Reasons for touch id failure. Is your fingerprint scanner broken? Detailed repair instructions

Almost every iPhone owner considers the presence of a touch id fingerprint an advantage. This allows you to protect the device from the curiosity of others, increasing the level of protection. Touch id also serves as a key to confirm many transactions, such as banking. Some gadget owners are faced with a problem such as: “touch id does not work on iPhone se.” This type of failure can cause difficulty unlocking the screen and using the device.

There are various reasons why the fingerprint does not work on the iPhone SE.

Common reasons for iPhone SE not responding to Touch ID

Incorrect settings initially affect the normal response of the biometric scanner. It's best to stick to Apple's recommendations. A logical solution would be not only to install unlocking using a fingerprint, but also using a password. This approach will make it easy to unlock the device if the sensor does not respond.

Scanner setup features:

Fingers and the home button should be clean and dry;
By clicking on the gear, you should select “Touch ID and password”, enter the numbers;
Next, you should click “add fingerprint” and lightly touch “Home”;
Ideal if you add 3 to 5 different fingerprints (their position) at once.

All these manipulations make it possible to achieve a quick response of the gadget to touch.

Sometimes the poor condition of the owner’s hands leads to the fact that touch id does not work well on iPhone se 1. Burns and cuts lead to changes in the pattern on the fingertips, which, in turn, leads to certain problems in the device reading information.
The "Home" button does not respond well due to the appearance of a mud ring. In this case, you should wipe the button with a napkin.
Also, the iPhone SE sensor does not work in the cold. A good solution would be to add a new fingerprint in the settings, especially in cold weather. In this case, the sensor will react when it is below zero outside.
Sometimes problems occur after updates. You can simply wait for new updates or try to fix the situation yourself. To do this, you should reset all settings, delete existing fingerprints and add everything again.

If resetting does not help, a complete flashing is necessary. It is more logical to entrust this procedure to a competent master.

Also, a visit to the service center is caused by a breakdown of the scanner itself, which sometimes happens with the iPhone SE. Only replacing the part will help correct the situation.

As for technology, we cannot help but raise the issue of setting up a fingerprint scanner on the iPhone and consider possible problems.

Let me remind you that Touch ID is a great way to use a fingerprint instead of the usual four-digit password. One press of the Home button is enough to unlock your iPhone, let's figure out how to set up Touch ID.

How to set up Touch ID

Apple says Touch ID can recognize your finger from almost any angle. This is true; when you initially scan your fingerprint, the phone will ask you to send your finger to the sensor again for additional scanning from different angles and angles.

To begin with we need activate Touch ID, we go along the following path:
Settings - General - Touch ID and password - Touch ID
Once Touch ID is enabled, iPhone will require you to enter the usual four-digit passcode to provide additional security. For example, when adding other fingerprints.
Now you need to gently touch the “Home” button until you feel a slight vibration. This action must be repeated as many times as necessary. In this case, the fingerprint image will gradually fill in. It is important to do everything as if you use the iPhone in everyday life, that is, as naturally as possible. Make sure your finger and button are dry.
At some point, the phone will ask you to touch the button at an angle with your finger to scan the edges of your fingertip.

It is worth noting that the more you use Touch ID, the better the technology will recognize your fingers. In total, the iPhone allows you to register up to five fingers (it will take more time to recognize), by the way, some manage to register not only fingers... An interesting fact is that Touch ID will still understand you if you suddenly get a severe injury to your finger, which will break the imprint. Touch ID will still require you to enter a four-digit passcode in the following cases:

after rebooting the phone;
available in the “Touch ID and Password” settings section;
after 48 hours have passed since the last unlock.

What can you use Touch ID for?

At the moment, Apple uses Touch ID technology very sparingly. With your fingerprint, you can only unlock your iPhone and make purchases from the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store without entering a password.

By the way, the ability to purchase content in the above-mentioned stores can be disabled; to do this, you need to go to the following menu section:

Settings - General - Touch ID and password - Touch ID

There is a corresponding toggle switch “iTunes Store, App Store”.

But users can afford much more, for example, setting fingerprint protection to open certain folders or applications.

