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
    2022-08-18T12:56:09+00:00

    It is definitely a Microsoft 11 software problem. I have a Samsung Galaxy Book Flex. I contacted Microsoft and Samsung support to address the problem, and between the two the problem was fixed. I can't say which one though. I just went to use it and it was working. Mine was saying no biometric driver found

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-08-18T13:05:16+00:00

    Hello,

    do they provide some generic steps that I can try?

    Regards

    Giacomo

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-08-18T13:58:13+00:00

    Just the normal troubleshooting like going to settings to see if the driver is installed. You could see if Microsoft or your computer manufacturer can provide you a download for the driver, providing that is the issue

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

    Ok Thanks

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  5. 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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