Dell Precision FIPS fingerprint readers stopped working today

Exact same issue with Windows 11.   Started about the same time as your problem did.  Windows believes everything is fine.  The driver is present and shown as working.     However, the reader does not respond at all.   I disabled and re-enabled the fingerprint reader and when trying to add a new "print" when asked to press the reader there is no response.

I do work for a large IT company and others are reporting the same problem -starting around the same time- so seems like a software update (windows or BIOS).   I did update my BIOS "around" the time it stopped working.    Another reported that the problem started with a BIOS update.    I tried reverting back to an older BIOS version but that didn't work.  However, there are so many inter-dependencies that I don't know if the reversion was successful or not.  (i.e old BIOS installed, windows drivers showing new version with warning, couldn't get them to sync)

Note: Dell support provided one of the other persons a list of troubleshooting steps.   Quite frankly they were all generic steps that resolve problems such as a missing or corrupt driver issues that would not solve an actual faulty software update.  Anyway, I tried them all without success.

Hi all!

Same for me on 4 dell precision laptops.

I downloaded the latest Dell-ControlVault3-Driver-and-Firmware from dell support site and after a reboot solved my problem on all laptops.

Hope it's helping for you too!

I just wondering why it's happened almost the same time on separate laptops... It's a windows bug or something went wrong on the dell side?

Hey guys, may i ask you which security software are you using on those laptops? Thanks!

Hi, We have exactly the same issue on two Latitude 5440 laptops starting at the same time. Most likely one of the firmware updates installed by autopatch caused the issue:

Hi everyone,

While our engineering team investigates the issue, we recommend trying the following workaround and share your feedback with us:

1. Download and Install: Obtain the latest Dell ControlVault3 Driver & Firmware from the official Dell support website. Make sure to choose the correct version for your operating system.
2. Reboot When Advised: Even if your Device Manager already shows the same latest version, reboot your system after installation. This step ensures that the changes take effect.

Important: Please note that the investigation is ongoing, and this is not the final solution. However, it may help mitigate the issue in the meantime. 

@DELL-Nat M​ May i ask you to send us a follow up message if you find out what caused this (almost in the same time)? Thank you!

Hi @DELL-Nat M​, I tried this and the fingerprint reader worked once after reboot and I was able to add another fingerprint also. However, after reboot it stopped working again.. 

@Peter Mezei​ Hi! Of course, as soon as I receive more information, I’ll be sure to share it on this topic.

@UsedToBeLenovoMan​ Hi, I'm sorry to hear that. I’ve shared your message with the team and have inquired about it. I’ll revert back to you as soon as I receive a response.