Fix Fingerprint Error “Your device is having trouble recognizing you” in Windows

Fingerprint authentication is an integral part of the Windows feature as it offers a seamless and secure means of accessing your computer. It obviates the need to grapple with intricate passwords or PINs, simplifying your login experience and saving precious time. However, what do you do when Windows fingerprint authentication suddenly becomes cumbersome, displaying the error message, “Your device is having trouble recognizing you. Please try again”? The scenario is not uncommon, and it can be a frustrating issue in your daily routine. The good news is that there are practical solutions to this issue that can restore the convenience and security of your biometric login.

This Fingerprint error commonly occurs because of faulty driver, Fast Startup, incorrect service configuration, or account-related problems. Thankfully, you can easily solve this using the methods in this post.

Your device is having trouble recognizing you in Windows

Here is how to fix Fingerprint Error Your device is having trouble recognizing you in Windows:

Update or Reinstall the older version of Driver

This is the most useful method as maximum number of users report that updating or reinstalling the driver has solved the issue:

1. Right-click the Start icon.
2. Choose Device Manager.
3. Expand Biometric devices category by double-clicking on it.
4. Right-click your fingerprint scanner.
5. Select Update driver.

6. Click on “Search automatically for drivers”.
7. Restart the system and check if the error is resolved.
8. If the issue still persists then again open Device Manager.
9. Under “Biometric devices”, right-click on the driver and select “Update driver”.
10. Select “Browse my computer for drivers”.

11. Click on “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”.

12. Select the older version of the driver and click on Next.
13. Once completed, restart the system.

Also see: Fix: Windows Hello Fingerprint Option Currently Unavailable in Windows 10

Use Troubleshooter for Hardware and Devices

The Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter may automatically identify and address hardware-related issues that can affect and display the fingerprint issue. This particular utility checks your computer’s hardware, including the fingerprint scanner, for problems and makes an effort to fix any conflicts or faults that are found.

By doing this, it can fix the identification issue and enable smooth fingerprint login, restoring the normal functioning of your fingerprint authentication.

1. Press Win + R.
2. Copy-paste msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
3. Click Next in the Hardware and Devices window.
4. Follow on-screen instructions for the resolution if the problem is detected.

Turn Off Fast Startup

Disabling or turning off fast startup can resolve this problem as it will ensure a complete shutdown and reinitialize of hardware components, moreover, potentially eliminate issues that may be leading towards the message:

1. Click on Seach and type control.
2. Press Enter to open Control Panel.
3. Click Power Options.
4. Select Choose what the power button does.
5. Go to the right panel and click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
6. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
7. Click on Save changes.

Configure Windows Biometric Service for Automatic Startup

Moving on to the next step you can also try configuring the Windows Biometric Service to start automatically as it can help to remedy the problem by ensuring that the service in charge of managing biometric authentication including fingerprint recognition, runs consistently and smoothly. The steps to be followed are mentioned below:

1. Press Windows + S and type Services.
2. Hit Enter.
3. Locate Windows Biometric Service.
4. Right-click on this and choose Properties.
5. Set Startup type to Automatic.
6. Click on Start if the Service is not running.
7. Click Apply, then OK.
8. Restart your PC.

Enable Biometric Authentication via Policy Editor

If you are still battling over the fingerprint error message that reads your device is having trouble recognizing you then enabling biometrics using the local group policy editor can be a viable option. However, it can fix it by establishing a foundation of properly configured biometric settings across the board.

1. Press Win + S and open the search menu.
2. Type gpedit.msc.
3. Then, press Enter to launch Local Group Policy Editor.
4. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Biometrics in the left pane.
5. Ensure all policies in the Biometrics folder are enabled.

6. For this, double-click on a policy and select Enabled > Apply > OK.
7. Restart your computer and check for issue resolution.

Remove and Re-Add Your Fingerprint

Another highly effective solution to resolve this issue involves removing and then re-registering your biometric or fingerprint data. This step ensures that your biometric information is current and reduces the likelihood of encountering the “your device is having trouble recognizing you” message.

This simple yet powerful method enhances the precision and dependability of your biometric login.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
3. Under Windows Hello select Remove.

4. Click Set up and follow the on-screen instructions for re-registration.

Generate a New User Profile

A problematic user account can disrupt the functionality of Windows features, often due to corruption within the user account files. When such suspicions arise, a practical solution is to establish and transition to a fresh user account to rectify the issue. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish this:

1. Press Win + I.
2. Go to Accounts > Other users.
3. Click Add account.

4. Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
5. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to create the new user account.
6. Set up Windows Hello fingerprint login for the new user account to check if it resolves the issue.

Install the Latest Windows Update Patch

The installation of the most recent Windows updates has the potential to resolve the issue by delivering crucial security patches and bug fixes, therefore guaranteeing the optimal operation of Windows fingerprint authentication:

1. Right-click on Start and select Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
4. Restart your PC, as needed, to complete the installation.

Run System Restore

If the problem hasn’t been fixed at this point, then, you might want to roll back your PC back to a time when the fingerprint authentication worked properly. If you use this way, it will get rid of any recent changes or conflicts that could be causing the “your device is having trouble recognizing you” error in your Windows.

1. Press Windows key to open the search menu.
2. Type Create a restore point and press Enter.
3. Click System Restore under “System Protection”.
4. Check Choose a different restore point and click Next.
5. Select one then click Next.
6. Review details and click Finish.
7. Your system will restart and return to the chosen restore point.

Methods:
Update or Reinstall the older version of Driver
Use Troubleshooter for Hardware and Devices
Turn Off Fast Startup
Configure Windows Biometric Service for Automatic Startup
Enable Biometric Authentication via Policy Editor
Remove and Re-Add Your Fingerprint
Generate a New User Profile
Install the Latest Windows Update Patch
Run System Restore

That’s all!!