Fix: Asus ROG Ally Fingerprint Reader Not Working

If you have an Asus ROG Ally device and encounter an issue with the fingerprint reader, don’t fret. According to several reports, Asus users cannot access the fingerprint reader on their new Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming after updating the software version of the device, which can be frustrating. We’re here to help you.

“I don’t think my fingerprint reader is working. I was able to add my fingerprint during the initial setup, but since then it has asked me to reset my pin every time I go to log in. I can’t even wake it from sleep without plugging it in. Is anyone else seeing this, am I doing something wrong, or did I get a defective unit?”, a user wrote on Reddit platform by explaining the issue they are facing with Asus ROG Ally.

Fingerprint reader not working?
byu/hosemaster inROGAlly

Although the Asus ROG Ally is a popular handheld gaming console, allowing players to access large games without getting stuck as it comes with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme – an 8-core processor with 16 threads. Well, if you’re having the same issue with your Asus ROG Ally, worry not. Luckily, there are some effective ways which you can easily try to resolve the problem you are facing on Asus ROG Ally. So, without any further ado, let’s get into it.

What Causes Asus ROG Ally Fingerprint Reader Not Working?

Generally, the fingerprint reader not working on Asus ROG Ally is caused by a variety of reasons. This includes the fingerprint sensor being dirty or damaged, fingerprint not registered correctly, outdated biometric driver version, outdated system software, and corrupted biometric driver.

It is also possible that there is an issue with your Asus software and hardware, which prevents you from accessing the fingerprint reader property. So, these are some of the primary reasons why the Asus ROG Ally fingerprint reader might be not working and functioning properly.

Fix Asus ROG Ally Fingerprint Reader Not Working Issue

We have listed some best effective ways below that should help you resolve the Asus ROG Ally fingerprint reader not working. Therefore, in case you are facing this fingerprint issue on your ROG Ally, make sure to perform these fixes in a proper way.

Fix 1: Restart Your Asus Device

If the fingerprint reader is not working on your Asus ROG Ally, clean it with a soft cloth and place your registered finger properly on the power button at the top of the Asus ROG Ally. If it’s not working for you, try restarting your Asus ROG Ally.

Occasionally, software bugs and issues might be the reason for the fingerprint issue, preventing you from accessing the fingerprint properly. In such a case, it is best to perform a restart before trying any other methods, as it did a great job.

You can easily restart your Asus ROG Ally by pressing and holding the power and volume down button simultaneously for about 10 seconds. After that, the Asus screen will automatically turn off and back on after a while. Again, check if the fingerprint reader works on your Asus ROG Ally.

Fix 2: Try Set Up Another Fingerprint

The next thing you have to do is try to set up another fingerprint on your Asus ROG Ally. It is possible that the current fingerprint is corrupted due to software bugs or technical issues or errors. The problem was fixed most of the time by removing the older setup and registering the other finger. In that scenario, you also have to set up another fingerprint, ensuring it works for you.

To set up another fingerprint on your Asus ROG Ally, follow the steps below:

1. Click the Window icon at the bottom to launch the Start Menu and select Settings.
2. On the left side panel, choose the “Accounts” option.
3. Click on the “Sign-in-options.”
4. Next, click the “Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello)” and select the “Add a finger” option.
5. Now you have to enter your PIN and place your finger on the fingerprint reader to access it.

Once you have successfully registered your finger with the scanner on your Asus ROG Ally, try checking if the fingerprint reader is working for you. If the issue persists, move down to other solutions.

Fix 3: Check for Biometric Driver Update

An outdated or corrupted biometric driver also causes several issues on your Asus ROG Ally, which prevents the fingerprint reader from functioning properly. In that case, you have to make sure to check for biometric driver updates and download it if available. By updating the Biometric driver, you may easily be able to resolve the problem.

To check for biometric driver updates on your Asus ROG Ally, follow the steps below:

1. Press the Windows icon to launch the Start Menu.
2. Type “Device Manager” in the search bar at the top and click on it to open.
3. Expand the “Biometric devices” option by clicking on the arrow next to it.
4. Right-click on the Biometric driver device that appears on the screen and select the “Update driver” option.
5. Click on the “Search automatically for drivers.”
6. If a driver update is available on the screen, make sure to download and install it by following the screen instructions.

In case, if an update is unavailable and the issue persists on your Asus ROG Ally, then click Close and move down to the next solution.

