The days of having to remember a PIN or a password are long gone thanks to advancements in authentication systems. You can now sign in to your system in a flash thanks to the fingerprint login function, which has made logging in incredibly simple.
Many of you have asked for the patches for Windows and Mac as well after our recent post about fingerprints not functioning on mobile devices. Some of the temporary remedies described there are also applicable to laptops. But there is still a lot to talk about. As always, if your fingerprint doesn’t work on your laptop, we’ve done all the legwork for you and listed every possible troubleshooting strategy.
Why won’t my fingerprint scan on a laptop work?
Your fingerprint may cease working on a laptop for a number of reasons. Your fingerprint sensor may be dirty or smudged, your fingertips may not be clean, or you may not be laying your finger on the sensor correctly. In addition, there can be issues with the hardware or software. Let’s highlight a few of them:
- faulty fingerprint scanner
- stale driver software
- defective system files
- incorrect settings
- issues with Windows Update
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How to Make a Laptop’s Fingerprint Reader Work
You must first make sure to wipe your fingers and fingerprint sensors before proceeding to the repairs section. When your fingerprint isn’t operating properly, it is the instant fix. The same is true for defective or unresponsive fingerprint sensors. Windows 10 fingerprint login may not operate, has stopped operating, is inaccessible, or is missing, among other problem messages relating to the sensor.
There may be a number of causes for the failure, as we have already covered. Whatever the cause, I’ve provided you with twelve solutions to assist you solve this issue. Let’s get started with them now.
Update the driver for your fingerprint sensor
You need first update the driver for your fingerprint sensor. The software known as device drivers integrates the operation of your device with the operating system. Over time, manufacturers release updated drivers, and outdated ones may be the root of the problem. Likewise, upgrading might be beneficial if the drivers are damaged. To update the driver for your fingerprint sensor, do the following:
- To enter the Run dialogue box, simultaneously press Windows and R.
To launch Device Manager, enter devmgmt.msc in the dialogue box and hit Enter. - Expand the Biometric devices menu by searching for it in the menu bar.
- Select the Update driver option by performing a right-click on the name of your fingerprint sensor.
- Select the option to automatically search for drivers in the next box. If you already have drivers, choose Browse my computer for drivers to continue.
- It will update the drivers for your fingerprint sensor when you finish these procedures.
the Fingerprint Driver once again
You must conduct a clean installation of the fingerprint driver if upgrading doesn’t work. Any issues will be fixed, and it will resume working. You must remove the gadget and restart your PC in order to reload the fingerprint programme. Take these actions:
- Activate Device Manager.
- Your fingerprint sensor device may be found under Biometric devices; simply right-click it and choose “Uninstall device.”
- On the following pop-up box, confirm the uninstallation.
- Reboot your computer.
You must also reinstall any specific software that was installed for your biometric device. Take the following actions to restore it:
- Navigate to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
- There, look for the biometrics software you use. Click the Uninstall menu item when you right-click over it.
- Repeat the software installation process after a successful removal.
Add the Fingerprint Again
There are two scenarios in which you have to add the fingerprint again. . The sensor is unable to identify your fingerprint in either situation. It would thus be ideal if you added the fingerprint again. Take these actions:
- To access Settings, use the Windows key plus I.
- Go to “Accounts” > Login options.
- Click the Remove button next to Windows Hello Fingerprint.
- Click the Set up button to set the new fingerprint after removing the old one.
- It will add a new fingerprint on your device if you follow the on-screen prompts.
By using the Group Policy Editor, enable biometrics
You can configure policies in your system using the local group policy editor. If biometrics are disabled in the group policy, you must enable them. Take these actions:
- To launch the local group policy editor, type gpedit.msc into the Windows search box.
- Find Windows Components under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates.
- Select and open the Biometrics folder from the right pane.
- Double-click the radio button labelled “Allow the use of Biometrics.”
- Enabled should be checked, then save adjustments.
- In the same manner, activate the settings for Allow users to log on using biometrics and Allow domain users to log on using biometrics.
- Check to check if the fingerprint has begun to function by restarting your computer.
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The Fast Startup feature should be disabled
Windows has a function called Fast Startup that shortens the boot process. But not all software and hardware are compatible with it. Additionally, it can prevent your fingerprint sensor from working properly. You can disable rapid startup to see if it fixes the issue. Take these actions:
- Open the Settings app by using the Windows+I key.
