Windows 11: Fingerprint Option Is Currently Unavailable

Fingerprint recognition may sometimes stop working on Windows 11. When you try to set up your fingerprint reader, your computer says, “This option is currently available,” and you’re prompted to try again later. Try restarting your machine and check if you notice any improvements. If the issue persists, follow the troubleshooting steps below to solve the problem.

Fix Windows 11 Fingerprint: This Option Is Currently Unavailable

Update Your Fingerprint Driver

First things first, let’s see if this is a driver-related issue. Let’s start off by updating the fingerprint driver.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Go to Biometric devices.
3. Right-click on your fingerprint reader.
4. Select Update driver.
5. Search automatically for drivers and install the latest driver version.

Alternatively, select Browse my computer for drivers to update your driver version manually. Then, select the driver you want to use and check the results.

Reinstall the Fingerprint Driver

If you still can’t use your fingerprint reader, try reinstalling the driver.

1. Go back to Device Manager.
2. Select Biometric devices.
3. Right-click on your fingerprint driver.
4. Select Uninstall device.
5. Restart your computer to automatically reinstall the latest fingerprint driver.

Disable Faulty USB Drivers

Relaunch the Device Manager, scroll down to Universal Serial Bus Controllers, and check if one of the controllers has a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark on it. This indicates the device is not working properly.

Simply right-click on the faulty USB driver, select Properties, and click on the Driver tab. Then hit the Disable device button, and wait for 30 seconds.

Enable the device and check if the exclamation mark is still there. Navigate to Settings →Accounts →  Sign-in options, and check if the fingerprint option is available.

If the issue persists, uninstall the faulty USB driver, and restart your computer to reinstall the default driver.

Disable the Fingerprint Driver

Some users have fixed this issue by disabling the fingerprint driver. Open the Device Manager again, right-click on the fingerprint driver, select Properties and click on the Driver tab. Then, click on Disable device, wait for a few seconds, and re-enable this option.

Switch to a Local Account

Try switching to a local account, and check if you notice any changes.

1. Navigate to Settings.
2. Select Accounts, and click on Your info.
3. Select Sign in with a local account instead.
4. Enter your user name, password, and password hint.
5. Then, sign out and hit Finish.

If you still can’t use the fingerprint reader, make sure the Credential Manager service is set to Automatic.

1. Click on the Search icon, and type services.msc.
2. Double-click on the Credential Manager.
3. Set the startup type to Automatic.
4. Then, click on the Log On tab.
5. Select Log On As: Local System Account.
6. Tick the checkbox that says Allow service to interact with desktop.
7. Save the settings, and restart your computer.

Edit Your Registry

Before tweaking your Registry, don’t forget to create a restore point. In case anything goes wrong, you’ll be able to restore your data.

1. Click on the Search icon and type Registry Editor.
2. Double-click on the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System.
4. Right-click on an empty area in the right-hand pane.
5. Select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name the new entry AllowDomainPINLogon.
7. Double-click on the entry and set its value to 1.
8. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
9. Check if the fingerprint option is available.

Conclusion

If the fingerprint option is unavailable on Windows 11, update your fingerprint driver to the latest version. If the issue persists, reinstall the driver, and disable faulty USB drivers. Then, disable the fingerprint driver, and switch to a local account. Additionally, tweak your Registry and create a new AllowDomainPINLogon entry.

Did you manage to restore your fingerprint reader’s functionality? Which of the methods above did the trick for you? Let us know in the comments below.