint again. If the problem still exists, give your system a fresh start by reinstalling the biometric drivers and running those overdue Windows updates.

4. Enable Windows Biometric Service

If the Windows Biometric Service is disabled, fingerprint recognition won’t work. Ensure that this service is running by following these steps:

  1. Type “Services” in the Windows Search bar and open the Services app.

  2. Locate Windows Biometric Service in the list.

  3. If it’s not running, right-click the service, select Properties, and set the Startup type to Automatic.

  4. Restart the service if necessary.

5. Update or Reinstall Biometric Drivers

Outdated or corrupt biometric drivers could also prevent Windows Hello from detecting the fingerprint scanner. To update the drivers:

  1. Open Device Manager by searching for it in Windows Search.

  2. Expand the Biometric Devices section, right-click on your fingerprint scanner, and select Update Driver.

  3. Choose Search automatically for updated drivers.

If updating the driver doesn’t work, try uninstalling it, then restart your device. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.

6. Disable Fast Startup

Disabling the Fast Startup feature can resolve fingerprint recognition issues for some users. Fast Startup is designed to speed up boot times but may interfere with Windows Hello. Disable it by following our guide on enabling or disabling Fast Startup on Windows 11.

7. Check BIOS Settings for Fingerprint Reader

Some devices allow the fingerprint scanner to be disabled in BIOS. If you’re setting up Windows Hello Fingerprint for the first time, check that the scanner isn’t disabled in BIOS. Refer to your manufacturer’s website for instructions on accessing and adjusting BIOS settings.

8. Additional Troubleshooting Options

If none of the above methods work, you can try:

If all else fails, consider performing a system restore to revert your system to a point when Windows Hello was working correctly.

Get Rid of the Fingerprint Scanner Error for Good

The “We couldn’t find a fingerprint scanner compatible with Windows Hello Fingerprint” error doesn’t mean you can’t use biometric authentication on your device. Once you’ve worked through these steps, you’ll be back to effortlessly logging in with Windows Hello Fingerprint in no time.

If you’re setting up a fingerprint login for the first time, make sure you follow the steps correctly to avoid further errors. These fixes should get Windows Hello Fingerprint up and running smoothly again, no fuss.

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