- To access further power options, go to System > Power & sleep.
- From the left side, choose Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click Change settings that are not accessible right now in the System Settings box.
- Turn off the suggested setting for speedy startup, then save your changes.
- Restart your computer to see if that resolves the problem. If not, you may enable quick Startup once again and use the other remedies described below.
Fix the faulty system files
You cannot use the Windows Hello Fingerprint feature to sign in to your computer if any system files connected to the fingerprint reader are damaged. Sfc /scannow, a built-in utility function for Windows, can fix any damaged files and replace them with the proper versions. To fix the damaged system files, take the following actions:
- To enter the Run dialogue box, simultaneously press Windows and R. CMD is entered after you type it in the search field.
- Type the command sfc /scannow and hit the Enter key in the command prompt window.
- The command will launch a system scan to look for any damaged files and repair them.
- the Credentials Manager Service should be restarted.
- A Windows control panel option that aids in managing credentials is the credential manager service. This service controls how your login, password, and fingerprints are used throughout the system.
To verify that the fingerprint reader is working once again, you can restart this service. Take these actions:
- To launch the Services programme, type services.msc into the Windows search box.
- To view the Credentials manager, scroll down. To access its Properties window, double click on it.
- Click the Stop button under Service status. The service will be terminated. The service will then be restarted when you click Start. Restore the modifications.
- Verify that your fingerprint is currently functioning.
Alternate your fingerprint reader
If your PC does not already have a built-in fingerprint reader, you are presumably utilizing an external fingerprint reader. There is no assurance that it will work with your setup. If so, try a new fingerprint reader and see if it helps.
Modify the power management configuration
For external fingerprint readers, use this technique. You have USB ports that they are attached to. There will be a problem if USB port power settings are adjusted to save power. To modify the power settings, adhere to following steps:
- To enter the Run dialogue box, simultaneously press Windows and To launch the Device Manager, type devmgmt.msc into the search bar.
- Look under “Other” for “Universal Serial Bus controllers.” Increase it.
- Choose Properties from the context menu when you right-click the USB Root Hub option. (There could be many USB Root Hubs. The same thing must be done for each.)
- Uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to switch off this device to conserve power under the Power Management tab, then save your changes.
- power control.
- Check if the fingerprint begins to function by restarting the machine.
From the BIOS, enable the biometric device
Once installed, the biometric device is often turned on by default. But occasionally the BIOS may deactivate it. In this scenario, you have to manually enable it in the BIOS. To enable a biometric device via BIOS, adhere to following steps:
- As soon as your computer turns on and begins to boot, hit the necessary key to enter the BIOS. (Normally, the DEL or F2 key is used.)
- Look for the Biometric device option under the System setup tab.
- Enable the option if it exists.
- Restart the machine after saving the BIOS adjustments.
- If you are unable to access the Biometric device option, it is entirely OK. Not all manufacturers had access to this choice.
Configure the Registry
You may modify the settings of the hardware resources and programmes that are already installed on your system using Registry Editor. Your fingerprint sensor can continue to function by making a few small adjustments to the registry settings. Additionally, improper use of the registry editor might have negative effects. To be safe, backup your registry before modifying the settings by doing the following steps:
- The Registry editor may be accessed by typing regedit.msc into the Windows search box.
- Open HKEY LOCAL MACHINESOFTWAREPolicies.
Microsoft\Windows\System - Right-click in the open space in the right pane and choose New DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- New entry AllowDomainPINLogon should be created. Click it twice, then change the value to 1.
- Restart your computer after saving the changes.
- Verify the fingerprint’s functionality.
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Install or remove the most recent Windows update
The fingerprint can stop functioning with each new version of Windows. So you may upgrade the computer and see if it fixes the issue. Additionally, you may quickly roll back the updates if you have new problems after applying them.
- By heading to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, you must first check for updates.
- Updates should be downloaded and installed.
- On the other hand, if the fingerprint sensor began to malfunction after the upgrade, you need to uninstall the updates. It may be as a result of the bug and glitch-filled updates. To delete the Windows updates, adhere to following instructions:
- Open Control Panel, then select Programs, then choose Programs and Features. View the updates that are currently installed.
- Check your system for the most recent updates that you installed. Click on it with the right mouse button, then click Uninstall.