Touch ID doesn't work

If you encounter problems when working with Tocuh ID, the reasons may be very different. In such cases, Apple recommends all sorts of banality - make sure that you have the latest version of iOS, the Home button is not covered with dirt, pay attention to whether your entire finger covers the sensor, and stuff like that...

If all of the above is not the case in your case, then we can recommend trying to register a different fingerprint.

Problem still exists? Your case is the worst. Apparently you are faced with a manufacturing defect in Touch ID. Most often this is accompanied by the error " Scanning failed, please go back and try again" when scanning a fingerprint and if restarting the iPhone does not help you, then you need to take the phone to a service center.

The most disgusting thing about this problem is that sometimes it is the seller's fault. The fact is that if there is a defect, unscrupulous sellers assemble two iPhones into one, and since the Touch ID sensor is connected to the native processor, they cannot find each other in the body of one phone. This is just one of the possible reasons, you should not assume only this, but such an option is quite possible.

What to do if Touch ID doesn't work well

iPhone and iPad users often complain about poor Touch ID performance. Moreover, difficulties with fingerprint recognition can arise even with the button cleaned of dirt and dust and clean, dry fingers.

Few people know, but iOS has a built-in function for correcting your fingerprint data. In other words, the accuracy of Touch ID recognition can be improved and it’s not difficult at all:

Go to: Settings – General – Touch ID and password – Touch ID;
register multiple fingerprints if you have not already done so;
Now in the main Touch ID settings menu, just touch the Home button and you will see the registered “finger” highlight in gray;
repeat this procedure several times, touch the sensor at different angles.

This way you will be able to “train” Touch ID and you won’t even need to re-register your fingers.

If you have not found an answer to your question or something has not worked out for you, and there is no suitable solution in the comments below, ask a question through our

Some users encounter problems when setting up Touch ID. In this case, the system prompts you to go back and try again. This feature allows you to increase the security of your smartphone by using fingerprint. After this, it becomes much more difficult to get to personal data, but a configuration failure puts an end to this. Usually everything goes away after the system update is released, but it is worth noting that this is not always the case. How to get rid of the problem will be discussed in the article.

Touch ID setup doesn't work or can't be completed

This section will provide ways to resolve program failures that the user can apply independently. In most cases, this is enough for the smartphone to start functioning normally.

Recreating the fingerprint

This is what the user should do first. This method mainly helps if a feature stops working after an update. In this case, it does not work in any of the applications.

First you need to go to Settings- Touch ID and passcode-Enter your password.

Next you will need to transfer all active items to off mode. After this you will need to go to the main screen. Now you need to press the power button and the home button and hold them until the device reboots. After this, you will need to go back to the settings and enable the same items that were previously disabled. This is where you should add a new fingerprint.

Launch the application “Open with your finger”

If the previous method did not help, then you should try the following steps. You need to run the settings again, then go to the main section.

After that, go to universal access, and then go to item Home.

Then you need to restart the device again and try set up Touch ID.

Recalibrate the sensor

A failure may also occur due to an old and non-working fingerprint. It will be best Create new. To do this, you need to go to settings and continue, as in the first point.

Next you should go to the fingerprint you are using and remove it from the system.

Then again you need add a fingerprint, to do this you need to press the corresponding button.

Next, you will need to apply your finger in different ways until the imprint at the center is filled.

This is best done diligently and carefully, applying your finger on different sides and from different directions. It may be a good idea to apply it not from the most comfortable position, when the smartphone is lying on the table and the user is scanning his finger. It is better to do this while holding it in your hand, because this is how it will be unlocked later.

Forced restart

For owners of iPhones six or less, to perform this procedure you will need to hold power and home button within ten seconds. For sevens this will be power and volume down. For iPhone X You will have to first press volume up, then volume down, and then you will have to hold down the power button.

Reflashing the device

If none of the previous methods helped, you can flash the device. To begin with, you need to disable search function device if lost, otherwise nothing can be done. Next, you will need to find out the model of your smartphone and download the firmware for this model. You can view it on the back cover of the device.

Then you need connect iPhone to computer using the original cable. You must have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer, otherwise errors may occur during the process.

