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Use Windows Hello to unlock 1Password on your Windows PC

Learn how to set up and use Windows Hello to unlock the 1Password app on your PC with your face, fingerprint, or companion device.

Set up Windows Hello

Tip

To set up Windows Hello in 1Password, make sure you’ve set up 1Password for Windows and Windows Hello on your PC.

  1. Open and unlock the 1Password app.
  2. Click your account or collection at the top of the sidebar and choose Settings.
  3. Click Security, then turn on Unlock using Windows Hello.
  4. Click your account or collection at the top of the sidebar and choose Lock.
  5. Enter your account password to unlock the app.

Now you can use Windows Hello to unlock the 1Password app. But don’t forget your 1Password account password. Sometimes you’ll need to enter it instead of using Windows Hello.

Use Windows Hello

After you set up Windows Hello, open the 1Password app.

You’ll see a message that Windows Hello is “Making sure it’s you”. Place your finger lightly on the fingerprint sensor or look at the camera to unlock 1Password.



Manage your settings

To unlock with Windows Hello without entering your password after you quit 1Password or restart your PC, you can use the Trusted Platform Module with Windows Hello:

  1. Open and unlock 1Password.
  2. Click your account or collection at the top of the sidebar and choose Settings.
  3. Click Security and turn on Use the Trusted Platform Module with Windows Hello, then click Turn On.

Learn more about the security properties of using the Trusted Platform Module with Windows Hello to unlock 1Password.

The prompt to use the Trusted Platform Module with Windows Hello

Get help

Windows Hello requires Windows 10 or later and a device with compatible hardware. To find out if your device is compatible, go to Start menu > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

Sometimes you’ll need to enter your account password instead of using Windows Hello:

  • If the amount of time in Settings > Security > Require password has elapsed.
  • If your face or fingerprint isn’t recognized, or there was an error on your companion device.
  • If you’re trying to change your account password.
  • If you’ve restarted 1Password, including after updating 1Password or restarting your PC, when the Trusted Platform Module isn’t turned on.

If you still need help, follow these steps. Try again after each step:

  1. Make sure you have the latest version of 1Password.
  2. Make sure that you are able to use Windows Hello to unlock your PC.
  3. Turn off Windows Hello in 1Password > Settings > Security, then turn it back on again.
  4. Try resetting Windows Hello on your device. Go to Start menu > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

If your fingerprint sensor or camera is frequently unavailable, like when you dock your laptop, you can turn off Settings > Security > Show Windows Hello prompt automatically. Then you can use your account password to unlock 1Password without dismissing Windows Hello first. If you still want to use Windows Hello when that setting is off, click the Windows Hello button or press Enter on the lock screen.

To use the Trusted Platform Module with Windows Hello, you may need to turn on TPM 2.0. If you still can’t use the Trusted Platform Module with Windows Hello after turning on TPM 2.0, send a diagnostics report to 1Password Support along with a description of the problem.

Learn more

Still need help?

If this article didn't answer your question, contact 1Password Support.

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