Fingerprint Scanner No Longer Working

[LouisaB]

I have always logged onto my computer with the fingerprint scanner. However, following a Windows update last month it has suddenly stopped working.  I tried removing the fingerprint and setting it up again, but after removing the fingerprint already stored the option to set up was greyed out. 

My computer is a home PC and not on any sort of network.  However there is a message on the top of the page telling me that some settings are hidden or managed by my (non-existent) organisation.  

Here is what I have tried so far to get my fingerprint scanner back online. 

I have removed and set up again both the pin and password from the sign in options page. They were set up anyway, but were redone in the hope the option to set up the fingerprint would be made available. It wasn't. 

I have changed my account which I log in with to administrator but the option is still not available. 

I have tried logging in with a local account instead of my regular account.

I have uninstalled the biometrics device from the device manager and reinstalled it.  

I have not updated the driver as it tells me that it is the most recent one already. There is no option to rollback the driver.

I have done all Windows updates that are currently available.  

I have (reluctantly) altered the setting in the privacy - diagnostics and feedback - to full rather than basic. 

I have tried to find the biometrics in the BIOS to enable it that way but cannot find it there. 

I have downloaded and installed the group policy editor (since it wasn't on my machine) but have had difficulties in following the various instructions relating to that.  

Firstly, there is no "biometrics" folder anywhere in the list of folders and certainly not where I am told it should be.  (Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Biometrics).   

Since getting access to all the settings on the page seems to be a problem it was suggested that by getting full access it might allow the setup to become available. Unfortunately I have had no joy in getting full access either. 

It was suggested that it would help to alter a telemetry setting in the Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Data Collection and Preview Builds folder - again this last folder is not there. 

I downloaded all the templates for the Data Collection and Previews Built and went through the instructions to install them, but they are still not showing on the group policy editor.  Even after following some very complicated instructions about the ADML and ADMX files, the folder still does not appear.

Typing REG QUERY "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" into the command prompt to check the telemetry settings does absolutely nothing.  Going into the regedit folder list shows a default file with the data column showing "value not set".

I don't particularly want to roll back Windows updates which will no doubt cause a more problems and may not solve the issue anyway. 

I just want my fingerprint scanner to work the same as it has been doing for the last few years since I bought this laptop.  Instead I am going round in circles and nothing suggested has worked to fix this. 

Does anyone have any idea how I can get this working again, preferably with easy to follow instructions since I am not the most computer savvy person. 

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@LouisaB

Following are a lot of words and only two (possibly three) suggestions marked in cyan.

Commentary

In general, I don't support the older devices for this anymore:  the hardware is old, the drivers are old, Windows 10 is VERY different from when it was introduced.  I don't know as much about this subject as I claimed in years past.  

Details...

I pulled one of the many models in this series to gain some perspective on what you are using.

HP ENVY TouchSmart 15-j000 Notebook PC series

There are about 49 models in this group -- all of which are similar enough to one another that, for this purpose, the differences are likely just not important.

Category Product Information > Topic:  Product Specifications 

The Eagle Sensor for this model is somewhat of a "rare bird" -- though used in several of the Envy (and possibly other) machines, the device hardware itself is still supported by the original 2013 Validity Fingerprint Sensor Driver for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

The lack of a newer driver is likely not problematic - noted for reference only.

In general, there are limited options in this situation, including (and possibly not limited to):

Forced Hard Reset

• Pile of Rubble - Hard Reset Sequence / Forced Reset

Forced Reset clears the driver instructions that usually persist from boot-to-boot.  The Forced Reset forces the computer to read the instructions from the drivers and software stored in the Operating System.   The action of clearing and forcing a new read of the on-disk drivers and software can resolve some problems.

• Stop programs, games, browsers
• Create a Restore Point

Control Panel > icon view > System > System Protection > 

Click (Highlight) your main disk (C) > Select Create a Restore Point

• Read the instructions, watch the video: Hard Reset

• Close all your programs and Shut down the notebook
• Disconnect external USB drives, external monitors, other "extra" bits (NOTE: Little Unifier for the keyboard / external mouse can stay)
• Perform the Hard Reset / Forced Reset procedure for your system model / battery type
• Boot the computer and log in

Reminder: 

A Hard Reset / Forced Reset clears the memory and reestablishes the software connections between the BIOS and the hardware.

Forced Reset is a device Reset.  The Forced Reset procedure does not wipe out your files nor does it destroy your Windows software or data. 

Video Help:

Performing a Hard or Forced Reset on Your HP Notebook (Fixed Battery)

Performing a Hard or Forced Reset on Your HP Notebook (Removable Battery)

Driver Install

Uninstall /Delete the Fingerprint Sensor in the Device Manager > Biometrics

Restart the computer and log in

Download, Save, and (Re)Install the Fingerprint Sensor Driver

Validity Fingerprint Sensor Driver

Update the Security Software

In general, when the Windows fingerprint logon does not work, adding more software does not help. 

Doubtful you missed anything; check and verify:

Windows 10: Add or Remove Fingerprint for Account in Windows 10  

Sometimes, IF you were already using it, updating the SimplePass software might help.

Download, save, and Install (over the top of your existing version):

sp86959 HP SimplePass V8.01.92 W10 32-64bit.exe

Notes:

The BIOS does not provide the settings you seek because consumer grade computers lack the Advanced tab and the options to enable / disable the biometrics.  Consumer grade machines have the biometrics set to "always enabled".  (You do not need the setting.)

Group Policy methodology is available on Windows Pro.   Want Group Policy editing?  Upgrade your Windows 10 to Windows 10 Pro.  Regardless, this is not likely the problem.  (Could be, just not likely...)  In general, Group Policy components are already in a default "null" condition -- that just means most of the time it is not necessary to set anything to "enabled" when the default condition is sufficient for home networks.  (There is an exception to this but the need was for Windows 8 and is years in the past.)

If you have a router, you have a network.

If you are connected to the Internet, you have some means of doing that -- usually by means of a router that talks to your ISP (Internet Service Provider).  The router manages the traffic between your computer, your other devices (TV, iPad), and the Internet.

While I understand the value of hacking at the registry (sometimes it is necessary), in this instance I do not have anything to add of value to what you are doing.  I have not used editing the registry to regain access to the fingerprint sensor / security software.

What??

All of this verbiage means :

• Forced Reset
• Reload the driver
• Try to get Windows 10 fingerprint logon to work
• Update your SimplePass security software

Good Luck.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

[LouisaB]

I did have SimplePass on my machine and updating that seems to have fixed it.   

Thank you so much. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@LouisaB

Excellent -- in general, reloading (or updating) SimplePass is a good idea and in this case it was the "magic" needed to untangle the setup.

You are welcome and I am glad the issue is resolved.

Remember to verify that you can log into your computer using your actual password for the account.

Why?  PIN and Fingerprint may fail -- and Poof!  Locked out.

Paranoid about not being able to get into your own computer?

Create an extra account - a "local" account without the Microsoft login.  After the account is created, "Edit" the account and change the type to "Administrator".  Give the account a really good password.  Write down the password on a slip of paper and put the paper in your safe or other "not obvious, but easily found by you" location.

Log out of your computer.  Log into the newly created account just to test that it works.

Log out of the new account and leave it alone.

Reference

Dragon Document

Create a User Account with Administrative Privileges

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.