What to Do When iPhone Fingerprint is Not Working

Lisa OuUpdated by Lisa Ou / July 14, 2021 16:30

Touch ID has an irreplaceable place in the hearts of many iPhone users. It is used to unlock the iPhone screen, purchase on iTunes Store and App Store, use Apple Pay, and auto-fill passwords. When an iPhone’s Fingerprint is not working, its owner lost a great deal of convenience. Thus, in this post, we will provide several helpful methods to fix iPhone fingerprint not working.

What to Do When iPhone Fingerprint is Not Working
Guide

Guide List

Part 1. When iPhone Passcode Is Needed to Re-Activate Touch ID

If you are familiar with how iPhone’s security system works, you might know well that Touch ID can often be disabled and need to be re-activated by re-entering iPhone Passcode. If your iPhone fingerprint is not working, you can check if you are trapped in this kind of case before you turn to more complicated solutions.

  1. You just enrolled or deleted fingerprints.
  2. You just used the Emergency SOS service.
  3. Your iPhone tried to identify fingerprints and failed five times in a row.
  4. Your iPhone has not been unlocked in the last 48 hours.
  5. You are trying to enter the Touch ID & Passcode settings.
  6. Your iPhone just rebooted and it is the first time for you to unlock it.

Part 2. Several Ways to Fix iPhone Fingerprint Not Working

There are a number of factors that should be simultaneously in the right state to ensure Touch ID’s perfect working. When any of them goes wrong, you will find your iPhone fingerprint is not working anymore. To accurately shoot the trouble, it’s better to do the steps below in order. Even if you have done one or several of them before, restart from the beginning will bring you the maximized chance to fix the problem.

1. Make sure your iPhone is using the latest iOS version

When Apple launched Face ID, many issues occurred on old iPhones which use Touch ID. Later, Apple fixed almost all of them in iOS updates. So, updating your iPhone to the latest iOS might fix your iPhone fingerprint not working.

2. Make sure you are scanning your fingerprint properly

When scanning your fingerprint, just press your finger lightly on the Home button and stay for 2 seconds. It’s better to cover the whole button with your finger. Also, make sure your hand and the fingerprint sensor are dry and clean.

3. Remove iPhone case or screen protector if they are in the way

Make sure your iPhone case or screen protector is not covering the Home button or the surrounding ring.

4. Delete the existing fingerprints and re-enroll them

Enter the Touch ID & Passcode in Settings. Select an existing fingerprint and tap Delete Fingerprint. Then tap Add a Fingerprint and enroll a fingerprint.

5. Factory reset to fix iPhone fingerprint not working

Go to Settings General  Reset  Erase All Content and Settings to factory reset your iPhone. Before you try this method, don’t forget to backup your iPhone.

Part 3. My iPhone Fingerprint Not Working and I Forgot Screen Passcode

iPhone Touch ID sometimes gets too helpful so that some people always relied on it and completely forget the screen passcode. Now their iPhone fingerprint is not working so they cannot even enter the Home screen. If you happen to be one of them, you need to seek help from FoneLab iOS Unlocker. Here are its key features.

Key Features

  1. Wipe iOS screen passcode for almost all iOS devices.
  2. Unlock iOS Touch ID and Face ID without any difficulty.
  3. Keeps updating and already compatible with the latest iOS 14.6.
FoneLab iOS Unlocker
FoneLab iOS Unlocker

FoneLab Helps you unlock iPhone screen, Removes Apple ID or its password, Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

  • Helps you unlock iPhone screen.
  • Removes Apple ID or its password.
  • Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

Steps to remove iOS screen passcode

Step 1Free download, install, and launch FoneLab iOS Unlocker on your Windows or Mac. When you see the first screen in the interface, choose Wipe Passcode.

wipe passcode of disabled iphone

Step 2Connect your iPhone to the computer via a lightning cable following the instructions on the screen.

connect iphone wipe passcode

Step 3Once they are successfully connected, the program will present you with the information about your iPhone. Check it and correct it if needed. Then click Start. Click the Start button to move on.

confirm device information

Step 4The program will automatically download the suitable firmware for your iPhone. This takes some time. When it’s done, you can click the Unlock button to move on.

firmware downloaded successfully

Step 5Enter “0000” in the frame to confirm your action. Then click Unlock.
Your iPhone will restart then. When it’s fully rebooted, you will find the passcode is gone.

unlock confirmation
FoneLab iOS Unlocker
FoneLab iOS Unlocker

FoneLab Helps you unlock iPhone screen, Removes Apple ID or its password, Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

  • Helps you unlock iPhone screen.
  • Removes Apple ID or its password.
  • Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

Part 4. FAQs about iPhone Fingerprint Not Working

1. How much does it cost to fix iPhone fingerprint not working?

It depends on if your iPhone is still under warranty. If it is, you can go to Apple Store for a free replacement. If not, you need to pay $109 - $150. Note that getting your iPhone repaired in any independent shop will void its warranty by Apple.

2. Why has my iPhone fingerprint stopped working?

There are many potential reasons: The Touch ID sensor was physically damaged; You just restarted your iPhone; Your iPhone tried to identify fingerprints and failed five times in a row; Your iPhone has not been unlocked in past 48 hours.

3. How do I remove Touch ID from my iPhone?

Go to the Touch ID & Passcode in the Settings app. Here your screen passcode is needed. Then you can switch off Touch ID for Passcode, iTunes & App Store, and Apple Pay.

FoneLab iOS Unlocker
FoneLab iOS Unlocker

FoneLab Helps you unlock iPhone screen, Removes Apple ID or its password, Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

  • Helps you unlock iPhone screen.
  • Removes Apple ID or its password.
  • Remove screen time or restriction passcode in seconds.

Conclusion

iPhone Fingerprint not working is a troublesome issue. Without Touch ID, you cannot conveniently unlock the iPhone or make a payment without the password. In this post, we gave 5 practical ways for you to fix the issue by yourself. Also, if you relied on Touch ID and forgot screen passcode, you can seek FoneLab iOS Unlocker for help.

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