Most XPS 13 fingerprint failures trace to outdated BIOS or drivers, a corrupted Windows Hello enrollment, or a sensor that was never fitted.
A sensor that worked yesterday and fails today is rarely dead hardware. Dell’s guidance covers software updates, BIOS checks, and a fresh enrollment before a service call, and that order saves most people a repair ticket. The problem usually lands in one of four places: a configuration with no reader, stale Dell or Windows software, a damaged Hello enrollment, or a BIOS setting switch.
Does Your XPS 13 Actually Have A Fingerprint Reader?
Not every XPS 13 has one, and Windows hides the option entirely when none is fitted—no driver or BIOS tweak adds a sensor that was never installed. Check the invoice, build sheet, or Dell documentation tied to your Service Tag. Dell notes the Windows Hello Fingerprint entry is missing from Sign-in options when no reader is present, so a blank space is a hardware answer, not a bug. Reader availability changes with generation and configuration, so the model name proves nothing.
A reader listed under Biometric devices in Device Manager is fitted and alive, moving the problem into software. If the machine shipped without one, a plug-in reader restores Hello sign-in, and our list of tested XPS 13 fingerprint reader options covers pairing without extra software.
XPS 13 Fingerprint Sign-In Failures: Which Fix Comes First
Move from cheapest fix to most invasive: dry finger, current Dell software, current Windows, then a fresh enrollment. Dell documents the same steps for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Enrollment fails more often than sign-in, usually because one print gets scanned at one angle. Shift the finger slightly between scans, and enroll a second finger as a fallback.
- Dry the finger and wipe the sensor. Moisture and smudges spoil more attempts than faulty drivers do.
- Open SupportAssist, choose Update Software on the Home tab, select Start, and install every BIOS and driver update offered. Restart when prompted.
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, install what appears, and restart.
- Re-enroll under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello Fingerprint > Set up.
If setup stalls, Dell’s Windows Hello enrollment guide covers removing old prints and reinstalling the driver. A finished enrollment shows a confirmation, and Windows key + L should put the fingerprint icon above the password field. Re-enrolling clears stubborn cases because Hello stores print data that can go bad after a feature update.
The XPS 13 9370 BIOS Setting That Blocks The Sensor
The XPS 13 9370 can show the reader in Windows and still refuse Hello sign-in when Intel SGX Enable sits at Disabled or Software Controlled. Dell’s fix is to return it to Enabled, its default; the same note covers the XPS 15 9570 and Precision 5530. Restart, tap F2 at the Dell logo, open Intel Software Guard Extensions, set Intel SGX Enable to Enabled, then save and exit. Other XPS 13 generations don’t automatically share this quirk.
When sign-in still fails, press Windows key + R, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic, select Next, apply the repairs offered, and restart. Then run Dell’s fingerprint hardware test: a pass means the sensor works and the fault is software; a fail justifies service.
| What You See | Likely Cause | Next Move |
|---|---|---|
| No fingerprint entry in Settings | No reader in that build | Check the Service Tag sheet |
| Reader listed, setup won’t finish | Old driver or BIOS | Run SupportAssist updates |
| Worked for months, now ignored | Enrolled print damaged | Remove and re-enroll |
| 9370 fails only at sign-in | Intel SGX disabled | Enable it in BIOS |
| Hardware test returns a fail | Sensor fault | Book Dell service |
Run the sequence once, in order.
Common Questions
Why Does Windows Say The Fingerprint Reader Isn’t Available?
That message usually means the driver never loaded or the reader isn’t fitted. Open Device Manager, expand Biometric devices, and look for a warning icon. Nothing listed points to missing hardware; an error icon points to software—right-click the device, choose Uninstall, restart, and let Windows reinstall Dell’s package.
Can I Still Sign In With A PIN If The Sensor Fails?
Yes. A PIN and password stay available under Sign-in options whether or not the reader cooperates, so a failing sensor never locks you out. Removing the enrollment and adding it back doesn’t touch your PIN, and Windows asks for the PIN whenever a fingerprint attempt is rejected.
Does A BIOS Update Erase Saved Fingerprints?
It can leave existing Hello data unusable, so plan on re-enrolling after a major update—Dell’s order puts re-enrollment right after software updates. If the Set up button disappears after the flash, remove the stored print, restart, and enroll from scratch.
Sources
- Dell. “How to Download and Install the Fingerprint Reader Driver and Enroll or Remove Your Fingerprint Using Windows Hello.” Covers driver installation, enrollment steps, and the missing-option symptom.
- Dell. “How to Troubleshoot and Resolve Fingerprint Reader and Security Software Issues.” Source for the diagnostics command, hardware test, and biometric reset.
- Dell. “Fingerprint Reader Does Not Work on XPS 9370, XPS 9570, or Precision 5530.” Documents the Intel SGX Enable setting and the affected models.