Fix Windows Hello Error 0x801c0451 on Windows 10

Windows Hello error 0x801c0451 stops PIN, fingerprint, or face sign-in from working on Windows 10, usually after a system update, driver change, or corrupted user profile. You can fix it by resetting Windows Hello, reinstalling the biometric driver, or recreating your user profile—start with the quick methods below before trying more invasive steps.

What Causes Error 0x801c0451?

This error appears when Windows Hello cannot securely store or retrieve your biometric or PIN credentials. The most common triggers are:

• A Windows Update that changed security policies or the credential store
• Corrupted or outdated biometric drivers (fingerprint, IR camera)
• User profile corruption after a failed sign-in or disk cleanup
• Group Policy settings that disable Windows Hello for the account
• Third-party security software interfering with the Windows Hello service

The error code 0x801c0451 is specifically tied to the Windows Hello credential provider failing to validate your sign-in options. It is not a hardware failure in most cases—the camera or fingerprint reader usually works fine in Device Manager, but the software layer that connects it to your account is broken.

Quick Fix: Reset Windows Hello

The fastest fix is to remove and re-add your Windows Hello sign-in methods. This clears the corrupted credential data without affecting your files.

1. Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
2. Under Windows Hello PIN, click Remove (if available).
3. Under Fingerprint or Face, click Remove for each method.
4. Restart your PC.
5. Go back to Sign-in options and click Add under Windows Hello PIN. You will be asked to verify your Microsoft account password or local account password.
6. Set up a new PIN, then re-enroll your fingerprint or face if you use them.

If the Remove button is grayed out, you can use the command line as an administrator:

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinBio\Database /f and press Enter. This deletes the biometric database (you will need to re-enroll your fingerprints).
3. Restart and set up Windows Hello again.

Reinstall the Biometric Driver

If resetting Windows Hello does not work, the driver for your fingerprint reader or IR camera may be corrupted or outdated.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Biometric devices (for fingerprint) or Cameras (for IR face recognition).
3. Right-click your device (e.g., “Synaptics WBDI” or “Intel RealSense”) and choose Uninstall device. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device if it appears.
4. Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
5. If it does not, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Optional driver updates often appear here.

Do not download drivers from third-party sites; use Windows Update or the manufacturer’s official support page. If the driver is already up to date, try rolling it back: in Device Manager, right-click the device, go to Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver if that option is enabled.

Check Group Policy and Registry Settings

Windows Hello can be disabled by Group Policy, especially on corporate or school PCs. If you are on a personal machine, this is less likely but still worth checking.

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. (Not available on Windows 10 Home—skip if it does not open.)
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Hello for Business.
3. Double-click Use Windows Hello for Business. Set it to Enabled or Not Configured, then click OK.

If Group Policy is not the issue, check the registry:

1. Open Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit).
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinBio\Credential Provider.
3. Look for a value named DomainAccounts or UseBiometrics. If it exists, set it to 1.
4. Restart.

Be careful with the registry—back it up before making changes. If you are not comfortable editing it, skip this step and try the next fix.

Create a New User Profile

If the error persists, your user profile may be corrupted. Windows Hello credentials are tied to the profile, so a new profile can resolve it.

1. Create a new local administrator account: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC.
2. Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information > Add a user without a Microsoft account.
3. Set a username and password. Log into the new account and set up Windows Hello there.
4. If it works, migrate your files from the old profile (C:\Users\YourOldName) to the new one, then delete the old account from Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.

This is the most reliable fix, but it takes time. If you have a Microsoft account, you can also try unlinking and re-linking it in Settings > Accounts > Your info > Sign in with a local account instead, then switch back to Microsoft account. This often resets the credential store.

Use the Windows Hello Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix sign-in issues.

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Click Additional troubleshooters.
3. Select Windows Hello (if listed) and run it. If it is not listed, select Account or Sign-in.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

This tool rarely fixes the issue on its own, but it is worth trying before more drastic steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if I reset Windows Hello?

No. Resetting Windows Hello only removes your PIN, fingerprint, and face data. Your files, apps, and settings remain untouched. You will need to set up your sign-in methods again, but nothing else changes.

Why does the error appear after a Windows Update?

Windows Updates can change security policies or replace the credential provider DLL. Sometimes the update corrupts the Windows Hello database or conflicts with the biometric driver. Reinstalling the driver and resetting Windows Hello usually resolves it.

Can I use a password instead of Windows Hello?

Yes. You can always sign in with your Microsoft account password or local account password. Windows Hello is optional. If you prefer not to deal with the error, just use your password and disable Windows Hello prompts in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

Does this error affect all users on the PC?

Usually not. The error is often specific to one user profile. If another user can sign in with Windows Hello, the problem is likely profile corruption. If no user can use Windows Hello, the issue is system-wide—likely a driver or policy problem.

Is there a way to fix it without losing my fingerprint data?

You can try reinstalling the driver first—this often preserves your enrolled fingerprints. If that fails, you will need to delete the biometric database, which means re-enrolling your prints. There is no way to repair a corrupted biometric database without resetting it.

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