Why is my Windows Hello fingerprint function 'unavailable'?

I’m experiencing the same issue.

Lenovo ThinkBook 16P - G5 model—it has a fingerprint sensor on the power button.

I’m a Windows Insider subscriber.

Everything was working fine before the Windows 11 Pro 26H2 update.

When I pressed the power button while the computer was off, it recognized my fingerprint and the computer booted up without any issues.

After the 26H2 update,

when I press the power button, the fingerprint sensor doesn’t work and the desktop doesn’t appear. I unlock the screen with a PIN.

If the computer goes into sleep mode while it’s on,

or if I restart it without shutting it down first,

the fingerprint sensor works on the lock screen and my desktop appears.

The problem is this: when the computer is turned on for the first time, it won’t boot using the fingerprint sensor on the power button.

The fingerprint sensor works later on. This is an issue during the initial startup.

I deleted the fingerprints and re-registered them. It didn’t fix the problem.

I reinstalled the system using the 26H2 ISO, but it didn’t fix the problem.

There’s no driver update available on the Lenovo support page either.

Hello Leann the Swiftie Park!

Thanks for posting your question to the Q&A forum.

From what you described, Windows Hello fingerprint on your Windows 11 is showing “this option is currently unavailable,” so you’re unable to add it as a sign‑in method. The causes for this issue can vary, including account, driver problems, service, or policy settings, …

Below are some troubleshooting methods you can try:

1. Remove work/school account

Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. Check if an organization account is listed; if yes, select it and click Disconnect.

Restart the PC and test again.

If the issue persists:

2. Run Windows Update to install the latest patches and drivers.

3. Open Services, right‑click Windows Biometric Service, set Startup type to Automatic, then stop and restart the service.

4. Update or reinstall the fingerprint driver

Win + X > open Device Manager, expand Biometric devices, right-click your fingerprint scanner, and select Update driver (or Uninstall device then restart for auto-reinstall).

5. Enable Biometrics at the policy level

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry or workgroups is usually geared towards advanced users and it can help fix some problems, however, improper registry modifications can cause serious problems. Therefore, please make sure to follow the steps below strictly. For further protection, make a backup of the registry before modifying it. For more information on how to backup and restore the registry, please refer to: How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Open Registry Editor and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Biometrics

Set Enabled from 0 to 1

Hope one of these could help you! I'm here if you need further support!

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Check in Device Manager, if you've fingerprint driver installed there.

Hi Leann,

Let us check what we can do.

Please supply the following Information.

Right-click the Start button and Choose the Run option

Type in msinfo32

Press enter.

Take a screenshot of the System Summary window and post it in the next reply.

I look forward to your response and am eager to collaborate until we find a solution.