Fixing Windows Hello Issues Following a Windows 10 Update

Fixing Windows Hello Issues Following a Windows 10 Update

Windows Hello is one of Windows 10’s most convenient features, offering quick and secure sign-in using facial recognition, fingerprint login, or PIN authentication. However, after certain Windows 10 updates, some users find that Windows Hello suddenly stops working. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on biometric login for fast access to your device.

Common issues include Windows Hello not recognizing your face or fingerprint, options appearing greyed out, or Windows Hello simply refusing to set up. These problems often occur due to driver incompatibility, configuration errors, corrupted files, or changes introduced during the update.

This guide explains all the key methods to fix Windows Hello issues effectively.

Restart Your Computer

Before trying more complex solutions, a simple restart can often resolve temporary failures caused by incomplete updates, driver loading issues, or system glitches.

Perform a Full Restart

1. Open the Start Menu

2. Click Power

3. Select Restart

Wait for the system to reboot and test Windows Hello again.

Check for Additional Windows Updates

Sometimes Microsoft releases patches to fix issues caused by previous updates. Installing the latest updates may restore Windows Hello functionality.

How to Check for Updates

1. Open Settings

2. Select Update & Security

3. Choose Windows Update

4. Click Check for updates

If an update is available, install it and restart the PC afterward.

Reinstall or Update Biometric Drivers

Windows Hello relies heavily on biometric hardware drivers such as fingerprint scanners or infrared cameras. After an update, outdated or corrupted drivers can cause Windows Hello to stop working.

Update Biometric Drivers

1. Right-click the Start Menu

2. Select Device Manager

3. Expand Biometric devices

4. Right-click your fingerprint or IR camera device

5. Select Update driver

6. Choose Search automatically for drivers

Restart your PC once the update completes.

Reinstall the Driver

If updating doesn’t help:

1. Right-click the biometric device

2. Select Uninstall device

3. Check Delete the driver software for this device if available

4. Restart your computer

Windows will reinstall the default driver automatically.

Update Your Camera Driver

For facial recognition, Windows Hello uses the IR camera driver. Sometimes the camera is listed under Imaging devices, Cameras, or USB devices.

Update the Camera Driver

1. Open Device Manager

2. Locate your camera

3. Right-click and select Update driver

4. Restart your PC

If the camera is disabled, right-click and select Enable device.

Enable Biometrics in Group Policy (Pro and Enterprise)

A Windows update may modify Group Policy settings, disabling biometric authentication.

Enable Biometrics Through Group Policy

1. Press Windows + R

2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter

3. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Biometrics

4. Double-click Allow the use of biometrics

5. Set it to Enabled

6. Also enable:

   • Allow users to log on using biometrics

   • Allow domain users to log on using biometrics

Restart the computer and try Windows Hello again.

Reset Windows Hello Facial or Fingerprint Recognition

If biometric data becomes corrupted, Windows Hello may fail to recognize your face or fingerprint.

How to Reset Windows Hello

1. Open Settings

2. Select Accounts

3. Click Sign-in options

4. Under Windows Hello Face or Fingerprint, click Remove

5. Click Set up again to re-wp-signup.php

6. Follow the instructions to complete the setup

This often solves recognition problems caused by corrupted biometric data.

Delete the NGC Folder (Resets Windows Hello Settings)

Windows Hello stores PIN and biometric configuration inside the NGC folder. Corruption in this folder can prevent Windows Hello from working.

Steps to Reset the NGC Folder

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer

2. Navigate to:
   C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC

3. You may need admin permissions to access this folder

4. Select all items inside the NGC folder and delete them

5. Restart the computer

6. Reconfigure Windows Hello through Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options

This method often fixes stubborn Windows Hello errors.

Check for Camera Privacy Settings

Windows 10 includes privacy options that may block the camera, preventing facial recognition.

Verify Camera Access Settings

1. Open Settings

2. Select Privacy

3. Click Camera

4. Turn on Allow apps to access your camera

5. Make sure Windows Hello Face is allowed to use the camera

Additionally, check if there is a hardware privacy shutter covering your camera.

Ensure the Required Windows Services Are Running

Windows Hello depends on several system services. If these services stop or fail during an update, Windows Hello may not work.

Restart Key Services

1. Press Windows + R

2. Type services.msc

3. Press Enter

4. Locate and ensure these services are Running:

   • Windows Biometric Service

   • Credential Manager

   • Windows Hello Service (if listed)

Right-click each service and select Restart.

Try Creating a New Local User Account

If your user profile is corrupted, Windows Hello may fail to operate correctly.

How to Create a New Account

1. Open Settings

2. Select Accounts

3. Click Family & other users

4. Choose Add someone else to this PC

5. Create a local account

6. Restart and log in with the new account

7. Try setting up Windows Hello

If it works in the new account, your old profile may be corrupted.

Try Rolling Back the Camera or Biometric Driver

After a Windows update, new drivers may cause compatibility issues. Rolling back to the previous version can fix the problem.

Rollback Driver

1. Open Device Manager

2. Right-click the biometric or camera device

3. Choose Properties

4. Go to the Driver tab

5. Click Roll Back Driver if available

6. Restart your PC

Uninstall the Latest Windows Update

If the issue started immediately after updating Windows 10, removing the problematic update can help.

How to Uninstall a Recent Update

1. Open Settings

2. Select Update & Security

3. Click Windows Update

4. Choose View update history

5. Click Uninstall updates

6. Remove the most recent update

7. Restart your system

This can restore Windows Hello functionality if the update caused the issue.

Conclusion

Windows Hello is a powerful and convenient feature, but updates can sometimes disrupt its functionality. Fortunately, most issues can be resolved through a combination of driver updates, system configuration, resetting biometric data, and verifying service settings. By following the methods in this guide, you can usually restore Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint, or PIN login without needing to reset your computer.