Google Pixel 5 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working, How to Fix?
Though Google has come up with new flagship phones, Pixel 5 is still in the hands of a lot of people. Some of them have reported issues with the fingerprint scanner. Many Google Pixel 5 owners say that the fingerprint sensor is not working. If you are also going through the same pain, fret not. This guide contains a curated list of effective solutions to quickly fix this issue.
Fingerprint unlocking is one of the quickest ways of unlocking a smartphone. And, it’s secure too (at least more than face unlock). If you are someone like me who unlocks the device dozens of times every day, then not having the fingerprint unlocking option could be frustrating.
The fingerprint sensor on your Google Pixel can stop working due to software bugs. Or, there could be system glitches. It may not work if there’s a lot of dust around the scanning portion or your finger could be dirty which can’t be recognized by your phone.
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Now that you know the potential causes of this problem, let’s troubleshoot it.
Fix: Google Pixel 5 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working
We have jotted down the list of solutions that will help you in fixing the fingerprint issues on your Google Pixel. Try them and throw the problem out of your phone.
1. Restart Your Phone
The fingerprint sensor might not working because of software bugs or system glitches. You should restart your Google Pixel which could fix these minor software issues. When you do this, the temporary data and background processes are cleared.
To restart your Pixel 5, press and hold the power button until you see power options. Click Restart. After the device restarts, you’ll need to enter the pin or password to unlock the device. From the next time, you can use the fingerprint unlocking option.
2. Clean the Fingerprint Sensor
Over time dust and debris get accumulated on the fingerprint scanner which could make it difficult to recognize your fingerprint. It is one the common reasons for fingerprint failure. You should therefore clean the fingerprint sensor located on the back of the device using a soft cloth. Also, make sure that your finger is dry and clean.
3. Register Your Fingerprint Again
If your can’t unlock your phone using your fingerprint, you can try re-registering your fingerprint. Over time, the way you use your phone can cause changes in your fingerprint and may affect the sensor’s ability to recognize your finger. Hence, you should register your fingerprint again.
To register a new fingerprint, go to Settings > Security > Fingerprint Unlock, tap on Add fingerprint and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Update Your Phone
Although the Pixel 5 is old, it still gets software updates which includes optimizations and bug fixing. So, if the fingerprint issue on your phone is caused by a software bug which is affecting many other users too, the developers should release a fix via a software update.
To update your Google Pixel, go to Settings > System > Software Update and install pending updates. Reboot your phone and check if the problem is fixed.
5. Factory Reset Your Pixel
If the fingerprint sensor is still not working on your Pixel 5, you can try factory resetting the device. It should fix all the software issues which could be causing the problem.
Note:
Factory reset removes everything on the device including installed apps and their data, saved Wi-Fi networks, and personal files. So, backup your device first.
Follow these steps to factory reset your Pixel 5:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Tap on System and click Reset options.
- Click Erase all data (factory reset).
- Tap on Erase all data. You may be required to confirm the lock screen.
- Click Erase all data again to confirm.
After factory resetting your Pixel 5, set up fingerprint unlock and then use your finger to quickly unlock the device.
We hope one of the solutions from this article would have resolved the fingerprint sensor not working issue on your Google Pixel 5. However, if the problem persists, the fingerprint sensor could be damaged. In that case, take your device to a service center to get it repaired.
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