[Solved-3 Solutions] How to Fix Fingerprint Scanner Not Working on Samsung

Error Description:

Most Samsung new models are equipped with fingerprint scanner, including:

Galaxy A5/A7/A9/A9 Pro
Galaxy S5/S6/S7/S7 Edge
Galaxy Note 4 /Note 5

It is very convenient for us to unlock Samsung phones with fingerprint. However, things don't always go well and at some point, the fingerprint scanner just stops working for some reasons.

Case 1: Samsung Failed to Recognize My Fingerprint

Solution 1:

Unlock Samsung with Google Account

Precaution: To unlock your Note 5 with Google account, you should have google account added to your phone before you were locked out.

After entering the wrong backup password for more than 5 times, you get the option of "Unlock via Google". Then type your Google email and password, tap "Sign in". After you log in, the "Lock Screen" will be reset as "Swipe".

Learn Android - Android tutorial - unlock samsung via google account - Android examples - Android programs

Solution 2:

Unlock Samsung via Findmymobile.samsung.com

Precaution: You should have added Samsung account and turned on "Remote Control" on your Samsung phone to use the unlocking feature on findmymobile.samsung.com.

Go to findmymobile.samsung.com and log in with your Samsung account. Then find the "Unlock my screen" option. Click on "Unlock" button and your get the message: the screen is unlocked. Setup screen lock on the device.

Learn Android - Android tutorial - find my mobile unlock my screen - Android examples - Android programs

Your Galaxy phone should be unlocked now.

Solution 3:

Unlock Samsung by Factory Resetting

What if you have switched off network connection or don't have a Google/Samsung account? You can still get your phone unlocked by resetting the phone to factory settings.

Step 1 : Put your phone into recovery mode. Turn off the device. Then press and hold the "Volume Up", "Power" and "Home" buttons at the same time until the Android logo appears. Release "Power" button but continue to hold the other buttons until the following page comes up.

Learn Android - Android tutorial - recovery mode buttons in samsung - Android examples - Android programs

Step 2 : Tap "wipe data/factory reset" and "wipe cache partition" to erase all the settings and data in the phone. Then, reboot the phone, the screen lock will be removed.

Note: Factory resetting will wipe out all your settings and data in the phone. So you'll lose all data if you don't have a backup.

Case 2: Fingerprint Scanner Stopped Working after Upgrading

Every Android new update may have some small bugs and cause problems in some models. To eliminate the bugs, you should wipe the cache partition in recovery mode first:

Put your phone into the recovery mode.
Use the volume buttons to scroll down to highlight "Wipe Cache Partition". Press the "Power" button to confirm. After that, choose "Reboot System Now" to restart the phone.

If the problem persists after that, here suggest you try the other three methods:

Do factory reset the phone under recovery mode. (Factory resetting the phone will delete all data and brings your phone back to factory state.) Therefore, backup important data to computer before performing a factory reset).

Disadvantage: All Data will be erased!