If your PC is equipped with fingerprint scanner, you can use your fingerprint to sign in to Windows 10. We have also discussed about setting up fingerprint in our how to use fingerprint to sign in to Windows 10 guide.
Over the past week, two readers have asked us to publish a solution to greyed out fingerprint setup button in Settings > Accounts > Sign in options section. If you’re also looking to setup fingerprint on your Windows 10 PC but the setup button is greyed out, please read on to know the solution.
Solutions to greyed out fingerprint setup in Windows 10
Solution 1 of 3
Setup PIN first
A large section of Windows 10 users not aware of the fact that the PIN must be setup first to be able to setup fingerprint. In other words, you must be using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 10 to be able to use fingerprint scanner as the PIN can’t be setup without signing in with a Microsoft account. That is, setup PIN to see fingerprint setup button.
If you’re sure that you’re using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 10, please go through our use PIN to sign in to Windows 10 guide for step-by-step instructions to setup PIN on your PC. Note that your PC must be connected to the Internet in order to setup PIN.
Also, when you haven’t setup PIN, you’ll see “You must setup a PIN before you can enroll in Windows Hello” message just above Fingerprint setup button.
Solution 2 of 3
Check the fingerprint scanner driver is installed
If your Windows 10 includes a fingerprint scanner and the correct driver is installed, you should see Fingerprint section under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. In other words, the Fingerprint section will not appear if there is no fingerprint scanner in your PC or if the correct fingerprint scanner driver is installed.
If your PC has fingerprint scanner but it’s not appearing in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, it’s a good idea to visit your PC’s manufacturer’s website to download the latest version of the driver for your fingerprint scanner.
And if the fingerprint option is not being show under Setting > Accounts > Sign-in options even when the driver is installed, you can use the following directions to update your fingerprint scanner driver in Windows 10.
Step 1: Right-click on Start button on taskbar to open the power user menu and then click Device Manager to open the same.
Step 2: If your PC is equipped with a fingerprint sensor, you will see Biometric devices entry in Device Manager.
Step 3: Expand Biometric devices entry, right-click on your finger print scanner and then click Update Driver Software message.
Step 4: Click the first option labeled Search automatically for updated driver software to let Windows 10 automatically search for the newest version of the driver and automatically install the same, if available.
Solution 3 of 3
Check BIOS/UEFI to turn or off fingerprint scanner
On most PCs, the fingerprint scanner can be turned on or off in BIOS or UEFI settings. So, above solutions didn’t help you, do open BIOS/UEFI and then open security section to see an option to turn on or off fingerprint scanner.
Curtis Parker says
The PCs in my company are Windows 10 build 1809. Mostly Lenovo X1 Yogas and P330s and some Surface Pros. They are domain-joined to a 2012 R2 domain and they are subscribed to Office 365 for email and Office Pro Plus. We have an E3 license in Office 365. When a user registers the Office apps using their own O365 license, it connects Windows to their work account. Disconnecting that allowed me to setup PIN and Fingerprint. Here’s how to do it:
1. Go to Windows Settings -> Accounts -> Access Work or School. The key setting is the “Work or School Account” with the colorful windows logo by it. Disconnect that. Don’t touch the “Connected to whatever domain” setting.
2. Then click on “Sign-in Options”. Fingerprint and PIN are no longer greyed out. If it’s still greyed out, then make sure “convenience PIN sign-in” is enabled.
3. Add the PIN, then the Fingerprint.
4. Go back to “Access Work or School” in Settings -> Accounts.
5. Click Connect and Enter the user’s email address and password.
The only group policy currently in effect is the “Turn on Convenience PIN sign-in” setting under Policies, Administrative Templates, System, Logon. Note that this is NOT Windows Hello for Business. This is still just password stuffing. Some day, convenience PIN sign-in will be depracated and we’ll have to do it the secure way.