An unexpected error has occurred when unlocking application with Windows Hello

PKort · May 12, 2025, 3:11pm

Last week I have re-installed Windows on my PC. I am using Firefox as my main browser (currently version 138.0.1 64-bit). I am unable to unlock the vault from the browser extension using Windows Hello face unlock.
When I try to unlock the vault, Hello window opens, my face is recognized correctly. But when I press “OK” button, there is message saying “error has occured” and vault is not unlocked.
I have tried Chrome extension and it is working flawlessly - Hello unlock window opens, my face is recognized, I press “OK” button and get acces to the vault in the browser. So I guess the issue is with Firefox plugin rather than my BitWarden installation.

wcb · May 14, 2025, 10:54pm

I have just updated the Bitwarden desktop application to 2025.4.2 after downloading the installer from the Bitwarden web site. I did this to remedy the bug where the application would not start minimized.

Now, when I try to unlock the desktop application with Windows Hello, the Windows Hello dialog pops up, I successfully scan my fingerprint, then Bitwarden pops up an error stating: An unexpected error has occurred. Is this a known bug?

Version 2025.4.2
SDK ‘main (f28b4ef)’
Shell 34.0.0
Renderer 132.0.6834.83
Node 20.18.1
Architecture x64

I am running Windows 11.

doberstw · May 16, 2025, 9:34am

I’m facing the same issue. Have the same version, exept architechture is ARM64.

Nail1684 · May 16, 2025, 10:48am

… I think, this is the bug report for that:

github.com/bitwarden/clients

Biometrics does not work with Windows Hello (Desktop app and Chrome extension)

opened 04:26PM - 02 May 25 UTC

ubiquitous-lei

bug desktop

### Steps To Reproduce Part 1: Desktop 1. Open Bitwarden desktop app 2. Click …on 'Unlock with Windows Hello' 3. Scan fingerprint Result: the fingerprint is accepted, but Bitwarden vault is not unlocked (there is no error message) Part 2: Chrome extension 1. Click on Bitwarden extension icon 2. On your Windows taskbar, select the Windows Hello pop-up to bring to the forefront. 3. Scan fingerprint Result: the fingerprint is accepted, but Bitwarden vault is not unlocked via the chrome extension (there is no error message) ### Expected Result The vault should be unlocked; it was working up to Sat Apr 26 (last day I tried it) ### Actual Result I can't log in using biometrics on the desktop or chrome extension. ### Screenshots or Videos _No response_ ### Additional Context _No response_ ### Operating System Windows ### Operating System Version Windows 11 ### Installation method Direct Download (from bitwarden.com) ### Build Version 2025.4.2 (chrome extension: 2025.3.2) ### Issue Tracking Info - [x] I understand that work is tracked outside of GitHub. A PR will be linked to this issue should one be opened to address it, but Bitwarden doesn't use fields like "assigned", "milestone", or "project" to track progress.

clark2001 · May 16, 2025, 12:57pm

Meet this problem too. If using brower extensions, it is ok to get access through windows hello with desktop application; if trying to unlock desktop application itself, this problem occurs. Use main password is ok to unlock desktop application.

Nail1684 · May 17, 2025, 11:54am

@PKort Welcome to the forum!

I merged your post with this thread to the same topic.

mtbftmf · May 22, 2025, 10:20am

I’ve been using BitWarden (daily/multiple times primarily from mobile phone for a few years) and experienced the same issue both on the Android mobile app and when logging in from a macOS web browser.

Initially there was a re-auth password challenge on my mobile. I was unable to login using the correct master password on my mobile with the same redirected to browser window error.

Also occurred on my Mac web client (Google Chrome). After 5+ attempts, the login on my Mac progressed far enough to reset MFA and access my vault. Then I was able to approve the Android app login.

Really strange!

I export my vault and store it on a separate encrypted macOS mount point periodically, just in case I end up locked out permanently.