Fingerprints sensor not working on your Samsung Galaxy M21/M23/M31/M33/M51/M52/M53? If your fingerprint is not detecting on your Galaxy M31 there are a number of solutions you can try. But first, let’s look at some factors that may be causing the problem.
What causes fingerprint scanner problem?
Below are possible causes of fingerprint issue on your device.
- You are using wrong finger
- Your finger may be too wet or too dry
- You have a scar or wrinkle on your finger
- Your fingerprint sensor is defective
- There is dirt or smudge on the fingerprint sensor
- Scratches on the screen protector
- Incompatible screen protector
- Software or firmware issue
How to fix fingerprint not working issue on Samsung Galaxy M21/M23/M31/M33/M51/M52/M53
You may try one or all of the following solutions depending on the probable cause of the issue in order to fix fingerprint sensor problem on your Samsung Galaxy M Series.
1. Clean the screen
Before anything else, the first thing you should do when fingerprint is not working is check if there are any dirt or dust on the screen. If the screen is dirty, clean it nicely with a soft cloth. You may dampen the cloth with an alcohol solution for more effective result.
2. Remove screen protector
Dirty, scratched or incompatible screen protectors can affect the screen sensitivity and cause fingerprint sensor to malfunction. Remove or clean the screen protector and try the sensor again.
3. Improve screen sensitivity
The screen protector can create issue with the screen sensitivity. Try increasing the screen sensitivity and check the sensor again. To increase screen sensitivity, follow these steps:
- Open Settings from the home screen or from the notification panel by clicking the gear icon.
- Tap on Display
- Tap the Touch sensitivity and toggle to ON
4. Remove and re-register fingerprints
Removing old fingerprints and re-registering fingerprint again can often resolve the problem. Follow the procedures below to delete and add new fingerprints on your device.
Steps to delete old fingerprints:
- Go to Settings
- Scroll down and tap on Biometrics and security
- Tap on Fingerprints
- Type in the PIN, Password, or Pattern when prompted
- Select the fingerprints to remove. To select all, touch and hold a fingerprint then select All from the upper-left corner
- Tap on Remove (top right corner). Then confirm to remove
Steps to add new fingerprints:
- Go to Settings
- Tap on Biometrics and security
- Tap on Fingerprints
- Type in the PIN, Password, or Pattern when prompted
- Tap Add fingerprint. Enter the current PIN, Password, or Pattern if prompted
- Follow the on-screen tutorial to scan your fingerprint
- Tap Done to add the fingerprint
Note: Ensure the screen protectors are removed from the phone and your fingers are cleaned properly before proceeding with the new fingerprint registration.
5. Wipe cache partition
Sometimes your cache partition can get corrupted due to software malfunction. Cache partition contains frequently accessed data including your fingerprint data. Try deleting the cache partition and see if that resolves the problem.
Here’s how to clear the cache partition.
- Turn off the device
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby/Power key.
- Continue to hold both keys until Android Recovery menu options appear
- Press the Volume down key and navigate to Wipe cache partition
- Press Bixby/Power key to select
- Press the Volume down key to highlight Yes, then press the Bixby/Power key to select
- When the process is complete, Reboot system now is highlighted
- Press the Bixby/Power key to restart the device.
6. Factory reset your device
If the issue started after a software update, it can be a new bug that is causing the problem. Restoring your device back to earlier version of the software can often resolve such problems.
Here is how to perform factory reset on your device.
- Open Settings from your home screen
- Tap on General management
- Tap on Reset
- Tap on Factory data reset
- Scroll down and tap on the Reset button
- Tap the Delete all button to proceed with the reset
The reset process will take sometime to complete. Once done, your phone will reboot. After the phone has fully rebooted, try the fingerprint sensor again and see if it works. If it doesn’t, take your phone to the nearest Samsung care center for a closer inspection by a certified technician.