Fingerprint settings on Xiaomi laptop: full instruction with error-correcting tips

Xiaomi laptops are not only stylish designs and powerful hardware, but also advanced security features, among which the fingerprint scanner occupies a special place. This technology allows you to unlock the device in a split second, confirm payments and log into applications without entering passwords. However, many users face difficulties in the first setup: the system does not see the sensor, the fingerprint does not save or the scanner is interrupted. In this article, we will discuss all the steps of adding a fingerprint, from checking the compatibility of the model to solving typical problems.

It's important to understand that not all Xiaomi laptops have a fingerprint sensor. 14/15 The feature is often devoid of the same feature as the flagship Mi Notebook Pro X or Mi Notebook Air. 13 They support it out of the box. You should also consider the Windows version. 10/11 The setting is different from Linux (where you may need to manually install drivers).If you just purchased a laptop or upgraded the system, we recommend first checking the presence of the sensor in the device specifications on the official Mi.com website.

In this instruction, we will consider:

• 🔍 How to check if there is a fingerprint scanner on your model
• ⚙️ Step-by-step settings in Windows 10 and 11 (with pictures)
• 🐧 Features of working on Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.)
• ❌ Common Errors and How to Correct Them
• 🔄 What to do if the fingerprint is no longer recognized

1. Compatibility Check: Is there a fingerprint scanner on your Xiaomi laptop

Before you start setting up, make sure your laptop is physically equipped with a sensor. Xiaomi has two main categories of fingerprint-enabled devices:

• 💻 Mi Notebook Pro/Pro X/Pro 14/15 — sensor is built into the power button (located in the upper right corner of the keyboard).
• 💼 Mi Notebook Air 12.5/13.3 — The scanner is located on the side panel next to the connector USB-C.
• ❌ RedmiBook 14/15/16 — Most scanner versions do not exist (except for rare versions for the Chinese market).

To determine the presence of the sensor:

1. Turn over your laptop and find a sticker with the model (for example, MNB1901 Mi Notebook Pro 15.6).
2. Go to Mi.com, type in the model in search and check the "Fingerprint sensor" section.
3. In Windows, open Device Manager (Win keys) + X), expand the tab Biometric devices. If there's a line Synaptics. WBDI Goodix Fingerprint – The sensor is present.

If the device manager does not display the scanner, but it should be according to the specifications, try updating the drivers (for more information in the error section). Also note that on some models (for example, the Mi Notebook Pro X 15), the sensor may be disabled in the device. BIOS — We'll talk about that later.

2. Fingerprint settings in Windows 10 and 11

If there's a sensor, we'll move on to adding a fingerprint. The process in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is almost identical, but there's a nuance in the menu layout. Let's look at both.

For Windows 11:

1. Open the settings (Win) + I) and go to the Accounts → Entry parameters.
2. Find the Manage the fingerprint recognition device and click Settings.
3. Enter. PIN-Microsoft account code (if not configured, create it first).
4. Click Add a fingerprint and follow the instructions on the screen, putting your finger on the sensor from different angles.

For Windows 10:

1. Go to the settings. → Accounts → Entry parameters.
2. In the Windows Hello section, select Fingerprint and click Settings.
3. The system will propose to create PIN (After that, the Add another button to register the fingerprint will appear.

Important points:

• 🔑 PIN-Code is mandatory! Without it, you can't add a fingerprint (this is a Windows Hello security requirement).
• 👆 When scanning, raise and lower your finger rather than driving it over the sensor (this is a common mistake).
• 🔄 If the print is not preserved, try the other finger – some sensors do not read wet or damaged skin.

After successful addition, the fingerprint can be used to:

• 🔓 Unlocking the screen (instead of password).
• 💳 Confirmation of payments in the Microsoft Store.
• 🔐 Authorizations in certain applications (e.g, 1Password, Bitwarden).

💡

If your laptop doesn’t recognize your fingerprint after sleep, try turning off Modern Standby mode. BIOS. To do this, press when downloading F2, Find Power Management and select Legacy S3 Modern Standby instead.

3. Features of Linux configuration (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora)

Linux users often find that the fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi laptops doesn’t work out of the box, because there are no proprietary drivers in open distributions, but the solution is the fprintd project that supports most Synaptics and Goodix sensors.

Instructions for Ubuntu/Debian:

# Install the necessary packages


sudo apt update




sudo apt install fprintd libpam-fprintd




Check if the sensor is detected.



lsusb | grep -i fingerprint



Or:



fprintd-list




Set up PAM for authorization by fingerprint



sudo pam-auth-update



In the window that appears, mark "Fingerprint authentication"

For Fedora/RHEL:

sudo dnf install fprintd pam_fprintd


systemctl enable --now fprintd

After installation:

1. Open the Settings. → Users.
2. Press your fingerprints and follow the instructions.
3. Some distributions (such as Linux Mint) may require manual configuration via authselect.

Xiaomi laptops with a Goodix sensor (such as the Mi Notebook Pro X) may require a Linux kernel version 5.15+ If you don't read the print after you set it up, check the logs:

journalctl -u fprintd -f

4. Typical errors and their solutions

Even if there's a sensor, users often have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting Windows Hello settings:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.
2. In the Fingerprint section, click Delete.
3. Restart the laptop and add the print again.

5. Additional settings: use of fingerprint in applications

By default, a fingerprint in Windows is used only to unlock the screen and confirm payments in the Microsoft Store, but with the help of third-party tools you can expand its functionality.

Applications that support fingerprint authorization:

• 🔐 Bitwarden / 1Password — unlocking.
• 💼 LastPass – Sign-in Confirmation.
• 📱 Telegram Desktop – unlocking secret chats.
• 💳 Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff) – confirmation of transactions.

To set up:

1. Open the app and find the Security or Login Settings section.
2. Select Biometric Authentication or Windows Hello.
3. Allow access to the fingerprint sensor in Windows settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Applicants' authorizations).

If the app doesn't see the scanner, check:

• 🔄 Is the application updated to the latest version.
• 🛡️ Does antivirus software (such as Kaspersky or Avast) block access to biometric data.
• 🖥️ Does the Windows Hello app support (a list of compatible programs can be found on the Microsoft website).

💡

Windows fingerprints only work with Microsoft accounts. If you're using a local account, link it to Microsoft first or create one. PIN-code.

6.Security: How to protect data when using a fingerprint

While biometric authentication is convenient, it is not without risks, and here are some tips to make it safer:

• 🔐 Always use the hard one. PIN-code (at least 6 characters, with numbers and letters) The fingerprint is only an addition to it, not a replacement.
• 🚫 Don’t register other people’s fingerprints – this may allow them to access your data.
• 🔄 Renew your registered prints periodically (every 6 months) as the reading may deteriorate over time.
• 🛡️ Turn off biometrics when selling a laptop – even after a Windows reset, fingerprints can remain in sensor memory.

If you suspect someone has accessed your fingerprint (for example, a laptop has been stolen), immediately:

1. Remove all registered fingerprints in the settings → Accounts.
2. Change. PIN-Microsoft account code and password.
3. Check the activity in the Microsoft Security Journal.

💡

In some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi Notebook Pro X), the fingerprint sensor can be used to enter the device. BIOS. To do this, when downloading, hold your finger on the scanner instead of entering a password.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a print on Xiaomi