Solved Unable to add fingerprint after fresh re-install

deepakpc007 · Jan 14, 2025

I have been using my fingerprint sensor without any issues. But after I re-installed Windows 11 Pro it is not allowing me to add a fingerprint. It says "You have reached the 10 fingerprint maximum for this account".

What I tried so far:

Re-installed Windows 2-3 times. Formatted the drive too.
Cleared TPM cache.
Fingerprint sensor driver was automatically getting installed. But still I updated the driver manually.

Nothing worked. I'm not sure why this is getting shown. It would be really helpful if someone can help me with this.

FreeBooter · Jan 14, 2025

Remove your fingerprint, then set it up again. To remove your fingerprint, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello Fingerprint > Remove. After that, select Set up to set it up again.

Troubleshoot problems with Windows Hello on Surface - Microsoft Support

If you’re having problems signing in to your Surface using Windows Hello, try these solutions.

support.microsoft.com

deepakpc007 · Jan 14, 2025

FreeBooter said:
Remove your fingerprint, then set it up again. To remove your fingerprint, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello Fingerprint > Remove. After that, select Set up to set it up again.

Troubleshoot problems with Windows Hello on Surface - Microsoft Support

If you’re having problems signing in to your Surface using Windows Hello, try these solutions.

support.microsoft.com

I don't have any fingerprints added. It is a fresh install. I only have a password and a PIN.

FreeBooter · Jan 14, 2025

How did you clear TPM chip?

What kind of computer are you using?

idgat · Jan 14, 2025

deepakpc007 said:
I don't have any fingerprints added. It is a fresh install.

Did you actually go into that setting and check?

idgat · Jan 14, 2025

deepakpc007 said:
Fingerprint sensor driver was automatically getting installed. But still I updated the driver manually.

Does the problem exist before the additional manual update?

antspants · Jan 14, 2025

Try removing your device from your Microsoft account?

Then: (Found online)

1- Type "services.msc" in the Run prompt (Win+ R) and pressing Enter.
2- Locate "Windows Biometric Service", right-click, and stop it.
3- Navigate to "%windir%/system32/winbiodatabase" in explorer address bar.
4- Set show hidden system files in file explorer. Copy all files inside this folder to a different location، then Delete those files from the original folder.
5- Restart the Windows Biometric Serv in first/second step

Remove Linked Devices from your Microsoft Account

This tutorial will show you how to remove linked Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs and Xbox consoles devices from your Microsoft account. When you sign in to a device with your Microsoft account, that device will get added and linked to your Microsoft account. When you add a device to your...

www.elevenforum.com

deepakpc007 · Jan 14, 2025

FreeBooter said:
How did you clear TPM chip?

What kind of computer are you using?

Cleared TPM by running tpm.msc. I'm using a desktop. Ryzen 7 5800X3D CPU.

deepakpc007 · Jan 14, 2025

idgat said:
Does the problem exist before the additional manual update?

Yes.

In the fingerprint setup in the settings, there are no fingerprints added.

deepakpc007 · Jan 14, 2025

antspants said:
Try removing your device from your Microsoft account?

Then: (Found online)

1- Type "services.msc" in the Run prompt (Win+ R) and pressing Enter.
2- Locate "Windows Biometric Service", right-click, and stop it.
3- Navigate to "%windir%/system32/winbiodatabase" in explorer address bar.
4- Set show hidden system files in file explorer. Copy all files inside this folder to a different location، then Delete those files from the original folder.
5- Restart the Windows Biometric Serv in first/second step

Remove Linked Devices from your Microsoft Account

This tutorial will show you how to remove linked Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs and Xbox consoles devices from your Microsoft account. When you sign in to a device with your Microsoft account, that device will get added and linked to your Microsoft account. When you add a device to your...

www.elevenforum.com

Thanks. Tried this now. But still shows the same error.

FreeBooter · Jan 14, 2025

deepakpc007 said:
Cleared TPM by running tpm.msc. I'm using a desktop. Ryzen 7 5800X3D CPU.

Try clearing TPM from BIOS setup screen.

antspants · Jan 14, 2025

^ Also, you could clear cmos or reflash the BIOS. Don’t know what dif it would make

Try removing the pin and trying again.

markw51 · Jan 14, 2025

Ok, I had this issue a while back with my Dell Inspiron and after endless searching found a solution which if I remember correctly, I'll detail below:

1. Open explorer and select view/show/Hidden Items
2. Next navigate to Windows/System32/WinBioDatabase
3. There you will find one or more files ending with .DAT. DO NOT DELETE THEM!!!
4. Right click on each in turn and select 'Edit in Notepad'
5. Delete all contents of the file, it will look like gibberish but that's fine.
6. Save each file to the desktop PRESERVING THE FILE NAME!!!
7. Then copy and paste each file back into WinBioDatabase OVERWRITING the existing files.
8. Reboot and then you should find your fingerprint will enrol again.

deepakpc007 · Jan 14, 2025

markw51 said:
Ok, I had this issue a while back with my Dell Inspiron and after endless searching found a solution which if I remember correctly, I'll detail below:

1. Open explorer and select view/show/Hidden Items
2. Next navigate to Windows/System32/WinBioDatabase
3. There you will find one or more files ending with .DAT. DO NOT DELETE THEM!!!
4. Right click on each in turn and select 'Edit in Notepad'
5. Delete all contents of the file, it will look like gibberish but that's fine.
6. Save each file to the desktop PRESERVING THE FILE NAME!!!
7. Then copy and paste each file back into WinBioDatabase OVERWRITING the existing files.
8. Reboot and then you should find your fingerprint will enrol again.

