I am unable to use my fingerprint scanner. My laptop defaults to using pin everytime

Question

My fingerprint scanner does not work. It does not recognize me.

Answer 1

Dear Roberta Canty, 

Thank you for your question and for sharing the details into Microsoft Q&A Forum. 

I understand how inconvenient it is when Windows keeps prompting for a PIN and your fingerprint is not being recognized. At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in both the AI generated answer and the Independent Advisor’s answer on your thread. In the meantime, you can try the following additional steps below: 

1. Clean the fingerprint sensor and re-try scanning 

• Gently wipe the fingerprint sensor with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. 
• Try scanning the same finger again using a slightly different angle and keep the finger in place for 1–2 seconds. 
• If you have another enrolled finger, test with that finger as well. 

2. Manually switch to “Fingerprint” on the sign-in screen  

• On the Windows sign-in screen, select Sign-in options. 
• Choose the Fingerprint icon (instead of PIN) and try scanning again. 
• If the fingerprint option is not shown there, please proceed to the next step 

3. Reset the Windows Biometric database  

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, then press Enter. 
• Find Windows Biometric Service > right-click > Stop. 
• Open File Explorer and go to: C:\Windows\System32\WinBioDatabase 
• Rename the folder WinBioDatabase to WinBioDatabase.old (administrator permission may be required). 
• Restart the PC. 
• Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and set up your fingerprint again. 

I hope the steps above help restore Windows Hello fingerprint sign-in so your device recognizes your fingerprint again and you can sign in without relying on the PIN each time. Wishing you a smooth experience getting the fingerprint scanner working properly and returning to your usual workflow. 

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Answer 2

Hi, I'm Bernard, a fellow Windows user. I'm happy to help!

Based on your inputs, it seems that there is an incompatibility with the Fingerprint driver. Moreover, kindly follow the steps below for us to sort out the issue:

-Press the Windows key + X

-Go to Device Manager

-Expand the Biometrics

-Look for your Fingerprint driver

-Right-click and click Update Driver

-Select Browse my computer for drivers

-Click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer

-Choose an old driver or another driver name, then select it and hit next until it installs.

-Restart the PC and check.

Note: If the issue persists, please download and install a Fingerprint driver from your manufacturer's website.

Answer 3

If your fingerprint scanner is not working and your laptop defaults to using a PIN, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Device Manager: Ensure that the fingerprint scanner is listed under Biometric devices in Device Manager. If it's not listed, there might be a driver issue.
2. Reinstall Drivers: Right-click on the fingerprint scanner in Device Manager and select Uninstall Device. Restart your laptop, and Windows should attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.
3. Remove and Re-enroll Fingerprint: Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Remove the existing fingerprint enrollment and then re-enroll your fingerprint.
4. Check Biometric Services: Ensure that the biometric service is running. You can restart it by opening a command prompt as an administrator and entering net stop wbiosrvc && net start wbiosrvc.
5. Verify Windows Hello Settings: Make sure that Windows Hello is set up correctly and that your device meets the requirements for Enhanced Sign-in Security.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to check for any Windows updates or consider filing a feedback item using the Feedback Hub if the problem persists.

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References:

• Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security
• Windows Hello errors during PIN creation