Fingerprint sensors on your smartphones are very useful—from unlocking your devices to authorizing payments. Imagine your mobile fingerprint sensor messing up at prime times. The fingerprint sensor not working can lead to inconveniences. Why is my fingerprint sensor not working after screen replacement? Many users have reported such faults. However, can you fix it?
Unless it’s a severe hardware failure, you can fix the mobile fingerprint sensor not working. And we have some useful tips to rectify the issue along with the causes.
Why is My Fingerprint Sensor Not Working on Android?
According to Mobile Repair Dubai experts, the following situations can lead to a fingerprint recognition failure. Check out whether you encounter any of the following reasons why your fingerprint sensor is not working on Samsung or on other models.
Dirty or Moist Fingers
Be it an on-screen fingerprint scanner or a physical one, you must keep your fingers clean to access it. Only a spotless fingertip can unlock your device. If you touch the fingerprint sensor with a dirty or wet fingertip, then it won’t work.
Buildup on the Fingerprint Sensor
Even if you access the fingerprint scanner with a clean and dry finger, it might not work if the scanner is itself dirty. Due to dirt or grease buildup, the on-screen or physical fingerprint scanner may fail to recognize the registered input.
Interference from the Screen Protector
Why is my fingerprint sensor not working after screen replacement or protector installation? Chances are that the on-screen fingerprint scanner suffers from performance issues because of the misaligned or low-quality substance. It can interfere with your fingerprint sensor’s ability to detect your fingertip.
Scarred or Injured Fingers
Your fingerprints can be worn due to some accidents or labor-intensive occupations. If your fingerprint appears any different from the registered ones on your smartphone, then the fingerprint sensor won’t recognize it. The only way to deal with this is to reregister your fingerprints.
Software Issues
Reportedly, outdated software often leads to the mobile fingerprint sensor not working on Android devices. However, rebooting your smartphone might get you rid of the software glitches sometimes.
Hardware Failure
Do you notice a ‘fingerprint hardware not available’ error every time you want to access the scanner? Typically, this indicates a major software problem or hardware damage. If the on-screen fingerprint sensor or the physical button is broken, then you must consider Mobile Repair Dubai services.
How to Fix Mobile Fingerprint Sensor Not Working?
Perhaps you are not sure why your phone’s fingerprint sensor gives up unexpectedly. Don’t panic. Check out the following tips to fix a mobile fingerprint sensor not working Samsung and other Android devices.
1. Clean Your Finger and the Sensor
Typically, users ignore such easy fixes. However, you need not repeat those mistakes. Begin by cleaning and drying your hands. Additionally, use a clean, lint-free cloth to clean the fingerprint sensor. No dust or grease should interfere with the fingerprint sensor’s capabilities.
If your device demands more attention, you can use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to clean the fingerprint scanner. Use a cotton swab to clean the sensor. Be careful that you don’t soak the sample.
2. Restart Your Smartphone
Often, software glitches might prevent the fingerprint sensor from working properly. Hence, you can try a quick reboot to eliminate software glitches or bugs. Power off your device and turn it on after a few minutes. Otherwise, you can choose Restart from the power options and see if it fixes the fingerprint sensor problem.
3. Look for Software Update
Was your phone flashing ‘update available’ or ‘update required’ warnings before the fingerprint sensor stopped working? Then, chances are that your fingerprint sensor is not working because you haven’t updated your device software.
Without the required software update or version, your phone might lose its compatibility with the fingerprint sensor hardware. Hence, never ignore an update notification, as it might increase the chances of software bugs.
Here’s the most straightforward way to update software on an Android phone:
- First, navigate to the Settings menu on your smartphone.
- After that, search for Software Update. This option might be under the Apps or System function.
The exact steps might vary from one Android model to another. If you come across a software update, make sure you download and install it. Meanwhile, plug your device into charging if it lacks battery life. Otherwise, you might have to deal with a corrupted software update that can be more annoying.
4. Re-Assign Fingerprints
When your fingerprints are scarred or injured, it’s better to remove the existing data and re-add the current fingerprint. This will eradicate inconsistencies from the fingerprint database of your Android phone.
Why is my fingerprint sensor not working after screen replacement? Well, the same solution might work for this situation as well. Here are the guidelines you can follow to remove and re-register your fingerprints.
- Go to Settings and scroll down until you come across Privacy and Security.
- Tap on Privacy and Security.
- Then, select Device Unlock.
- Choose Fingerprint and erase all the existing fingerprint data.
- Finally, take your time to re-add fingerprint data.
Ensure you recalibrate your finger properly while assigning the fingerprints. After you are done registering the current data, check whether the mobile fingerprint sensor not working persists.
5. Remove the Screen Protector
Has your on-screen fingerprint sensor started behaving erratically right after installing a new screen protector? Then, the screen protector can be the culprit for the fingerprint sensor not working on Samsung devices.
To be on the safe side, you should remove the screen protector and test the fingerprint sensor. Yes, removing the protector will expose the AMOLED screen to scratches and scuffs. However, you can risk it for the sake of the working fingerprint scanner.
If you notice that the fingerprint sensor resumes working properly after removing the protector, then you can try another protector that won’t interfere with the sensor’s performance.
6. Increase Your Phone’s Touch Sensitivity
Sometimes, the issue might lie in the touchscreen or its sensitivity. Samsung Galaxy devices make use of ultrasonic sensors for on-screen fingerprint scanners. Whereas Pixel devices utilize optical sensors. As their touch sensitivity may differ, you should check whether increasing the touch sensitivity helps.
Here’s what Mobile Repair Dubai experts recommend for increasing the touch sensitivity:
- Explore the Settings menu on your Android phone.
- Next, scroll down to Display and tap on it.
- Select Touch Sensitivity or Screen Protector Mode. The exact name might differ based on the phone you use.
- Increase the touch sensitivity.
Now, you test your phone’s on-screen fingerprint sensor.
7. Perform a Factory Reset
Why is my mobile fingerprint sensor not working on Android? For critical software flaws, the fingerprint sensor might be still glitching. In this situation, there’s only one troubleshooting left—resetting your device to factory defaults.
Resetting your phone will erase all the data and settings. Hence, a backup is a must before you proceed with the factory reset. For a successful reset, here’s what you can follow:
- Launch Settings on your Android smartphone.
- Next, navigate to General Management.
- Afterwards, tap on Reset.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to successfully give your phone a factory reset.
What if the Fingerprint Sensor Not Working?
Then it’s time for an expert intervention. Simply get in touch with a mobile repair shop near me. The technicians will replace the fingerprint scanner if it’s a hardware failure.