Fix 4: Reinstall Biometric Driver

If you have updated your biometric driver to the latest version on your Asus ROG Ally, you are still unable to access the fingerprint reader, then try to uninstall and reinstall the biometric driver. In case, if there is no Biometric driver update available, you can also perform this method to check if it works for you. Here’s what to do.

1. Press the Windows icon to launch the Start Menu.
2. Type “Device Manager” in the search bar at the top and click on it to open.
3. Expand the “Biometric devices” option by clicking on the arrow next to it.
4. Right-click on the Biometric driver device that appears on the screen and select the “Uninstall device” option.

Once the biometric driver is successfully uninstalled from your Asus ROG Ally, download and install it from the official Asus website. Once you have downloaded the driver, install it by restarting your Asus ROG Ally. Afterwards, check if the fingerprint reader is working or not. If the issue persists, follow the next solution.

Fix 5: Check for Software Update

A software update must matter to run the device in a proper way without getting stuck or any software issues. However, an outdated software version can cause several issues and bugs, which includes the fingerprint reader not working. In such a case, you have to update your software version if available. However, the Asus ROG Ally is based on the Windows operating system, so it is essential to check for Windows updates. Here’s how:

1. Click the Window icon at the bottom to launch the Start Menu and select Settings.
2. On the left side panel, choose the “Windows Update” option.
3. Click on the “Check for updates” option.
4. Here, your Asus device will automatically search for available windows and other security patch updates (If available).
5. Click the “Download and Install” button, if an update is available.
6. Once the update is downloaded, restart your Asus ROG Ally device to apply the Windows update.

Fix 6: Reset Your Asus ROG Device

If you have performed the above-mentioned fixes and still the fingerprint reader is not working on your Asus ROG Ally, it’s time to perform a factory reset of your Asus ROG Ally device. By doing a reset method, you will surely be able to resolve the problem with the fingerprint reader.

A factory reset is also known as hard reset on some devices, as it is a software restore of a device to its default state by erasing all personal data including photos, videos, documents and installed applications that were previously stored on the device. Therefore, make sure to back up the important data first before proceeding to reset the process as it must be essential to do so.

We have mentioned two simple steps to factory reset your Asus ROG Ally. One is a soft reset via Windows OS, while the other is a hard reset. Both are simple methods; you can perform to reset your Asus ROG Ally device. So, let’s have a look at both methods.

Perform a Soft Reset Via Windows OS:

1. Click the Window icon at the bottom to launch the Start Menu and select Settings.
2. On the left side panel, choose the “System” option
3. Scroll down and tap the “Recovery” in the left panel.
4. Under the “Reset this PC” section, tap the “Reset PC”
5. Click on the “Remove everything” option from the above settings.
6. Finally, tap “Next” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset process.

Perform a Hard Reset on your Asus ROG Ally:

1. Firstly, turn off your Asus ROG Ally device.
2. Again, press and hold the volume down button and power button simultaneously.
3. Keep the button pressed until the device enters into the BIOS screen. This should take around 30 seconds.
4. Once you enter into the BIOS screen, press the Y button to exit EZ mode.
5. Navigate to the “Advanced” tab.
6. Select “ASUS Cloud Restore” and press the A button.

Now your Asus ROG Ally will automatically download the fresh Windows copy and it will take a few minutes. Make sure to connect your Asus ROG to a stable Wi-Fi network which will be asked during the reset process. After the reset process, set up your Asus ROG Ally again and register your fingerprint by following fix 2. Hopefully, the fingerprint reader works now.

Fix 7: Contact Asus Support Team

If none of the above workarounds helps you to resolve the fingerprint reader not working problem on your Asus ROG Ally, it is recommended you contact the Asus support team for help. It is possible that there is an issue with the motherboard or some hardware issues which prevents the fingerprint reader from working. In such a case, you should contact the customer support or visit a nearby service center and contact a specialist to resolve the problem.

They will probably suggest you with their best solutions and you may resolve the problem with the fingerprint reader soon. Make sure to provide them with your Asus device model number, system information, and steps you have already taken to troubleshoot the problem as soon as possible. In the end, I hope you will be able to use the fingerprint sensor on your Asus ROG Ally.

Wrapping it Up

It is really frustrating when the fingerprint reader on the Asus ROG Ally doesn’t work, especially when you don’t want to have to open the device with the PIN every time. As mentioned in this article, there are some effective ways to resolve the fingerprint reader issue.

Make sure to follow each step carefully while applying it to your device. You can also contact the support team if the above workarounds don’t work for you. We hope this guide helps you troubleshoot the problem. Also, let us know which of the above workarounds did a great job to resolve the problem on your Asus ROG Ally.