After connecting, the program itself can determine that the device requires restoration. In this case, all you have to do is click OK and select the file. If this does not happen, then you need go toitunes, hold down shift and click on the iPhone. Next, select device recovery and specify the path to the downloaded file. Then all that remains is to wait for the process to complete.

Cleaning the Home Key

The reason may also be a clogged sensor on the button. In this case, stand it carefully wipe with a cloth, and if it doesn’t help, then you can use a small amount of alcohol, and then try to scan your finger again or complete the setup.

Using AssistiveTouch

If the Home button malfunctions, you can enable this function to control your phone. First you have to go to settings, then to the main section, then to AssistiveTouch, then enable the desired option. After this, an additional menu will appear on the smartphone, which can be used to configure and access functions.

Replacing the Home button

A common reason why this function does not work is button failureHome. At the same time, it does not work or does not work well when performing its other functions. In this case, you should contact the service for diagnostics and replacement.

Contacting technical support

If none of the tips help, the user can always contact the support line. There, specialists will help determine the cause of the failure and suggest possible solutions.

A couple more tips that might help. To begin with, the user can try reset all settings, and then re-set the desired parameters. To do this, you need to go to settings, basic, then reset and reset all settings.

You can force a reboot while the phone is charging; this method helps many. You can also carefully wipe the screen or use another finger to scan. You can still wait for the next update to come out. If everything is fine with the device itself, then in most cases this solves the problem.

Of course, such protection was to the taste of users who immediately began to use all the benefits of “Apple products”. However, after some time, numerous complaints began to appear on the official Apple technical support website that the Touch ID setup could not be completed. Such a useful solution turned out to be completely ineffective? Or can the problem be solved? Let's take a closer look in the article.

Causes

There are many factors that can affect the performance of a smartphone. Some attribute the failure to complete Touch ID setup to the redesigned stock apps, new Siri features, changes to the CarPlay interface, and more. However, the reasons may be much more trivial than it seems at first glance.

Most often, problems with the scanner appear at subzero temperatures. In this case, Touch ID cannot be configured due to the fact that the touchscreen is simply frozen and cannot recognize the user. In addition, in cold weather it also changes on a person’s fingers. Of course, this cannot be seen with the naked eye, but for sensitive equipment this is a huge problem. Therefore, if you were unable to complete the Touch ID setup, return to a warm place and try to repeat the procedure again when the device and your hands are warm.

The second common reason is dirt and moisture. If you try to set up the scanner in the rain or in cloudy weather, when high humidity prevails outside, then most likely nothing will work. The same goes for dirty hands. Again, your fingers may look clean on the outside, but this will not be enough for the scanner.

Of course, there are more serious reasons why Touch ID setup couldn't be completed. Quite often the problem occurs due to incorrect settings or a short program crash. The reason may also lie in the hardware.

Correct setting

In order for Touch ID to work fully, you need to configure it. To do this correctly, you need to follow these steps:

Make sure the Home button is clean and free of moisture. Hands must be dry.
Go to your phone settings and select “Touch ID password”. Enter the code combination.
Click “Add fingerprint” and calmly touch the Home button without pressing it too hard.
Hold your finger still until the device begins to vibrate.
Repeat the procedure. The finger must be lifted several times and pressed against the button again. It is recommended to change its position slightly.
A new menu will appear on the screen where you will be asked to adjust the fingerprint capture. To do this, you need to take the phone in your hand in the most convenient way and place your fingertip on the Home button. This procedure is also repeated several times.

If you still can't complete the Touch ID setup, you can try using another finger. Or use another method.

Restoring Touch ID

To rollback previous changes and set new settings, you must complete the following steps:

Go to the main menu and select “Touch ID password” again.
Enter the access code and delete old biometric data.
Repeat the procedure for adding a “cast”.

If after this you are still unable to complete the Touch ID setup on your iPhone, you can try restoring the system via a backup that was previously made in cloud storage or on your PC. To do this, you need to connect your device to your computer and go to iTunes. Next, you just need to click the “Restore” button and select the desired backup date. After recovery, you must re-enter your biometric data as described earlier.

If the problem is hardware

If there is a non-software failure and you cannot complete the Touch ID setup, then the reason may lie in the device itself. The Home button cable may have come loose. To solve this problem, you need to carefully disassemble the phone. Then you need to disconnect the cable from the button, check if there is any damage on it, and re-insert it. In some situations, this helps fix the error.

