Windows Hello Not Working: Face & Fingerprint Fixes After Updates

If Windows Hello not working January 2026 sounds familiar, you’re not alone. After January 2026 Windows updates, many Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs started showing biometric login failed after update symptoms—Face sign-in looping, fingerprint readers refusing to scan, or Windows forcing repeated PIN prompts and resets. In most cases, the root cause is a mix of TPM/PIN credential corruption, driver conflicts, or security policy changes that disable sign-in options.

This guide covers the most common symptoms, safe DIY checks (no risky registry edits), and the right time to use Windows Recovery options. If you’re in Palm Beach County and you’re locked out or stuck in a PIN reset loop, Fix My PC Store in West Palm Beach can help repair credentials and align drivers/firmware safely.

Windows Hello not working January 2026: What changed after updates?

Windows updates can touch the parts of the system that Windows Hello relies on:

• Windows Hello container & credentials (PIN, biometric templates, and related security files)
• TPM (Trusted Platform Module) state used to protect keys for Hello
• Biometric drivers (fingerprint sensor) and camera drivers (especially IR for Face)
• Security baselines/policies that can disable certain sign-in methods

When any of these components are out of sync, you may see missing sign-in options, repeated PIN prompts, or errors that look like a hardware failure even when the hardware is fine.

Common symptoms: biometric login failed after update

Here are the top signs we’re seeing after January updates:

• Fingerprint reader stopped working (no response, “Try again,” or sensor not detected)
• Camera IR not detected (Face sign-in fails instantly or the IR camera disappears from Device Manager)
• Sign-in options missing (only password shows; Face/Fingerprint toggles vanish)
• PIN reset Windows Hello loop (keeps asking to set up a PIN again, or “Something went wrong”)
• TPM lockout symptoms: repeated credential prompts, “Your PIN is no longer available,” or inability to use Hello even after re-enrollment
• Windows update sign-in issue: sign-in works with password but Hello fails, or device becomes “untrusted” for Hello

Before you change anything: safe checks that don’t risk your data

1) Confirm you can still sign in (password fallback)

If Windows Hello fails, try Sign-in options on the lock screen and choose Password. If you can sign in with password, troubleshooting is safer because you can adjust drivers and Hello settings without recovery tools.

2) Restart twice (not shutdown)

After updates, Windows can finish driver and security component configuration across multiple restarts. Use Restart (not Shutdown) and restart twice.

3) Check for a pending update + optional driver updates

Go to Settings → Windows Update and install:

• Any pending cumulative updates
• Optional updates (especially driver updates for biometrics/camera)

4) Verify time, date, and internet connectivity

Incorrect time/date can break sign-in flows and credential validation, especially on Microsoft accounts. Ensure Windows time is correct and synced.

Fixes for “sign-in options missing” in Windows 10/11

1) Confirm Windows Hello is enabled and allowed

Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Look for Windows Hello Face/Fingerprint availability. If you see messages like “This option is currently unavailable,” continue below.

2) Check device requirements in Device Manager

Open Device Manager and review:

• Cameras (look for IR/Hello camera entries)
• Biometric devices (fingerprint sensor)
• Security devices (TPM)

If you see a yellow warning icon, right-click the device and choose Properties to view the error. Avoid random third-party driver tools; use Windows Update or the PC manufacturer’s official support site.

3) Ensure the Windows Biometric Service is running

Press Win+R, type services.msc, and confirm:

• Windows Biometric Service is set to Automatic and is Running

If it’s stopped, start it and try Hello again.

PIN reset Windows Hello: How to break the loop safely

Many January 2026 cases involve PIN/Hello container issues. Try these steps in order (no registry edits required):

1) Remove and re-add the PIN (when you can sign in)

Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → PIN (Windows Hello):

• Choose Remove (if available)
• Restart
• Choose Add and create a new PIN

2) Re-enroll Face/Fingerprint after the PIN is stable

Once the PIN works reliably, remove and set up Face/Fingerprint again. Hello biometrics often depend on a healthy PIN/TPM key relationship.

