Extension Getting “Biometric Unlock is unavailable because Bitwarden Desktop App is closed.” However the windows app is running and Allow Browser Integration Is Checked. Permission for extension were allowed when installed and checking Allow Browser Integration.
Windows App & extension Version: 2025.5.1 on Windows 11 Pro
I’ve tried deleting registry entry for com.8bit.bitwarden, uninstalling the extension, uninstalling the windows app, reinstalling and enabling biometrics in the app and ext. It’s like the extension doesn’t recognize the windows app is running.
So, desktop app and browser extensions on the latest versions 2025.5.1 ?
Edge, Brave and your Windows 11 are also up-to-date?
Did it work before - or is the first time you set this up?
Did you already try this: log out in the desktop app and browser extension, deinstall both, delete the local storage of both, and then reinstall?
Another option may be - if nothing works - to “reset” Windows Hello. (last resort – PS: and please see @Neuron5569’s warning to that before even considering that)
@ Nail1684 Thank you! Yes, Bitwarden extension & Windows app are all up to date. Windows 11, MS Edge and Brave too.
It was working at one time, but then stopped several months ago I think. I just hadn’t gotten around to troubleshooting it. I forgot I had enabled biometrics at before, and thought I hadn’t set it up. But when I went to enable it I saw the error.
I will try deleting the local storage, but I don’t know what you mean by resetting Windows Hello. Do you mean disabling Windows Hello and re-enabling it?
Yup. (PS: But as written before, I would do that only, if nothing else helps. And please see @Neuron5569’s warning to that before even considering that)
Yeah, and then deinstall and reinstall. (in the previous post, I forgot to write to “deinstall them” also, but added it now)
If you @randy deinstalled the “side-loaded” desktop app and installed it again from the MS Store a few months ago, that would be an explanation why it doesn’t work now.
Thanks for your through support! I checked and yes, I had previously deleted local storage for the app in “%AppData%\Bitwarden”. I use a uninstall program (Revo uninstaller) and it’s very through in removing all traces of an application, including local app data. I had also searched for any traces.
I didn’t specifically delete the Edge extension folder, but it looks like the folder gets deleted when the extension is deleted. I removed the extension from Edge again and when I checked the location the folder “jbkfoedolllekgbhcbcoahefnbanhhlh” was gone.
Here’s a list of what typically needs to be done to get it working.
Enable Windows hello. Make sure you can login Windows with it.
“Sideload” the BW app. Enable Windows hello unlock. Make sure you can unlock with it.
Enable BW app’s “Allow browser’s integration,” first without “Requiring verification…”
Install BW extension, giving it the permission to interact with 3rd party app.
Enable BW extension biometrics unlock. If this is unavailable the first time, restarting the browser sometimes help.
Biometrics unlock is working for me, but I am running the desktop 2025.3.1. Unless @Nail1684 is running 2025.5.1 and it’s working for him, I’d suggest trying 2025.3.1 next. Otherwise, I’d suggest contacting customer support; they might know something we don’t.
I just tested it (don’t use biometrics regularly) - and can both unlock the desktop app (2025.5.1) and browser extension (2025.5.1) with Windows Hello (Windows 11 24H2).
Yeah, either we overlooked something - or there are some peculiarities of (or “configurational residues” on) your system (or other “bugs”, only getting triggered on some systems), hindering it to work.
Neuron5569
Thanks, I basically did this yesterday, but the order was a little different: Uninstalled BW Ext and App. Removed Windows Hello PIN . Reboot, then re-enabled Windows Hello. Then I installed the Edge extension first, then side loaded the app. Ran the app and logged using with Windows Hello, then enabled browser integration. Installed the extension and tried Windows Hello in the app again. No luck
I’ll give customer support a try. Thanks for the help!
This is just out of curiosity. I haven’t tested this out yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if apps leave traces (and an uninstaller like Revo doesn’t remove them). Here are possible biometric traces that could be left in the Windows Credential Manager (Windows Credential tab):
If you don’t log out before uninstalling the program, there would also be Bitwarden access and refresh tokens. Ha, now I know where Bitwarden’s app keeps its tokens.
I honestly don’t know, although it seems to me that the issue you’re facing is related to the interaction between the extension and the desktop (or lack thereof), not how the desktop stores information in the Credential Manager.
While searching for another bug, I found these older “fixes” that might still be relevant (similar type of problem):