However, such experiments should not be carried out without proper experience. If the user is confident in his abilities, then before performing such operations it is necessary to save all data from the smartphone.

If Touch ID stops working in the App Store

Very often, users notice a problem with the scanner only when they go to the official Apple store. However, if the fingerprint is not removed in the App Store, this may also indicate a problem with the device.

In this case, you must perform the following steps:

Go to settings and go to “Touch ID password”.
Enter the code and find the “Usage” section.
Disable the App Store and iTunes Store in it.
Reboot the device.
Go to the settings again and repeat the procedure, only this time the stores must, on the contrary, be activated.

This usually helps get rid of bugs.

Technical support

If none of the above helped, do not despair. Experienced Apple support technicians can help you figure out why you can't complete Touch ID setup. To do this, you need to go to the company’s official website and create the appropriate ticket. Or you can search in the questions already asked. Most likely, there are a large number of discussion threads on the site with similar problems. If the consultants suggest doing everything that has already been stated, then all that remains is to go to the service center and try to diagnose the device. Before doing this, you should copy all the data from the phone again.

Touch ID is one of the most useful features of iPhones and other smartphones that have this advantage. It not only protects your phone and its data from prying eyes, but also serves as a key for purchases in the App Store and the Apple Pay payment system. The scanner also protects third-party applications, for example Sberbank Online. However, like any technical innovation, it does not function flawlessly on all devices. In this article, we will figure out what to do if Touch ID on iPhone is not working.

What is Touch ID

First, let's look at what the mentioned fingerprint scanner is. Touch ID, called one of the important functions of the iPhone, first appeared on the iPhone 5s; later models without exception are equipped with this option. The scanner is built into the main working Home button. His device, which is only 170 microns thick (that’s twice as thin as a human hair!) can quickly analyze the subepithelial layer of the skin of a person’s finger touching the button using a fingerprint image with a resolution of 500 ppi. It is not surprising that such a thin system can often be capricious, which is why the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work.

One of the features of Touch ID is that it can be “trained,” customized, and also stored in memory up to 5 fingerprints (either one person or several), each of which will be the key to your device and individual applications in it.

Setting up Touch ID correctly

Sometimes the iPhone 5s fingerprint scanner does not work well due to incorrect initial setup. Therefore, before you start using your new “smart” device, you should set up Touch ID, following Apple’s recommendations:

Before setting up the sensor, enter the password for the device (4-6 digits, depending on the OS version). It is he who will help you unlock the device if the scanner suddenly malfunctions.
Make sure the Home button and your hands are clean and dry.
Go to settings under the "gear" icon, select "Touch ID and password". Enter the code from step 1.
Click on "Add fingerprint". After that, tap (don't press hard, just lightly) the Home button. At the same time, it is important to hold the device naturally and position your finger in the way that is most convenient for you.
Once you touch the button, hold your finger until it vibrates slightly or until the text appears on the screen: “Lift your finger and place it on the Home key several times.”
After this command appears, apply your finger, slightly changing its location.
Next, the device will offer to enter a grip that is convenient for you into its memory. Here you should hold the phone in your hand in a way that will be convenient for you to position it in your hand when unlocking the device. At this point, you no longer apply the center of the fingertip to “Home”, but its edges.
Once you have stored one fingerprint in memory, you can repeat the procedure for others. For greater reliability of the scanner, the iPhone’s memory should contain up to three of your fingerprints.

"Train" Touch ID

If you are faced with the fact that the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work well, then try “training” your Touch ID. To do this, you need to go to “Settings”, “Tooch ID and password”, enter the required code. Then touch the scanner with the pad of your finger stored in its memory. At this time, the name of her fingerprint on the screen will turn gray.

Start "training" your scanner - keep touching "Home" with your finger in different positions. These manipulations will help increase the speed of both scanning and fingerprint recognition. To achieve better results, repeat the mentioned algorithm of actions several times.

