Do passkeys work reliably for you on Windows?

Reliability seems to vary a lot. Some people report very few problems with Windows passkeys, while others struggle to get them working at all. It would help to narrow down whether the failure happens when choosing a passkey, unlocking it, or after the website receives it.

Check where the passkey is actually stored. A device-bound passkey may not be available on another computer. Depending on the service, you might be able to register another passkey on that device, use a password manager that syncs passkeys, or register a hardware security key you can move between machines.

For passkeys stored through Windows, check that Windows Hello is set up and that its PIN or biometric unlock works. If you use a phone for sign-in, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection problems are another thing worth checking.

Hardware keys are another option if you want something portable without relying on a phone. They can work well in managed workplace setups too, although that depends on how sign-in and access policies are configured.

Sometimes the annoying part is the extra prompt rather than a failed sign-in. Windows may ask you to choose between a security key, Windows Hello, or a phone before you can enter a PIN. That extra step can make the process feel clunky even when authentication works.