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7 Ways to Fix Windows Hello if It’s Greyed Out

Tested and trusted solutions for Windows Hello if it’s greyed out

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Encountering a greyed out Windows Hello will limit how you can use the biometric sign-in mechanism. Most of our readers reported that they encountered this after a Windows update.

Similarly, this issue will causeWindows Hello not to work. Hence, we will examine the likely causes and solutions for this problem.

Why did Windows Hello grey out?

While there are multiple reasons for this problem, the most prominent cause is an issue with the Windows update. Other likely reasons that could cause Windows Hello greyed out issue are:

Irrespective of the causes, let’s proceed to solve the Windows Hello greyed out problem with these solutions.

How do I fix Windows Hello when it’s greyed out?

Before anything, ensure you carry out these preliminary checks:

If the problem persists after these checks, proceed to apply the fixes below.

1. Update the Biometrics driver

Since Windows Hello greyed-out problems can occur if the Biometric drivers are corrupt or outdated, updating them will help fix it. If this does not work for you, check out other ways tofix outdated drivers error in Windows 11.

If your Windows doesn’t find the required driver, we recommend you use Outbyte Driver Updater, a tool that automatically scans your computer for outdated drivers and updates them with their latest version.

Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Uninstall and reinstall the Biometric driver

Similar to the first solution, this will also attempt to fix the problem caused by corrupt or outdated drivers.

3. Set up the TPM

By default, the TPM should be set up. However, Windows updates or personal mistakes can disable the TPM. Hence the reason Windows Hello greyed out. Also, you can checkhow to enable TPM 2.0 in different versions of BIOSif the steps do not work for you.

4. Reinstall Windows Hello

Most of our readers using Windows 11 claim they had to install the optional pack because Windows Hello isn’t preinstalled. Further, we have a guide oninstalling Windows Hello face driver on Windows 11; you can check it out.

5. Run the System file checker

The SFC scan will identify the error’s potential causes and troubleshoot it automatically. If theSFC scan fails to work, check out the various solutions in this guide.

6. Perform a hardware and devices troubleshooter

Troubleshooting the hardware and devices will identify all potential errors on the computer and provide steps to fix them. If theHardware and Devices troubleshooter is missingon your device, try these fixes to restore it.

7. Update Windows

Windows will automatically look for the latest updates and download and install them to your PC. Then you are required to restart for the changes to effect.

These are the best fixes to apply when you encounter Windows Hello greyed out problem.

However, iffacial recognition isn’t working on your Windows 11, kindly check the fixes in this article.

Also, our guide on what to do if youcan’t remove your PIN in Windows 11could come in handy if you are ever faced with such a problem.

If you have further queries, drop them in the comments section. Also, we would appreciate your suggestions if you have one fix that has worked for you other than the outlined ones.

7 Ways to Fix Windows Hello if It’s Greyed Out#

Why did Windows Hello grey out?#

How do I fix Windows Hello when it’s greyed out?#

1. Update the Biometrics driver#

Outbyte Driver Updater#

2. Uninstall and reinstall the Biometric driver#

3. Set up the TPM#

4. Reinstall Windows Hello#

5. Run the System file checker#

6. Perform a hardware and devices troubleshooter#

7. Update Windows#