windows hello won't set up

Hi David Campbell,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I completely understand how inconvenient it is when the Windows Hello setup screen doesn’t display the OK button and we will walk through every possible step to get this resolved.

Here are a few more recommended actions to try in this case:

Step 1: Run DISM and SFC repairs

These tools help repair potential system file corruption that may affect Windows Hello.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

After running both commands, please restart your device and retry Windows Hello setup.

Step 2: Test in a Clean Boot environment

A Clean Boot helps determine whether a background program or third‑party service is interfering with Windows Hello. If the setup works in Clean Boot mode, a startup item is likely contributing to the issue.

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, press Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services then click Disable all.
3. Open Task Manager > Startup tab and disable all items.
4. Restart your device and try setting up Windows Hello again.

*Disclaimer: A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.  These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get back on track. 

Step 3: Create a new local user profile

If you’re still unable to complete setup, please create a fresh user profile and test Windows Hello there. This helps confirm whether the issue is related to your current account configuration.

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users.
• Click Add account then choose I don't have this person's sign-in information > Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Enter a username and password > click Next.
• Sign in with the new account and check if the issue persists.

For further details, you may also review Microsoft’s official troubleshooting guide here: Troubleshoot problems with Windows Hello on Surface

Each of these steps targets a potential cause and together they provide a full approach to diagnosing and resolving the issue.

If you’d like help walking through any of these steps, I’m here to support you.

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If you're experiencing issues with setting up Windows Hello where the setup screen does not have an OK button, it may be related to a configuration or compatibility issue with your device. Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Check for Updates: Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for any available updates.
2. Restart Your Device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve setup issues.
3. Check Device Compatibility: Make sure that your device supports Windows Hello features. Not all devices have the necessary hardware.
4. Reinstall Windows Hello: You can try removing any existing Windows Hello configurations and setting it up again. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and remove any existing PIN or biometric settings.
5. Contact Support: If the issue persists and the setup screen still does not show an OK button, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance.

These steps should help you troubleshoot the setup issue with Windows Hello.