Fingerprint scanner not working: universal ways to fix the problem

If you are faced with the fact that the fingerprint has stopped working on the iPhone 5s, then we will offer you the most likely causes of the problem and ways to resolve them:

First of all, check that the scanner is turned on and configured in accordance with the algorithm from the second subheading. In the "Settings" section "Touch ID and password" the sliders opposite unlocking, App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Pay must be active, and in the "Fingerprints" tab at least one finger must be stored in memory.
Try entering one or more other fingerprints. Please note that each of them can be assigned its own name.
The reason that the fingerprint does not work on the iPhone 5s may also be the condition of your hands. If you just came from the cold, have been in the water for a long time, have applied a greasy cream, or there are minor damages on the pads of your fingers (microcracks, scratches), then this may be the reason that the iPhone could not correctly recognize your fingerprint.
Clean the Home key with a dry paper or cloth. A ring of dirt that is invisible to the eye sometimes accumulates around its circumference, which reduces the working diameter of the key and complicates the operation of the scanner.

Now let's move on to more specific cases of faults.

Touch ID doesn't work in cold weather

If the fingerprint scanner on your iPhone 5s does not work in the cold, then the following life hack is for your attention:

To carry out further manipulations, find yourself again in icy conditions and go to the “Touch ID and password” tab located in “Settings”.
Click on "Add a new fingerprint". Your hands should already be cold.
According to the scheme indicated in the second subheading, add your frozen fingerprint to the device memory.
If even this manipulation did not help, then there is only one thing left to do - unlock the phone using a digital password.

Problems after update

The overwhelming majority of users complain that the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work after they have updated iOS to the latest version. The most effective "lazy" way here is to wait for the next "update" in which this bug will be fixed. But if you need a properly functioning scanner on the Home button, then try to troubleshoot the problem using these methods:

Close all running programs and perform a Soft Reset (simultaneously pressing the Home and Power keys for 10 seconds). It would be a good idea to clean the scanner itself and your fingertips with a napkin. Go to the “Settings” section “Touch ID and password” and delete all existing fingerprints (swipe left or click on their name, then “Delete fingerprint”). Next, select "Add a new fingerprint" and refer to the detailed algorithm described above in the settings.
If the previous method did not help, then you will have to completely flash the device. Before the operation, be sure to save backup copies of the information on your iPhone in a safe place. iTunes must be downloaded and authorized via your iPhone's Apple ID on your PC or laptop. Disable Find My iPhone. Next, connect the phone via a USB cable to its “big brother”. If the PC OS is Windows, then during this manipulation hold down the Shift button on the keyboard, if the Mac is holding down the Alt/Option key. Next, select "Restore" by specifying the downloaded firmware.

Touch ID failure

The fingerprint on the iPhone 5s may not work as a result of a malfunction of the scanner - you will see this message on the screen after several futile attempts to unlock the device using Touch ID. The reasons for this can be different: slight wear and tear on the device itself, conditions that make it difficult to scan a fingertip, etc. This problem, according to many users, can be prevented by monthly updating of the fingerprints recorded in the memory. The latter must be completely deleted and new ones must be added through “Add fingerprint”.

The way to solve the problem is traditional: clean the Home button and fingertips, remove old “fingers” from memory and add new ones using the standard procedure.

Problems with the App Store

Another problem that can be solved is the malfunction of the scanner when using it in the App Store. In this store, Touch ID is actually the key to downloading new apps. In this case, you can “fix” the fingerprint scanner like this:

Go to the "Touch ID and Password" section in "Settings".
Opposite "App Store, iTunes Store" make the slider inactive.
Reboot your device.
Return to step 1, activate the slider responsible for “App Store, iTunes Store”.

Touch ID scanner is broken

Failure of the Touch ID system itself is rare, but still possible. In this case, the only solution to the problem is to replace the iPhone 5s fingerprint scanner. To eliminate the possibility of error, delete all fingerprints and restart your iPhone. Add your fingerprint to Touch ID & Password again. If unsuccessful, repeat the procedure a couple more times. If after this the scanner remains blind and deaf to your fingerprints, then only qualified diagnostics and, possibly, repairs at an Apple service center will help it.

As you have seen, the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s does not work or functions poorly for a variety of reasons. You can easily and quickly solve most problems on your own - a visit to specialists is only required if the scanner breaks down - to replace it. For proper and long-term operation, it is also important to configure Touch ID correctly.