Monday, September 21, 2020

Fingerprint reader not working after sleep in Windows 10


Milan Stanojevic
by Milan Stanojevic

Deputy Editor


  • Some users happen to leave their PC asleep just to see that the fingerprint reader stops working.
  • Some productive tips include grabbing the latest fingerprint reader drivers and updating your BIOS.
  • Unauthorized access may be prevented when using a password too. Feel free to check out these great password managers.
  • Prevent issues from affecting your PC performance by vising our Windows 10 Troubleshooting Hub.
Fingerprint reader not working after sleep

One of the best ways to protect your Windows 10 device from unauthorized access is to use a password, or better yet – a fingerprint.

Unfortunately, few users have reported that the fingerprint reader is not working after Windows 10 wakes up from sleep, so let’s fix that.

This issue is particularly common on the following manufacturers’ devices: HP, Lenovo, Asus, Dell.

What can I do if the fingerprint reader is not working?

  1. Download the latest drivers for your fingerprint reader
  2. Check power management settings
  3. Disable and enable Credential Manager service
  4. Disable and enable your fingerprint reader
  5. Lock your device manually
  6. Switch to local account / create a new account
  7. Prevent your PC from turning off USB devices
  8. Uninstall fingerprint software
  9. Remove and recreate your PIN
  10. Update your BIOS

1. Download the latest drivers for your fingerprint reader

try out DriverFix

If the fingerprint reader isn’t working after you wake up your computer from sleep, maybe it’s time to perform a driver update.

To perform this task, you basically need to go to your laptop manufacturer’s website, look for the most recent drivers, and download them.

If you’d like to avoid the hassle of searching for drivers on your own, you can use a dedicated tool that will do this for you automatically. We are talking about DriverFix, which is both user-friendly and efficient.

Just install it by using the link below and the program will start scanning your PC for outdated drivers, including those of your fingerprint reader.

After the scan is complete, you get a report on all drivers that need your attention, so feel free to update only the fingerprint reader drivers or the complete driver’s batch.

DriverFix updating drivers

This approach of using DriverFix to correct any driver-related issues proves to be fruitful most of the time, so you won’t even have to worry about applying other troubleshooting tips at all.

DriverFix

DriverFix

Getting fingerprint issues after sleep? Signs point to a driver-related cause, so use DriverFix to update them!

2. Check power management settings

  1. Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
    device-manager
  2. When Device Manager opens, locate your fingerprint reader. It should be located in Biometric Devices section.
  3. Right-click your fingerprint reader and choose Properties.
    properties-driver
  4. Navigate to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
    allow-computer-to-turn-off-this-device
  5. Click OK to save changes.

If your fingerprint reader isn’t working after you wake up Windows 10 from Sleep Mode, you might want to check its power management settings. To do that, follow the above steps.

Most users don’t know what to do when the Windows key stops working. Check out this quick guide and be a step ahead.

3. Disable and enable Credential Manager service

  1. Press Windows Key + R shortcut to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc and click OK or press Enter.
    run-services
  2. When the Services window opens, locate Credential Manager service and double click it.
    services-credential-manager
  3. The Credential Manager Properties window will open. Go to the Service status section and click on Stop.
    credential-manager-properties
  4. After you’ve stopped the service, click on Start to restart the service.
  5. Click Apply and OK to save changes.

Sometimes problems with fingerprint readers can be fixed if you restart certain services.

Users have reported that they have managed to fix this issue by disabling and enabling the Credential Manager service, and you can do that as well if you follow the above steps.


Credential Manager isn’t working on Windows 10? Check out this handy guide to quickly solve the problem.


4. Disable and enable your fingerprint reader

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Locate the Biometric Devices section and expand it.
  3. Find your fingerprint reader, right-click it, and choose Disable from the menu.
    device-manager-disable
  4. Right-click the fingerprint reader again, but this time choose Enable.

Certain problems with the fingerprint reader can be fixed simply by disabling it and enabling it back again. To do that, follow the given procedure.

