Windows Hello stopped working, how do I fix it?

Hello!

That message means that SFC found corruption in your Windows installation and repaired it. However, if you are still having problems then likely a more thorough repair of Windows is required.

IMPORTANT: This reset should leave your files and programs intact. Just in case, however, it is strongly recommended that you back up any important files before making a change this major.

1. Choose Start and type "settings". Open Settings.
2. Choose Update and Security.
3. Choose Recovery from the menu on the left.
4. Under "Reset this PC", choose "Get Started",
5. Choose "Keep my files".
6. Choose "Cloud download".
7. Click on "Next".

The computer will reboot and reset Windows. All of your files should be there once you log in.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you require further assistance.

Regards,

David N.

Community Independent Advisor

Hello!

Is this Windows 10 Home or Pro? If it is Pro, this might be a Group Policy that has somehow been enabled. However, that is unlikely. More likely Windows files are corrupted.

1. Hold down the Windows key and hit R to open Run.
2. Enter "sfc /scannow".

This will run the System File Checker. When it is complete it will either have repaired Windows, will give you an error, or state that nothing needed repairing.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if this resolves your issue or if you require additional assistance.

Regards,

David N.

Community Independent Advisor

Hello!

My name is David N., and I am a Community Independent Advisor and Windows fan. I will be happy to assist you with your issue.

The image that you sent indicates that Windows Hello is not set up. Something may have caused it to be turned off or otherwise fail.

To resolve this:

1. Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options
2. Select Windows Hello PIN.
3. If it is not set up, choose Setup and complete set up.
4. If it is set up, choose "Remove this sign-in option". Start again at #1 and complete setup.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if this resolves your issue or if you require additional assistance.

Regards,

David N.

Community Independent Advisor

Hello!

I have looked into it, and it appears that on some Windows 11 systems it is necessary to run SFC as admin.

To do this:

1. Choose Start and type "cmd". Run command prompt as admin.
2. Enter "sfc /scannow" without quotation marks.
3. Wait until it completes and note the message that you get.

You said that you ran that command. That is supposed to be DISM, correct? This command should only be needed if the files that SFC uses to repair Windows themselves need repairing. If SFC runs and says that it is not able to make repairs then the DISM command followed by SFC is the next step.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if this resolves your issue or if you require further assistance.

HI David,

Here is a screenshot of the full sign-in options window. I do not have an option for a PIN, nor do I see any setup options.