Logon intermittently bypasses Windows Hello Fingerprint

Hello Jan,

Good to see you in Microsoft Community.

Firstly, could you let me know the specific system version? You can check it by pressing the Win key + R key, and typing "winver", then press Enter, please take a screenshot/photo of it, and only send the relevant information without PII in the next reply.

Then you may follow the steps below:

1. Disable and re-enable the fingerprint scanner

1. Select the search box on the taskbar and type Device Manager and select it in the search results.
2. In Device Manager, expand Biometric devices, right-click your fingerprint scanner, and select Disable device.
3. Right-click the scanner again and select Enable device.

2. Check power management settings

1. In Device Manager, expand Biometric devices, right-click your fingerprint scanner, and select Properties.
2. Select the Power Management tab, and uncheck the box, Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
3. Then in Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click USB Root Hub and select Properties.
4. Select the Power Management tab, and uncheck the box, Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

3. Restart services

1. Select the search box on the taskbar and type Services and select Services in the search results.
2. Locate and right-click Credential Manager within the list of services and select Restart.
3. Then locate and right-click Windows Biometric Service within the list of services and select Restart.

4. Reset Windows Hello

• This will completely reset all Windows Hello configurations, before making sure your account password login is normal. Please run Command Prompt as an administrator ("Win" logo key + "Q", enter "cmd", select "Run as administrator"), and enter the following commands one by one.

    net stop WbioSrvc
  
  
  
    cd C:\Windows\System32\WinBioDatabase
  
  
  
    ren *.DAT *.DAT.BAK
  
  
  
    net start WbioSrvc
  

Additionally, please check if there is any available optional driver update in Windows Settings. Win + I to open Windows Settings > Windows Update > Advanced Options > View optional updates > driver updates (if there is available).

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,

Mosken_L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi Mosken,

Even I have the same issue of directly logging in without any fingerprint verification.

I tried all the above steps you mentioned, but its not working for me.

I suggest you to find any other solution to overcome this as soon as possible.

thank you.

If there is any anti-virus software installed in your system, you may uninstall it to see if the Fingerprint works fine. Since similar software affects the security components and authentication methods of the system itself, it can't be ruled out that they are the cause of your current troubles.

Disclaimer*: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party sites or any support related to technology. If you have any concerns, please contact the service provider of third-party software to get help.*

Regarding the 'Fingerprint cannot be recognized; try another finger', this is normal, it is just a tip to the user and does not mean that the fingerprint login itself is abnormal.

As it's now been almost a week since I re-ran your Step 4, this time making sure to "run as Administrator", I am letting you know that it fixed the intermittent issue with the computer bypassing the Windows Hello Start Screen and going straight to the desktop, or at least for six days it did.

I believe there is an issue involving Fast Startup. Prior to six days ago, I had been using Fast Startup until I read that it can add to your problems, especially when making changes to the system (like an update, or changing a driver). As all the previous 'fixes' I had tried were done while using Fast Startup, before I re-ran your Step 4, I turned off Fast Startup, and did a Restart. I also uninstalled and reinstalled the Fingerprint driver, as I had done it earlier when I was using Fast Startup. Another Restart.

The Fingerprint sign on then worked for six days, so I decided to turn Fast Startup back on today. And the problem came back! Fingerprint sign on only worked for two sign ons, then on the third it became intermittent, again, and bypassed the Windows Hello Fingerprint Start Screen and went straight to the desktop. I have turned off Fast Startup again, and will keep it off, especially if by doing so keeps Windows Hello Fingerprint working. I can only hope it lasts.

While Windows Hello Fingerprint sign did work for those six day, it's seems there is still something a bit abnormal about it. With multiple daily sign ons over the six days, while the Start Screen showed the Fingerprint icon every time, 99% of the time it also showed a message below the icon stating my 'Fingerprint cannot be recognized; try another finger'. This is BEFORE I even scan my print for the first time. I can then scan my finger and complete sign on. Is it normal to get such a message before you even scan your finger? (1% of the time I just get the Fingerprint icon and no message underneath.)

If you have anything more for me to try, let me know. Otherwise, it is what it is and I'll just live with it.

Thanks for your assistance,
Jan

Mosken,

Thank you.

I will re-do Step 4 tomorrow using the Administrator Command Prompt you provided.

The Fingerprint driver update is something I've already done in the many things I tried before contacting you. It didn't help.

I will let you know the outcome of the re-do of Step 4. If all goes well, I'll let you know in a week if things are fixed, earlier if not. (The problem occurs after about ever 4-5 sign ons.)

Jan