For more info on what to do when your fingerprint doesn’t work in Windows 10 check out this dedicated guide.

5. Lock your device manually

use Windows Key + L

This is a simple workaround if your fingerprint reader isn’t working after sleep mode.

In order to avoid any problems with the fingerprint reader, just lock your laptop (by pressing Windows Key + L on your keyboard) before you close the lid.

F Users have reported that using the Windows Key + L shortcut on the lock screen fixes the problem with the fingerprint reader.

However, we have to mention that you’ll have to use this shortcut every time you put your computer to sleep. This might not be the most practical solution, but users are reporting that it works.


 Does your PC still refuse to go to sleep? Fix the issue once and for all by following this useful guide.


6. Switch to local account / create a new account

switch to local account

  1. Go to Settings and click on the Account icon.
  2. In your account click Sign in with a local account instead.
  3. You’ll be asked to enter the current password. Now click on Next.
  4. Set your user name, the password for your local account. After doing that, click on Next.
  5. Now click on Sign out and finish.

Some users reported that switching to a local account resolves this issue. And that’s exactly what we’re going to try now. Used the above steps to switch from your regular Microsoft account to a local account.

If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, take a look at this article to solve the issue.

Windows won’t let you add a new user account? Follow some easy steps and create or add how many accounts you want!

7. Prevent your PC from turning off USB devices

USB devices

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Go to the Universal Serial Bus controllers section and double click USB Root Hub.
  3. Navigate to the Power Management tab. Now uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click on OK to save changes.
  4. Repeat these steps for all USB Root Hub devices that you have on your PC.

There’s a chance your computer is set to automatically disable USB devices. If that’s the case, you’ll have to change that.

8. Uninstall fingerprint software

fingerprint software

  1. Open the Settings app. You can do that quickly by using Windows Key + I shortcut.
  2. The Settings app will now appear. Navigate to the Apps section.
  3. Locate the fingerprint reader software on the list and select it. Now click the Uninstall button.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the uninstallation process.

Reinstallation is a good old solution for just about any problem. And we’re going to give it a try. Uninstall your fingerprint software by following the above procedure.


Need more info on how to uninstall programs and apps on Windows? We’ve got you covered with this detailed article.


9. Remove and recreate your PIN

recreate your PIN

  1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the Accounts section.
  2. Select Sign-in options from the menu on the left. In the right panel go to the Windows Hello section and click on the Remove button under Fingerprint.

After removing fingerprints, you need to remove your fingerprint driver. Now you need to download and install the latest driver for your fingerprint reader.

Lastly, you need to register two new fingerprints. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings app > Accounts > Sign-in options.
  2. Make sure that you have a PIN set up. If not, set up your PIN now.
  3. Go to the Windows Hello section in the right pane and click on the Setup button.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up your fingerprint.
  5. After adding a fingerprint, go to the Windows Hello section and click on Add another button.
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen to add another fingerprint.

If the Windows Hello fingerprint doesn’t work, you can easily fix it by following this amazing guide.


10. Update your BIOS

update your BIOS

And finally, if none of the solutions above resolved the problem, one final thing you can try is updating BIOS.

But remember, this should be your last resort, because updating BIOS is a risky business, and one wrong step can basically render your computer unusable.

If you want to find out more about updating BIOS, check out the link below. But still, if you’re not sure in what you’re doing, ask a professional for help.


Updating BIOS seems scary? Make things way easier with the help of this handy guide.


Although the fingerprint reader provides the best security for your Windows 10 device, some problems, such as this one, can occur.

If you have any problems with the fingerprint reader and sleep mode, feel free to try some of our solutions.

As always, for more suggestions or questions, Don’t hesitate to reach for the comments section below.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2018 and has been since revamped and updated in September 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for letting us know! You can also help us by leaving a review on MyWOT or Trustpillot.

Get the most from your tech with our daily tips

Tell us why!


Thank you for viewing the article, if you find it interesting, you can support us by buying at the link:: https://officerambo.com/shop/

No comments:

Post a Comment