Fingerprint reader quit working with Windows 11 - Acer 5

jimp02

My Acer 5 fingerprint reader was working great with Windows 10. When I changed to Windows 11 it stopped working. There are no options available for the Windows 11 sign-in window (Settings, Accounts, Sign-in Options). Is there a fix available or will one be available in the future? Will the fix be automatically installed by Windows Update?

//Edited the content to add model name.

jimp02

Cumulative update for Windows, KB5004300, was installed 7/23/2021. The device is now working. It was automatically updated with the install.

JackE

Open Device Manager. Do you see any red or yellow warnings?

Easwar

Hi jimp02,

Did you download Fingerprint reader driver from windows website. 

jimp02

There were no warnings in the device manager. I couldn't find the fingerprint reader listed, but I may not have recognized it when I saw it.

The fingerprint reader came with the computer. I didn't download it.

jimp02

Easwar said:

Hi jimp02,

Did you download Fingerprint reader driver from windows website. 

Easwar said:

Hi jimp02,

Did you download Fingerprint reader driver from windows website. 

Easwar said:

Hi jimp02,

Did you download Fingerprint reader driver from windows website. 

The fingerprint reader came with the computer. I didn't download it.

jimp02

Ok, I found the reader in the device manager under Biometric devices. 
It says the device is working properly but it also has an active button to "Update Driver".
There is also a comment that says;
"Device USB\VID_04F3&PID_0C4F\5&2a5b481c&0&7 requires further installation."
Should I be brave and press the "Update Driver" button?

JackE

Yes absolutely..

jimp02

It worked! It installed a ELAN WBF Fingerprint Scanner.
The Settings, Accounts, Sign-in Options reappeared and I had to rescan my fingers.
But it now seems to work.
There wasn't any special indication that this needed to be done. I had to find the property box in the Device Manager, Biometric devices.

Thanks for the help.

JackE

>>>There wasn't any special indication that this needed to be done.>>>

Congrats on your success. I expect that Win11, like Win10, is still a work in need of a lot of progress. 

jimp02

I spoke too soon. It quit working again. Same problem.
I would probably work if I reinstall the driver. But I think I will wait awhile and see if an update fixes it.
This is one of the hazards with trying new stuff.

JackE

Make sure System Protection is turned on in the restore point app so that you can hopefully identify the culprit that is changing back to the non-functional driver. Like Win10, probably an errant Win11 tweak that got in there to mess things up while you weren't looking. 

jimp02

Cumulative update for Windows, KB5004300, was installed 7/23/2021. The device is now working. It was automatically updated with the install.

JackE

Thanks for reporting back. But to repeat, make sure System Protection is turned on in the restore point app just in case the next update unfixes it again.