The HP Spectre x360 15 is a flagship convertible laptop with the Intel Core i7-1365U processor and a built-in fingerprint reader for Windows Hello. When the fingerprint reader stops working, you lose fast biometric login and must fall back to a PIN or password. The good news: this is almost always a driver or settings issue with a clear fix.
Common Causes
- Outdated fingerprint driver
- Windows Hello not set up or reset after update
- Synaptics or Goodix service not running
- BIOS security setting blocking fingerprint
- Corrupt fingerprint enrollment data
- HP Wolf Security interference
Quick Fixes
- Re-enroll fingerprints in Windows Hello
- Update driver from HP Support
- Restart the biometric service
- Check BIOS security settings
- Run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics
Detailed Fix Steps
Fix 1: Re-enroll Your Fingerprint
Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello). Click Remove to delete existing fingerprints, then click Set up to re-enroll. This resolves issues caused by corrupt enrollment data.
Fix 2: Update the Fingerprint Driver
Visit HP Support, enter your Spectre x360 15 serial number, and download the latest Fingerprint Driver (typically Synaptics or Goodix). Uninstall the existing driver first via Device Manager, then install the downloaded driver and restart.
Fix 3: Restart the Windows Biometric Service
- Press Win + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter - Find Windows Biometric Service
- Right-click and select Restart
- If it is stopped, right-click and choose Start
- Set the Startup type to Automatic
“After a Windows update, my Spectre x360 15 fingerprint reader vanished from Device Manager entirely. Downloading the Synaptics driver from HP Support and reinstalling it brought everything back within minutes.”
— Azrul Hisham, finance professional
Fix 4: Check BIOS Security Settings
Restart and press F10 to enter BIOS. Under Security or Advanced, look for a Fingerprint Device or Integrated Security Device Configuration option. Ensure it is set to Available or Enabled.
Fix 5: Disable HP Wolf Security Temporarily
HP Wolf Security can occasionally interfere with biometric authentication. Temporarily disable it from the HP Wolf Security app and test the fingerprint reader. If it works, reconfigure the HP Wolf Security policy to allow biometric login.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ryan holds a Computer Science degree and has spent over 15 years troubleshooting Windows hardware and driver issues across major laptop brands. He writes practical, step-by-step guides for everyday users at softwaredriverdownload.com.
Why did the HP Spectre x360 15 fingerprint reader stop working after a Windows update?
Windows updates sometimes overwrite or reset fingerprint drivers and biometric services. Re-enrolling fingerprints in Windows Hello and updating the driver from HP Support usually restores functionality.
The fingerprint reader is not showing in Device Manager. What should I do?
First check BIOS to confirm the fingerprint device is enabled. If it appears in BIOS but not in Windows, try scanning for hardware changes in Device Manager (Action menu). If it is still missing, download and reinstall the HP fingerprint driver from HP Support.
How many fingerprints can I enroll on the HP Spectre x360 15?
Windows Hello supports up to 10 fingerprints per account. You can enroll multiple fingers for the same user or different fingers for different accounts on the same device.
Can I use the fingerprint reader to log into websites and apps?
Yes. Once set up in Windows Hello, the fingerprint reader can be used to authenticate in supported browsers (Edge, Chrome) and apps that support Windows Hello passwordless login.
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