How to Fix Windows Hello Fingerprint Not Working After Reboot in Windows 11

Fingerprint works fine during the session. But after a reboot? Nothing. The sensor doesn’t respond. Or Windows says, “Couldn’t recognize your fingerprint.” Every single restart. Usually a driver or power management issue. More common than it should be after Windows updates.

Why This Happens

Here’s the deal. Windows 11 has a power management feature that turns off USB devices to save power. Including your fingerprint sensor. After a reboot, the sensor doesn’t wake up properly.

There’s also Enhanced Sign-In Security (ESS). If your hardware doesn’t fully support it, Windows blocks biometric login after reboots as a “security” measure. And driver conflicts from Windows updates make it worse.

Multiple things breaking at once. Annoying. So yeah.

Table of Contents

Fix 1 – Restart the Windows Biometric Service

Quick fix. The biometric service sometimes doesn’t start properly after boot.

1 – Click Start and type cmd in the search bar.

2 – Right-click Command Prompt in the results.

3 – Click Run as administrator.

4 – Type this command and press Enter:

net stop wbiosrvc && net start wbiosrvc

5 – Try your fingerprint now.

Works after this? The service just needed a kick. But you’d need to do this every boot unless you fix the root cause below.

Fix 2 – Reinstall the Fingerprint Driver

Driver conflicts after updates are the most common root cause.

1 – Right-click Start.

2 – Click Device Manager.

3 – In the list, expand Biometric devices by clicking the arrow next to it.

4 – Right-click your fingerprint sensor.

5 – Click Uninstall device.

6 – Check Attempt to remove the driver if that option appears.

7 – Click Uninstall.

8 – Restart your PC. Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.

9 – Test your fingerprint after reboot.

And if it still fails, download the latest fingerprint driver from your laptop manufacturer’s website. Their driver is usually more compatible.

Fix 3 – Disable Power Management for the Sensor

Windows turns off the sensor to save power. Then it doesn’t wake up after reboot.

1 – Right-click Start.

2 – Click Device Manager.

3 – Expand Biometric devices.

4 – Right-click your fingerprint sensor.

5 – Click Properties.

6 – Click the Power Management tab at the top.

7 – Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

8 – Click OK.

9 – Restart.

This keeps the sensor powered on at all times. Fixes the “works during session but not after reboot” problem.

Fix 4 – Disable Enhanced Sign-In Security

ESS can block fingerprint login if your hardware doesn’t meet its requirements.

1 – Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2 – Click Accounts from the left sidebar.

3 – Click Sign-in options on the right side.

4 – Scroll down to Additional settings.

5 – Find the Enhanced Sign-In Security setting.

6 – Turn it off.

7 – Restart.

If this setting isn’t visible in Settings, you can adjust it via the registry. Go to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinBio and look for SupportPeripheralsWithEnhancedSignInSecurity.

Fix 5 – Re-register Your Fingerprints

Sometimes the enrolled fingerprints themselves get corrupted. Starting fresh helps.

1 – Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2 – Click Accounts from the left sidebar.

3 – Click Sign-in options on the right side.

4 – Expand Fingerprint recognition by clicking it.

5 – Remove all existing fingerprints.

6 – Click Set up to re-enroll your fingerprints.

7 – Restart and test.

How to Prevent This

Disable power management for the fingerprint sensor. Prevents the wake-up issue.
After Windows updates, test fingerprint login immediately.
Keep firmware and chipset drivers updated from your manufacturer’s website.
If ESS causes problems, keep it disabled.