If Windows Hello says it couldn’t find a fingerprint scanner or a camera compatible with Windows Hello Face, the usual causes are: the device does not have supported hardware, Windows Hello is not fully set up, drivers/firmware need updating, or the biometric device is not being detected.
Try these steps in order:
- Sign in with PIN or password first If biometric sign-in is failing, use a PIN or password so Windows settings can be changed.
- Check whether the PC actually supports both features
- Windows Hello Face requires a compatible IR camera.
- Windows Hello Fingerprint requires a built-in or supported fingerprint reader.
- A normal webcam used for video calls is not enough for Windows Hello Face.
- Some devices do not support one or both features. For example, Surface Laptop 13-inch 1st Edition and all Surface Laptop Go models do not support facial recognition.
- Make sure Windows Hello is configured Open Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and check whether Facial recognition (Windows Hello) or Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello) can be set up.
- Install the latest Windows, driver, and firmware updates On Surface devices, open the Surface app and expand Help & support to check update status, then select Check for updates if updates are available. If the device is not a Surface, update the device drivers in Windows, especially biometric and camera-related drivers.
- If face recognition is available but not recognizing properly Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Facial recognition (Windows Hello) > Improve recognition and re-scan the face. If appearance changed significantly, remove the face scan and set it up again.
- If fingerprint recognition was working before or is available intermittently
Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello) and:
- select Add a finger or Add another to register more than one fingerprint
- or select Remove, then Set up again Also make sure the finger and reader are clean and dry.
- If using an external fingerprint reader or camera on Windows 11
Enhanced sign-in security can block some third-party devices.
In Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Additional settings, check Enhanced sign-in security:
- If using a non-ESS device, turning it off can allow the device to work.
- Warning: disabling Enhanced sign-in security removes existing ESS enrollments and associated credentials such as passkeys.
- Run the Windows Hello troubleshooter If facial recognition is the issue, run the Windows Hello troubleshooter from the provided Microsoft troubleshooter link.
- If the hardware is missing, there is no software fix If the PC does not include a compatible fingerprint reader or IR camera, Windows Hello Fingerprint or Face cannot be enabled until supported hardware is added.
- Last resort if Windows Hello worked before If the problem started after a recent app, driver, or update, a restore or reset can help. This can affect installed apps and settings, so back up important data first.