One of the safest ways to prevent unauthorized access to your Android smartphone is the fingerprint scanner. While the function makes it quick and simple for you to access your phone, it occasionally may not behave as you would expect. The good thing is there are ways to improve how it performs. Here’s how to fix In-Display Fingerprint Scanner on Android.
How Does In-Screen Fingerprint Scanner Work?
If you’ve used any recent Android devices, you’ve probably encountered the most popular method of unlocking right now: an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The way we unlock our phones has undergone one of the most noticeable usability changes during the past ten years of smartphones. We’ve progressed from inputting passcodes to using fingerprint scanners and facial recognition, but the technique that is currently most popular is the in-screen fingerprint scanner.
There are essentially two ways that in-screen fingerprint scanners work. The optical method comes first. This is the more traditional of the two techniques, hence it is likely to appear on older or more affordable phones. In a nutshell, light projection is how optical in-screen fingerprint scanners function. The finger is illuminated by the working portion of the in-screen scanner. Then, a scanner or camera below the screen takes a picture. This is then matched to the phone’s version that is already stored, and if they match, the phone is unlocked.
While optical technology is more mature, ultrasonic is currently popular. In particular, Samsung, Huawei, as well as other high-end phone manufacturers adopt this technique on their flagship models. The ultrasonic method makes use of high-frequency sound waves rather than light. An ultrasonic wave is created when you lay your fingertips on the scanner; it interacts with the skin of the finger and rebounds. In other words, as opposed to the flat image produced by the optical approach, the ultrasonic approach provides a 3D map of the fingertip. This also implies that if the fingers are dirty or moist, they will operate better.
How to Fix In-Display Fingerprint Scanner Not Working on Android?
Now that you know how the different types of in-display fingerprint scanners work, let’s look at what causes them to malfunction and how can you fix it.
Reboot
It’s usually a good idea to reboot your device if you’re having problems with any of its essential features, such as the fingerprint sensor. If you haven’t already, reboot your device right now and see if the in-display fingerprint sensor starts working properly.
Clean Sensor Surface
Over time, filth can accumulate on your screen, making it difficult for the scanner underneath to read your fingerprint, especially if it is an optical scanner. Cleaning the screen of your phone is the simplest solution for this. To remove any prints or other debris that may have gathered across the scanner’s surface, use a microfiber or an alcohol-based surface cleaner.
Warm Your Device
Temperature changes are one of the most frequent causes of in-display fingerprint scanner malfunctions. If you take your phone out of a warm environment and place it in a chilly one right away, the sensor might not function as intended. The same is true if you leave your phone outside in the winter; the temperature may become too low for the sensor to properly read your fingerprint. Try moving your device to a warm location, but not too hot, to see if that fixes the problem. This can help to solve the sensor issue and might be sufficient to restore functionality.
Remove Screen Guard
Screen protectors are intended to shield your screen from scuffs and scratches; however, some in-display fingerprint sensors may have issues when they are used with them. In this situation, taking off the screen guard from the phone’s display might be helpful. You can attempt to replace it with a different kind, but you should this time take a few things into account before buying a screen protector. You may want to think about going without one entirely if the problem continues.
Increase Sensitivity
Different types of technology can be used to power in-display fingerprint scanners. For instance, Samsung devices have ultrasonic sensors while Pixel phones have optical sensors. The latter should be less problematic for you because they are typically more accurate. However, in-display sensors are not always as reliable as capacitive ones and occasionally experience problems, particularly if your fingers are cold, moist, or unclean. To fix this problem, you might want to increase the sensitivity of the sensor.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Display.
- Tap on the toggle next to Touch Sensitivity to enable it. Some devices might have Screen Protector Mode.
Recalibrate
In some cases, improper fingerprint registration prevents the in-display fingerprint sensor from functioning properly. Your registered fingers may occasionally not function accurately. By wiping the biometric information from your phone and calibrating your fingerprints once again, you can quickly resolve this problem.
- Open Settings on your Android.
- Go to Security.
- Select Screen Lock > Fingerprint, and type in the PIN or Password.
- Remove registered fingerprints.
- Set up fingerprints again.
Check Updates
When did you last check for software updates? If it has been some time since you updated your device, a fault in the most recent version may be keeping your fingerprint sensor from functioning properly. So, go ahead and check for updates.
Factory Reset
If you’ve tried every other solution on this list and are still having issues with your phone’s fingerprint scanner, there’s probably a hardware issue. You might want to go to a service center and have it checked out. But before that, it’s best to perform a factory reset just to be sure. You can factory reset your phone to restore everything to the way it was before you loaded any apps or made any settings changes.
- Go to Settings > System.
- Tap on Reset.
- Select Factory Reset and follow the instructions.
Go to Service Center
It may be worthwhile to get your smartphone replaced while it is still covered by warranty if the fingerprint scanner doesn’t function properly out of the box. It might need to be serviced if you’ve been using it for a longer period of time. Before sending the item to a specialist, you can quickly assess it. When the display is turned on, you would be able to do a visual inspection for fractures on its surface. It might have fallen by accident. An imperfectly functioning in-display fingerprint scanner is caused by a cracked or shattered screen.
You’ll need to find a certified technician, ideally one certified by the company that made the phone. They’ll be able to locate the problem and fix your device, allowing you to once again use its fingerprint scanner. Hope you could fix In-Display Fingerprint Scanner on your Android.
