S13 - Fingerprint Reader Unavailable

I'm having some issues with the fingerprint reader on my vaio s13 (svs13a190s) and it's no longer working.

From device manager, the device and drivers are working properly. However, when I go into Control Panel > Biometric settings, it says the device is "Unavailable".

I've tried re-installing the drivers from the sony site, and re-installing the TrueSuite software as well, however neither worked. I also went to the AuthenTec website and downloaded their latest drivers, and that didn't work either.

Is there anything else I can do? I tried chatting with Sony support, and all they can suggest is a windows restore .

thanks,

 

Could it be loose connector under the keyboard?

Could this maybe work: Uninstall driver in Device manager (reboot) and then install AuthenTec driver (this driver works for me)

 

I don't think so, if it was loose, then it wouldn't show up in device manager.

It seems like it's just not available for windows to use.

 

I am having the same issue. My laptop is an old Alienware M17 which I just upgraded to Windows 8 (clean Installation).

The Fingerprint reader AuthenTec AES 1610 was working fine for the first days, I was logging into Windows 8 after locking the screen, signing out or rebooting using my Fingerprint reader.

Now it suddenly stopped working yesterday for no apparent reason.

Device manager says the the "device is working properly" but in Control Panel > Biometric Devices it says the fingerprint reader is "unavailable".
All drivers & software are updated to the latest versions available from AuthenTec. I even tried downgrading the drivers to older versions, uninstalling rebooting and installing again various times with no success. Computer is not allowed to turn device off in order to save power.

I googled around for a while and it seems to be a common issue with all kinds of fingerprint readers and windows 8. I think it has something to do with some recent Windows updates. I ran some updates that day it stopped working.

Anyone else who has experienced this problem please contribute to this thread. Any solutions found please post them. This is not a random, unique issue.

 

I also experienced this on my Sager laptop 9150. Tried reinstalling but still says "Unavaiable"
From device manager, the device and drivers are working properly. However, when I go into Control Panel > Biometric settings, it says the device is "Unavailable".

How can this be fixed? Please?

 

I also experienced this on my Sager laptop 9150. Tried reinstalling but still says "Unavaiable"
From device manager, the device and drivers are working properly. However, when I go into Control Panel > Biometric settings, it says the device is "Unavailable".

How can this be fixed? Please?

 

Same exact problem here, I have tried everything but a complete restore. Quite annoyed.