Fingerprint reader not working on Windows 11: "This option is currently unavailable"

Reported
Anonymous
2021-11-28T21:29:19+00:00

I recently got a Dell Inspiron with Windows 11 preloaded. The fingerprint reader was working fine at first, but now it appears to not be working with windows hello. The option to add a finger or remove the fingerprint are greyed out and not clickable.

I've seen posts about this issue in Windows 10, but the fixes aren't working for me.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-02-28T18:59:47+00:00

    I think you will find that the biometric device was not recognized. Consequently, it will not show up under biometric devices in the device manager, but it will show as an error under USB Bus Controllers. The device in question will have a yellow triangle with an exclamation point in it. I have found that if I disable it and restart the computer, the problem will resolve itself. Let me know if this works for you.
    Go to the device manager and see if there is an error in USB controllers.
    Let me know if this works.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-02-28T18:56:30+00:00

    I think you will find that the biometric device was not recognized. Consequently, it will not show up under biometric devices, but it will show as an error under USB Bus Controllers. The device in question will have a yellow triangle with an exclamation point in it. I have found that if I disable it and restart the computer, the problem will resolve itself. Let me know if this works for you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-02-22T21:14:27+00:00

    Here's what I did. (I think, it was a while ago) In the device manager, I opened "Universal Serial Bus controllers" (actually, if there is an error, it should already be open). If there is a problem with one of the devices, there, it will show an exclamation mark (!) inside a yellow triangle. Right-click on the line with the "!" and select "remove device." Then, try rebooting and see if it works.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-02-13T21:04:38+00:00

    The issue is not restricted to Dell or HP products. I have a new Surface Pro 8 that is 5 weeks old came loaded with Windows 11. I have received a couple of updates since buying the Surface. I have the latest OS build 220000.493. All the sign in options show the same message "This option is not currently available". If I click on the sign in option it says this cannot be used until you have a password. My Password with my Microsoft Account is working and I can sign into my account. this is a major problem and I am seeing a lot of people on the net complaining about it. How can this be fixed?

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-02-13T01:01:37+00:00

    Thank you so much for your help. I did everything you recommended and IT WORKED!!!!!!

    Thanks again.

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