Having issues with your ASUS VIVOBOOK fingerprint not working? Discover easy troubleshooting steps and solutions to get your fingerprint sensor working again!
Fingerprint scanners are a convenient way to unlock your ASUS VivoBook quickly and securely. However, when the fingerprint sensor stops working, it can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this issue. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common causes and solutions for fixing the fingerprint scanner on your ASUS VivoBook.
1. Check for Dust and Dirt
One of the simplest yet often overlooked causes of fingerprint sensor issues is the buildup of dust and dirt. The fingerprint sensor needs a clean surface to accurately read your fingerprint.
Solution:
- Use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water or a small amount of rubbing alcohol.
- Gently wipe the fingerprint sensor to remove any dust, dirt, or oils from your fingers.
- Allow the sensor to dry completely before attempting to use it again.
If the issue persists after cleaning, proceed to the next steps.
2. Reboot Your ASUS VivoBook
Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve many issues, including problems with the fingerprint scanner. Restarting your device refreshes the system and can clear temporary glitches that might be causing the sensor to malfunction.
Solution:
- Click on the Start menu.
- Select Power and then Restart.
- Wait for your ASUS VivoBook to reboot and then try using the fingerprint sensor again.
If rebooting doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
3. Update Fingerprint Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of hardware issues, including fingerprint sensor malfunctions. Ensuring that your drivers are up to date is crucial for the proper functioning of your device.
Solution:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager, expand the Biometric devices category.
- Right-click on the fingerprint sensor driver and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
- After updating, restart your ASUS VivoBook and test the fingerprint sensor.
If the fingerprint sensor still isn’t working, you might need to reinstall the driver.
4. Reinstall Fingerprint Driver
If updating the driver doesn’t resolve the issue, reinstalling it might help. This process removes any corrupted files and reinstalls a fresh version of the driver.
Solution:
- Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
- Expand the Biometric devices category.
- Right-click on the fingerprint sensor driver and select Uninstall device.
- Confirm the uninstallation and then restart your ASUS VivoBook.
- Once the laptop restarts, Windows should automatically reinstall the fingerprint driver. If not, you can manually install it by downloading the latest version from the ASUS website.
Test the fingerprint sensor again after reinstalling the driver.
5. Check Windows Updates
Windows updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues with drivers or software. However, they often contain fixes for known issues, so it’s important to ensure your system is up to date.
Solution:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security and select Windows Update.
- Click on Check for updates.
- If updates are available, download and install them.
- After installing the updates, restart your laptop and check the fingerprint sensor.
If the fingerprint sensor remains unresponsive, try adjusting the settings in Windows Hello.
6. Reconfigure Windows Hello
Windows Hello is the biometric authentication system in Windows 10 and 11 that manages the fingerprint sensor. If the fingerprint reader is not working, you may need to reset your fingerprint data and reconfigure Windows Hello.
Solution:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select Accounts and go to Sign-in options.
- Under Windows Hello Fingerprint, click on Remove to delete the current fingerprint data.
- After removing, click on Set up under Windows Hello Fingerprint and follow the instructions to register your fingerprint again.
Test the fingerprint sensor after setting it up again to see if the issue is resolved.
7. Run the Hardware Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in hardware troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix issues with hardware components, including the fingerprint sensor.
Solution:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security and select Troubleshoot.
- Click on Additional troubleshooters.
- Select Hardware and Devices and click on Run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
- Restart your laptop and test the fingerprint sensor.
If the hardware troubleshooter doesn’t fix the issue, the problem may lie deeper in the system.
8. Perform a System Restore
If the fingerprint sensor stopped working after a recent system change, performing a system restore can revert your laptop to a previous state where everything was functioning correctly.
Solution:
- Press Windows + S and type System Restore.
- Select Create a restore point and click on System Restore.
- Choose a restore point from a date when the fingerprint sensor was working.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system.
After the restoration process is complete, check if the fingerprint sensor is working.
9. Reset Your ASUS VivoBook
If none of the above solutions work, you may need to reset your ASUS VivoBook to its factory settings. This should be a last resort, as it will remove all your files and apps.
Solution:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security and select Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, click on Get started.
- Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything, depending on whether you want to keep your personal files.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your ASUS VivoBook.
Once the reset is complete, set up Windows Hello and test the fingerprint sensor again.
Conclusion
Having your fingerprint sensor not working on your ASUS VivoBook can be a hassle, but with the steps outlined above, you should be able to fix the issue. Whether it’s a simple matter of cleaning the sensor or reinstalling drivers, these solutions cover a wide range of potential problems. If the fingerprint sensor still doesn’t work after trying all these steps, it may be time to contact ASUS support for further assistance or consider taking your laptop to a professional technician.
