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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-08-20T20:48:46+00:00

    Hi, I have the same issue and am useless at figuring at these sort of things. If anyone could help me out that would be great

    My system model is a HP EliteBook 840 G8 Notebook PC and I have Windows 11 Pro

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-08-18T15:11:32+00:00

    I didn't start having problems until I upgraded from windows 10 to 11. I had other issues that I managed to fix myself. I had issues using TurboTax and other software. I hope Microsoft is fixing all of these glitches

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-08-18T14:31:40+00:00

    Ok, thanks

    I have tried all the steps I can find on the internet (but not re-install windows 11). My driver and software are updated with the latest stable version. The only thing I can add more is this (Anyway everything seems fine for Windows security all marked with green light):

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-08-18T14:20:26+00:00

    This is a repost of what I wrote in July, 2022 about Windows 10 & 11, fingerprint option "unavailable" issue. Please read as what I found seemed to work:


    Along multiple Windows updates, the "Hello Sign-in Option" is disabled. It no longer allows the user to update/change sign in options. See picture below and do not keep suggesting the enable/disable driver will fix the problem. This is an issue that affects every Windows 10/11 machines that I owned. I am sure I am not the singular case.

    DOES NOT WORK


    Many post about "enable/disable" driver, but it is not addressing the issue that in Windows 10/11 Hello option, the ability to update/add fingerprint is not functioning.

    KNOWN WORKING SOLUTION (Not my findings, but gathered from other users' discovery)


    1. reset PC tends to bring computer back to original condition and thus works!!

    We should not have to reset the PC/re-install windows. This is clearly a Windows 10/11 bug.

    1. reinstall windows 11
    2. Adding a new user had Windows Hello fully functional for fingerprint. Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Other users > "Add account"

    Folks, this is a Windows 10/11 known issues. Please take it up to Microsoft. They should fix it ASAP as it affects countless Windows users.

    Phil L.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-08-18T14:01:56+00:00

    Ok Thanks

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