Windows fingerprint issue

[hari2025]

The Windows Hello fingerprint sign-in option is showing as "currently unavailable," and the system states that it "couldn't find a fingerprint scanner compatible with Windows Hello.I downloaded and installed the Synaptics Fingerprint Driver from the "Driver-Keyboard, Mouse and Input Devices" section of the support page,but the issue is not resolved.Could you please provide further assistance? Any advanced diagnostics or a different driver to try would be greatly appreciated.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @hari2025 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for sharing the screenshot — that helps a lot ✅

Here’s what I can see and what you can try next:

 

What’s happening:

Windows Hello is saying “We couldn’t find a fingerprint scanner compatible with Windows Hello Fingerprint.”

In Device Manager, under Human Interface Devices, I don’t see a dedicated fingerprint sensor listed (usually shows up as “Synaptics WBDI”, “Validity Sensor”, “Fingerprint Sensor”, etc.).

This suggests that either:

The fingerprint sensor hardware is not being detected at all, or

The wrong / incomplete driver is installed, so Windows can’t recognize it.

Step 1: Check if fingerprint hardware is detected at all

In Device Manager, go to the View menu → select Show hidden devices.

Look under Biometric devices (should normally list your fingerprint reader).

If you see it but with a yellow warning ⚠️ → driver issue.

If you don’t see Biometric devices at all → system isn’t detecting the fingerprint hardware.

Step 2: Install the correct driver

The “Synaptics HID Device” shown in your screenshot is not the fingerprint driver. Try this instead:

Go back to your HP support page for your exact laptop model.

Look for Driver – Keyboard, Mouse and Input Devices or Driver – Security.

You should find a driver called something like “Synaptics WBDI”, “Validity Fingerprint Sensor”, or “Biometric Driver”.

Download and install that one.

Restart after installation.

Then check if Biometric devices appears in Device Manager.

Step 3: Run HP diagnostics

Open the HP Support Assistant → go to Troubleshooting → Diagnostics → run a Component Test → Fingerprint Reader.

This will confirm if the hardware itself is detected and working.

Step 4: Windows Hello reset

If the driver shows up properly but Windows Hello still fails:

Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.

Remove all existing fingerprints.

Reboot.

Try adding a fingerprint again.

Step 5: If still missing

If no biometric device appears even after the correct driver, the fingerprint sensor might be disabled in BIOS/UEFI:

Restart your laptop → press Esc/F10 (depending on model) to enter BIOS.

Check under Security → Biometric Devices.

Make sure the fingerprint reader is enabled.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye