The Dissapearance of Fingerprint (sign-in option) from My Windows 11 Laptop

Try these steps in order:

1. Check updates first
   • Open the Surface app and expand Help & support to check update status, or go to Windows Update and install available updates.
   • Then test Windows Hello again.
2. Check whether the fingerprint option is still available in Sign-in options
   • Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
   • If Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello) is present, select Remove, then set it up again with Set up.
   • While enrolling, place the finger in the middle of the sensor with light pressure and change position slightly a few times.
3. Add another fingerprint if the option is available but recognition is unreliable
   • Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello) > Add another.
4. If the fingerprint option is missing or says no compatible scanner was found
   • Open Device Manager.
   • Check whether the sensor appears under Biometric devices.
   • If it is listed, right-click the fingerprint device, select Uninstall device, then restart the laptop so Windows can reinstall the driver.
5. Restart the Windows Biometric Service
   • This can help when the sensor stops responding after sleep.
   • First remove the PIN in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
   • Then open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

          net stop wbiosrvc && net start wbiosrvc
     

   • Then check whether fingerprint sign-in works again.
   • Warning: removing the PIN changes sign-in configuration temporarily.
6. If PIN also does not work
   • Sign in with the password.
   • Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello) and select I forgot my PIN to reset it.
7. If using an external fingerprint reader
   • On Windows 11, an external or third-party reader may not work if Enhanced sign-in security is enabled.
   • Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Additional settings.
   • If there is an Enhanced sign-in security toggle:
     • For non-ESS devices, turn it off to allow the external reader.
     • For ESS-capable devices, confirm it shows Pending set up and complete setup.
   • Warning: disabling Enhanced sign-in security removes existing ESS enrollments and associated credentials such as passkeys. They can be reprovisioned afterward.
8. If the problem started recently and Windows Hello worked before
   • A recently installed app, driver, or update may be the cause.
   • Try a restore or reset path if needed.

If the fingerprint option disappeared after sleep and the scanner does nothing, the most relevant checks are Device Manager, driver reinstall, and restarting the biometric service.

• Troubleshoot problems with Windows Hello on Surface
• Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security
• Using third-party fingerprint readers and cameras with Windows Hello
• Sign-In Options in Windows