@FreeBooter @antspants I reset the TPM and CMOS from BIOS. Still the same issue.

@markw51 I tried your solution. But still the same error. I stopped Windows Biometric Service. Saved the .DAT file to desktop and then overwrote the file in WinBioDatabase. After restarting the Biometric service or the PC, it is still showing the same.

Could it be because of 24H2? Before resetting my PC I had 23H2 and I didn't get update to 24H2. Could downgrading to 23H2 work?

hsehestedt · Jan 14, 2025

There is a known bug where certain fingerprint sensors are currently not working. I recall reading about it in known issues somewhere. Microsoft has generated a bunch of new bugs in recent Windows updates and this is one of them. Technically, it's possible that it may be the fingerprint sensor driver at fault, but the problem was introduced by MS, so more likely a Windows bug since these sensors worked in previous builds.

This problem has been ongoing for several months I believe. I have a Lenovo laptop affected by this issue. Since today (Jan 14) is patch Tuesday, it is my hope that this, along with some other annoying bugs that have been around for several months, will finally get fixed today. Since there were no Jan 2025 preview updates, i have no idea whether this issue finally gets fixed or not until I try the updates later today.

If you apply the updates today, or in the near future, post back here whether or not they resolve the issue. I'll post back how I do with my fingerprint sensor.

BTW, in my case, the sensor is a GoodIX sensor. I am lucky because my specific laptop has both a fingerprint sensor and Windows Hello camera, so the camera automatically logs me in so I pretty much never use the fingerprint sensor anyway. My plan is to wait for today's updates and if they don't resolve the issue I'll place a call to Lenovo to see if they have more info or a workaround.

I'll post updates here later today or tomorrow at the latest.

deepakpc007 · Jan 14, 2025

hsehestedt said:
There is a known bug where certain fingerprint sensors are currently not working. I recall reading about it in known issues somewhere. Microsoft has generated a bunch of new bugs in recent Windows updates and this is one of them. Technically, it's possible that it may be the fingerprint sensor driver at fault, but the problem was introduced by MS, so more likely a Windows bug since these sensors worked in previous builds.

This problem has been ongoing for several months I believe. I have a Lenovo laptop affected by this issue. Since today (Jan 14) is patch Tuesday, it is my hope that this, along with some other annoying bugs that have been around for several months, will finally get fixed today. Since there were no Jan 2025 preview updates, i have no idea whether this issue finally gets fixed or not until I try the updates later today.

If you apply the updates today, or in the near future, post back here whether or not they resolve the issue. I'll post back how I do with my fingerprint sensor.

BTW, in my case, the sensor is a GoodIX sensor. I am lucky because my specific laptop has both a fingerprint sensor and Windows Hello camera, so the camera automatically logs me in so I pretty much never use the fingerprint sensor anyway. My plan is to wait for today's updates and if they don't resolve the issue I'll place a call to Lenovo to see if they have more info or a workaround.

I'll post updates here later today or tomorrow at the latest.

Thanks. My fingerprint sensor is Verimark IT. I'll update my PC and let you know.

hsehestedt · Jan 14, 2025

deepakpc007 said:
Thanks. My fingerprint sensor is Verimark IT. I'll update my PC and let you know.

I should just note that the updates should go live at about 12 Noon US Central time today (18:00 UTC).

andrew129260 · Jan 14, 2025

Do this:

Remove Linked Devices from your Microsoft Account

This tutorial will show you how to remove linked Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs and Xbox consoles devices from your Microsoft account. When you sign in to a device with your Microsoft account, that device will get added and linked to your Microsoft account. When you add a device to your...

www.elevenforum.com

Unlink Device from Microsoft Store for Microsoft Account

This tutorial will show you how to unlink a device from the Microsoft Store for your Microsoft account. The Microsoft Store allows you to use up to 10 devices with your Microsoft account. If you can't download apps and games (content), you've reached your Microsoft Store device limit. Unlink a...

www.elevenforum.com

And then log back into the microsoft account on your pc after a reboot after a few minutes of removing it. Then try the fingerprint enrollment again.

FreeBooter · Jan 14, 2025

See if fingerprint device have software that you can use for login.

BruceR · Jan 14, 2025

Also posted at Windows 11 Pro 24H2 - Not able to add fingerprint after fresh re-install

Solved Unable to add fingerprint after fresh re-install

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