How to Fix Windows Hello Not Working on Windows 11

Windows Hello is a convenient biometric authentication feature in Windows 11 that allows you to sign in using facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN. If Windows Hello stops working or fails to initialize, it can be quite frustrating. This guide covers common causes and detailed solutions to get Windows Hello up and running again.

Table of Contents

1. 1. Preliminary Checks

1. 1. Ensure Your Device Supports Windows Hello

1. 1. Run Windows Update

1. 1. Check and Update Biometric Drivers

1. 1. Reconfigure Windows Hello

1. 1. Enable Biometric Settings via Group Policy or Registry

1. 1. Reset Windows Hello Data

1. 1. Check Windows Biometric Service

1. 1. Run Windows Troubleshooters

1. 1. Perform System File Check (SFC) and DISM Scan

1. 1. Create a New User Profile

1. 1. Restore System to Previous Restore Point

1. 1. Contact Support / Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

1. Preliminary Checks

Before diving into technical solutions:

• • Restart your PC: Simple restarts often fix temporary glitches.

• • Check if your hardware is clean and functional: For fingerprint sensors, clean the sensor with a soft cloth. For facial recognition, make sure the camera is unobstructed.

• • Ensure proper lighting: Facial recognition needs adequate lighting.

• • Confirm your Windows 11 edition: Windows Hello is available on most editions, but some enterprise editions may restrict biometrics.

2. Ensure Your Device Supports Windows Hello

Not all PCs have the necessary hardware (IR camera for face, fingerprint sensor) required for Windows Hello.

• • Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

• • Look for Windows Hello Face / Fingerprint / PIN.
    • • If options are missing, your device might not have compatible hardware.

3. Run Windows Update

Updating Windows can fix bugs causing Windows Hello issues.

• • Press Windows + I to open Settings.

• • Navigate to Windows Update.

• • Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

• • Restart your PC.

4. Check and Update Biometric Drivers

Faulty or outdated drivers may cause Windows Hello to malfunction.

How to update:

• • Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

• • Expand Biometric devices or Imaging devices (for camera).

• • Right-click your fingerprint sensor or camera device, then select Update driver.

• • Choose Search automatically for drivers.

• • If no update is found, visit your PC manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers manually.

• • After updating, restart your PC.

If device is missing or has error:

• • In Device Manager, right-click and select Uninstall device.

• • Restart your PC to allow Windows to reinstall the driver.

5. Reconfigure Windows Hello

Sometimes, removing and setting up Windows Hello again solves authentication issues.

• • Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

• • Under Windows Hello Face or Fingerprint, select Remove.

• • After removal, click Set up and follow the instructions to re-register your biometric data.

• • Ensure you also have a PIN set up as a fallback method.

6. Enable Biometric Settings via Group Policy or Registry Editor

Sometimes Windows Hello is disabled system-wide.

Using Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise):

• • Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

• • Navigate to:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Biometrics

• • Double-click Allow the use of biometrics.

• • Set it to Enabled, then click Apply and OK.

• • Also check:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Biometrics > Allow users to log on using biometrics

• • Set it to Enabled.

• • Restart your PC.

Using Registry Editor (Windows 11 Home or if no Group Policy):

• • Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

• • Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Settings\AllowSignInOptions

• • Double-click value, set the data to 1.

• • Also check:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\Credential Providers

• • Make sure biometric providers are enabled.

• • Restart your PC.

7. Reset Windows Hello Data

Corrupted biometric or PIN data can cause issues.

• • Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

• • Select Windows Hello Face/Fingerprint, choose Remove.

• • Reset your PIN by clicking Remove and then setting it up again.

• • You can also try clearing the Ngc folder (stores Windows Hello data) by:
    1. 1. Open File Explorer.
    1. 1. Navigate to: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc
    1. 1. If you can’t access it, take ownership of the folder.
    1. 1. Delete all contents inside the folder.
    1. 1. Reboot and reconfigure Windows Hello.

8. Check Windows Biometric Service

Biometric services might be stopped or malfunctioning.

• • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

• • Find Windows Biometric Service.

• • Check if the Status is “Running”.
    • • If not running, right-click and select Start.

• • Set Startup type to Automatic.

• • Restart your PC.

9. Run Windows Troubleshooters

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can fix biometric device issues.

• • Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

• • Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

• • Run Windows Store Apps troubleshooter if authentication apps are involved.

• • Follow the prompts and apply fixes.

10. Perform System File Check (SFC) and DISM Scan

Corrupted system files can cause Windows Hello to malfunction.

• • Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
    • • Press Windows + S > type cmd > Right-click Command Prompt > Run as Administrator.

• • Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

sfc /scannow

• • Wait for it to finish.

• • Then run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• • Restart your PC afterward.

11. Create a New User Profile

User profile corruption can cause sign-in issues.

• • Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.

• • Click Add account.

• • Create a new local user or Microsoft user account.

• • Log out and log in with the new account.

• • Set up Windows Hello again and test functionality.

12. Restore System to Previous Restore Point

If Windows Hello worked recently, restoring to a previous state may help.

• • Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and press Enter.

• • Choose a restore point prior to the issue.

• • Follow instructions and restore.

• • Check Windows Hello functionality after restore.

13. Contact Support or Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If nothing works:

• • Contact your device manufacturer or Microsoft Support for specialized help.

• • Backup your data.

• • Consider reinstalling Windows 11 as a last resort.

• • Use a strong yet simple PIN to avoid lockouts.

• • Avoid third-party biometric software conflicts.

• • Ensure no recent updates have disabled biometrics (check update history and uninstall if needed).

• • Always keep Windows Defender or antivirus up-to-date.