Fingerprint Reader Not Working on Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2
Ryzen 5 7535U
Biometric Fix
The fingerprint reader on the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 is a core security feature, but it frequently stops responding after Windows updates or a clean installation. The steps below address the most common root causes, starting with the quickest fix.
Update the fingerprint driver from Lenovo Support
Visit the Lenovo Support site, enter ThinkPad E16 Gen 2, and go to Drivers & Software. Filter by Biometric and download the latest fingerprint driver — typically listed as Synaptics or Goodix. Run the installer and restart the laptop when prompted.
Re-enroll your fingerprint in Windows Hello
Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Under Windows Hello Fingerprint, click Remove to clear stored data, then click Set up to re-enroll. Follow the on-screen prompts and scan each finger at least five times for a strong match.
Reinstall the device in Device Manager
Press Win + X and open Device Manager. Expand Biometric Devices, right-click the fingerprint entry, and choose Uninstall device. Tick the box to delete the driver software, confirm, and restart. Windows reinstalls the driver automatically on the next boot.
Verify the fingerprint reader is enabled in BIOS
Restart and press F1 at the Lenovo logo to open BIOS Setup. Go to Security → Fingerprint and confirm the reader is set to Enabled. Some BIOS or firmware updates silently reset this setting to disabled.
Run Lenovo System Update for firmware
Download Lenovo System Update from the support site, run a full scan, and install all critical and recommended packages. Fingerprint firmware updates are sometimes delivered only through this tool — not through Windows Update — and can be the final piece needed.
Hafiz, Kuala Lumpur: “My fingerprint sensor stopped working after a Windows cumulative update. Re-enrolling after reinstalling the Synaptics driver from Lenovo Support fixed the issue in under ten minutes.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my fingerprint reader stop working after a Windows update?
Windows updates can replace the OEM fingerprint driver with a generic one that lacks the Windows Hello integration Lenovo includes. The fix is to reinstall the latest driver from Lenovo Support and re-enroll your fingerprint.
What does a yellow warning icon on the fingerprint device in Device Manager mean?
It indicates a missing or corrupted driver. Uninstall the device entry from Device Manager, choose to delete the driver software, restart the laptop, and reinstall the correct driver from Lenovo Support.
Can I use a generic Synaptics driver from the Synaptics website?
It is best to use only the Lenovo-customized driver. Generic drivers may not include the Windows Hello integration layer that Lenovo adds, so the reader may be detected but still fail to work for sign-in.
Will a Windows Reset erase stored fingerprint data?
Yes. A Windows Reset removes all biometric data. After resetting you will need to reinstall the fingerprint driver and set up Windows Hello Fingerprint from scratch in Sign-in options.
Ryan holds a Computer Science degree and has over 20 years of hands-on experience with PC hardware, software, and driver troubleshooting. He is the author behind softwaredriverdownload.com, where he helps everyday users fix driver issues quickly and accurately. Ryan has personally tested most of the fixes on this site across a range of Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines.
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