Facebook asks for passkey and Windows 10 asks me to insert an USB even if that is not a configured login option

Question

Facebook asks for passkey and Windows 10 asks me to insert an USB even if that is not a configured login option. I use Firefox, but I see from a search on the net that similar issues happend with Edge and Chrome. Even if USB key is not a configured login option they keep asking for it. How do I get past this problem? Some thread s say I should go to account settings and remove USB as a login option. But that is not possible in Windows 10. And only option that is enabled is PIN-code.

Answer 1

Hello Lars-Erik Østerud, thanks for posting this in the community.

In Windows 10, the Security Key entry shown under Sign‑in options does not indicate that a physical USB security key has been configured on the device. It simply reflects that Windows supports FIDO and WebAuthn authentication and can work with external security devices if requested. This capability is automatically enabled the first time a WebAuthn‑capable website is used, and Facebook is one such site. In other words, Windows is not saying that a YubiKey or similar device is registered on your system, only that the system itself supports external FIDO authenticators.

Even though Windows displays USB security key support, the actual trigger for the prompt comes from Facebook. For that reason, the recommended first step from a Microsoft support point of view is to remove the passkey directly from the Facebook account rather than trying to change anything in Windows.

Sign in to Facebook using an alternative method such as your password, an SMS code, or an email verification code. Once signed in, open Facebook settings, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. From there, open Accounts Center, select Password and security, and then open Passkey. Remove the passkey that is associated with your Windows device. After removing it, log out of Facebook, clear the browser’s site data for facebook.com, and then restart Windows.

This process stops Facebook from requesting a passkey during sign‑in, which in turn prevents Windows 10 from prompting for a USB security key.

Kind regards,

John Oli

Answer 2

One strange thing I see is that in the account setting the USB key seems to be configured.
But I have NEVER done that. And I can't get rid of it.
Because clicking on "Adminster" asks for the USB key to be inserted.
How do I delete the USB key login info completly from the system?

Answer 3

It seems that you are experiencing issues with Facebook requesting a passkey and Windows 10 prompting for a USB security key, even though you have not configured it as a login option. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot this problem:

1. Check Account Security Settings: Go to your Facebook account settings and review the security settings. Look for any options related to two-factor authentication or security keys. If a USB key is listed as an option, you may want to remove it if you do not intend to use it.
2. Windows Security Settings: In Windows 10, you can manage your sign-in options by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Ensure that only the PIN code option is enabled and that any USB security key options are not configured.
3. Browser Settings: Since you mentioned using Firefox, Edge, and Chrome, check if any browser settings or extensions are interfering with the login process. Clear your browser cache and cookies, and try logging in again.
4. Update Your Software: Ensure that your Windows 10 and browsers are up to date. Sometimes, updates can resolve compatibility issues.
5. Disable USB Key Prompt: If the USB key prompt persists and you cannot find an option to disable it in Windows, you may need to check for any third-party security software that could be enforcing this requirement.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider reaching out to Microsoft support or Facebook support for further assistance.

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References:

• Support for passkeys in Windows
• Intro to passkeys