The fingerprint scanner option for Android is a useful alternative for unlocking your phone, because you just lay a fingertip on the sensor and voila, it’s unlocked. However, while it’s a convenient method both for unlocking, phone security, and authorizing payments via Google Pay, it isn’t altogether perfect.
Fingerprint scanners can frustrate you but you can improve their accuracy by how you use it, or tweak its settings. Some causes of the scanner’s failure is wet fingertips, or dirt and oil building on the reader that you can clean with a soft dry cloth.
Similarly, how you aim can also cause problems with the scanner so ensure your finger covers the reader and position it well over the sensor.
How to fix Fingerprint Scanner not working on Android
If you got the “Fingerprint scanner failed to load. Please reboot and try again” message on your device, you can resolve it using the fixes below.
Clear cache on fingerprints
In order to clear the cache for the fingerprints app, do the following:
- Open Settings
- Tap App Manager and then click on fingerprints app
- Find the clear cache option and tap on it
- Tap Force stop and press OK to confirm
Check if the fingerprint reader is working again.
Clear data from fingerprint app
If your Android device is rooted, try to clear corrupted data from the fingerprint app using the steps below:
- Open Settings
- Tap App manager
- Now tap All tabs and find and click on the fingerprint app
- Tap clear data and then tap force stop
Perform a factory reset on your device
This is a last resort method if the other two didn’t help resolve the fingerprint scanner not working issue on Android. Back up your files before performing the steps below to factory reset your device:
- Open Settings on your device
- Go to Backup and reset
- Click Factory data reset to open options
- Don’t touch Format SD-card option
- Press Reset device and tap Delete all to remove all data and apps
Did any of the above solutions help you restore the fingerprint scanning service back to working condition on your Android device? Let us know in the comments section below.
Elsie is a tech writer with 8+ years professional experience. For Tech News Watch, she brings rich experience contributing to topics such as Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS among others. In her spare time, she loves checking out the latest tech trends, gadgets, and news, listening to music and cars.
Leave a Reply