Windows Hello Not Available On This Device (FIXED)
Windows 7 and later versions supported biometric sign-in. On Windows 10, the biometric sign-in option exists as an official feature known as Windows Hello.
Windows Hello is, essentially biometric sign-in however, it is divided into different types depending on the device used to sign in. Windows Hello Face uses the camera on your system to sign you in via facial recognition. If you use a fingerprint scanner, it will be set up as Windows Hello Fingerprint. And if you use a PIN, you will set up a Windows Hello PIN.
FIX: Windows Hello Not Available On This Device
Windows Hello can be set up in different ways but by far the most selective method is Windows Hello Face. This option doesn’t work with all webcams. Instead, there is a very small list of webcams that can be used to set this feature up.
For Windows Hello Fingerprint, you will find that most fingerprint scanners, even no-name brands will work just fine if the device has been set up correctly.
If you’re trying to use Windows Hello but Windows 10 tells you the feature isn’t available, here are a few things you can do.
1. Check device compatibility
If you’re trying to set up Windows Hello either with a webcam or a fingerprint scanner, you should check if the device is supported.
Use this helpful tool provided by Microsoft to narrow down compatible devices/computers.
2. Install Windows Hello Face
Windows Hello Face is a service that needs to be installed in order for the feature to work. This is an optional feature so there’s a chance it isn’t installed.
- Open the Settings app (Win+I keyboard shortcut).
- Go to Apps.
- Click Optional Features.
- Go through the list of installed features and see if Windows Hello Face is listed.
- If Windows Hello Face is not listed, click Add a feature.
- Enter Windows Hello Face in the search bar.
- Select the feature from the results and click Install.
- Restart the system.
3. Enable Windows Hello from Windows Registry
Windows Hello relies on biometric devices to work and these devices can be disabled from the registry. If they’ve been disabled, you will not be able to set up Windows Hello on your system.
- Tap the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the run box.
- Enter
regeditand tap the Enter key. - Go to the following key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
- Right-click the System key and select New>DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it AllowDomainPINLogon.
- Set its value to 1
- Restart the system.
4. Enable Windows Hello from Group Policy
If you’re using Windows 10 Pro and are connected to a domain, you need to enable Windows Hello from the group policy.
- Tap the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the run box.
- Enter
gpedit.mscand tap the Enter key. - In the column on the left, go to Computer Configuration>Administrative Templates>Windows Components.
- Look for the Allow the use of biometrics policy and enable it.
5. Update drivers
Updating drivers may fix the problem with Windows Hello.
- Open Device Manager.
- For a fingerprint scanner: expand Biometric devices.
- For a webcam: expand Cameras.
- Right-click the device and select Update Driver.
- Select Search Automatically for driver.
- Install all available driver updates and restart the system.
6. Update Windows 10
Check if a Windows update is available and install it.
- Open the Settings app (Win+I keyboard shortcut).
- Go to Update and security.
- Select the Windows Update tab.
- Click Check for Updates.
- Install available updates.
7. Uninstall Windows update
If Windows Hello was working on your system, and it stopped after installing an update, uninstall it.
- Open the Settings app (Win+I keyboard shortcut).
- Go to Update and security>Windows Update.
- Click View Update History.
- Click Uninstall Updates.
- Select the recently installed update that you think is causing problems and uninstall it.
Conclusion
Windows Hello works with select few devices if you’re trying to set up Windows Hello Face but, for Windows Hello Fingerprint, most biometric devices will do the job. You can also use a PIN which is also a Windows Hello sign-in method and Windows 10 prefers it over a password. All you need to set up a PIN is a keyboard.