3) If PIN removal is grayed out or fails

This can happen with work/school policies or corrupted credential storage. At this point, it’s usually faster and safer to have a technician repair the credential container and validate TPM/driver state. If you’re local, schedule computer repair for Windows sign-in issues so we can restore Hello without risking account lockouts.

TPM lockout symptoms: what they look like and what not to do

The TPM protects cryptographic keys used by Windows Hello. After certain updates, you may encounter:

• “Your PIN is no longer available”
• Hello setup repeatedly fails even after reboots
• Business devices prompting for work credentials or refusing PIN enrollment

What not to do: avoid clearing TPM unless you understand the impact

Clearing the TPM can break access to protected items (commonly BitLocker-protected drives) if you don’t have recovery keys. If BitLocker is enabled and you clear TPM without the recovery key, you can be locked out of your data.

Microsoft’s official guidance for Windows Hello and sign-in troubleshooting is a good reference point; use it to confirm safe steps before making major security changes: Microsoft Support: Windows Hello.

Camera IR not detected: Fix Windows Hello Face after updates

1) Confirm the IR camera exists (and isn’t disabled)

In Device Manager → Cameras, look for entries that indicate an IR/depth camera (varies by manufacturer). If the camera is missing:

• Check View → Show hidden devices
• Restart the PC
• Install optional driver updates

2) Roll back or reinstall the camera driver (safe method)

If Face sign-in broke right after an update:

• Right-click the camera → Properties → Driver
• Try Roll Back Driver (if available)
• Or Uninstall device (leave “delete driver” unchecked), then restart to let Windows reinstall it

3) Check privacy settings that can block the camera

Go to Settings → Privacy & security → Camera and ensure camera access is enabled for the system.

Fingerprint reader stopped working: Fix Windows Hello Fingerprint

1) Clean and re-enroll fingerprints

It sounds simple, but oil/residue plus a new driver sensitivity profile can cause repeated failures. Clean the sensor gently and re-enroll fingerprints after the PIN is stable.

2) Reinstall the biometric device driver

In Device Manager → Biometric devices:

• Right-click fingerprint device → Uninstall device
• Restart
• Run Windows Update again (including optional updates)

3) Watch for security software conflicts

Some endpoint protection or anti-malware tools can interfere with sign-in components after updates. If your PC also shows performance issues or suspicious pop-ups, run a reputable scan and consider professional cleanup via virus and malware removal service. For general malware prevention and cleanup best practices, see Malwarebytes resources.

When to use Windows Recovery options (and when to stop)

Use recovery options if you’re locked out

If you can’t sign in at all, try these in order:

• Password sign-in via Sign-in options
• Microsoft account password reset (from another device) if applicable
• Safe Mode (Advanced startup) to remove a problematic driver update
• System Restore (if enabled) to roll back the system state

Stop and get help if BitLocker recovery appears

If Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key, don’t guess. Continued attempts can waste time and increase risk. This is a good moment to bring the device in—especially if you need data protected on the drive. If you’re concerned about files, we can advise on data recovery options before making changes that could impact access.

Palm Beach County IT help: when to bring it to Fix My PC Store

If you’ve tried the safe steps above and still have Windows update sign-in issues, it’s usually a credential/driver/firmware alignment problem that benefits from hands-on diagnostics. Fix My PC Store in West Palm Beach helps Palm Beach County residents and businesses with:

• Windows Hello credential repair (PIN/biometric container rebuild)
• TPM/BitLocker-safe troubleshooting (protecting your data)
• Camera IR and fingerprint driver remediation using manufacturer-verified packages
• Windows Update cleanup and stability checks
• Remote assistance for sign-in troubleshooting when possible via remote support for Windows login problems

Local service areas: West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, and surrounding Palm Beach County communities.

Quick checklist: fastest path to restore Windows Hello

• Restart twice and finish Windows Update + optional driver updates
• Confirm Biometric Service is running
• Verify camera/biometric devices in Device Manager
• Stabilize the PIN first, then re-enroll Face/Fingerprint
• Avoid clearing TPM unless you have BitLocker recovery keys and understand the impact
• If locked out or BitLocker prompts appear, stop and seek professional help