Samsung Galaxy S8- Fingerprint sensor not scanning finger.

[danio20008]

Hi, I bought my Galaxy a month ago. Since I bought it the fingerprint scanned has worked well and usually unlocked my phone 2nd-3nd try. A couple of days ago I noticed that I wasn't able to unlock my phone, but I put this down to having cuts on my fingers, as I mostly use the face scanner I wasn't too bothered at the time. Now I've noticed it won't scan my finger at all.

The problem is as follows:

When my phone is locked and I try to unlock using finger nothing happens (no vibrations), when I wake it, with power button or home button, and try again I get the vibration and a message "Make sure your finger covers entire sensor". No matter how I try it won't unlock and I have to use face scan or pin. 

Yesterday I realised that when trying to add a new fingerprint when I press my finger against sensor, the fingerprint graphic turns blue and says "0%" but a second later it turns red and says "Make sure your finger covers entire sensor"; nothing else happens, I can't add a new fingerprint. 

I tried to delete fingerprint and add new one in Safe Mode but I can't (same thing as above) and have no fingerprint set at all.

The gestures are disabled but they work fine when I checked.

The phone has not been dropped or damaged in any way.

It has latest software updates.

Have cleared the cache as well.

Any idea what has caused this and how to fix it?

Thanks.

[BandOfBrothers]

You could try backing up and Factory Resetting @danio20008

If that does not help then a Samsung Service Centre or Samsung Experience Store will be able to help you further with this situation by running a diagnostic on the phone. 

[danio20008]

Yeah, I was thinking the same but really as a last resort; hoping there may be a simpler fix. Will try this soon. Thanks.

[danio20008 · Accepted solution]

Hi, managed to fix the problem (hopefully)! Between turning on/off sensor gestures and trying to add a fingerprint, and a couple restarts, I managed to get it to scan my finger. So far it works and unlocks my phone well.
Thanks for the advice anyway. I'll have to see if the problem reoccurs again.

[conniekinbc]

Problem not solved for me. I don' know how to delete it so I can use another finger. My phone is a Galaxy A5.

[MitchH]

I have the same problem with my A71. I have the feeling it is something to do with an update in knox since it has worked fine up until the last update.

[FatcatLouie]

I also have this problem. It's a new thing. Very frustrating.

[AREZUAN]

Thanks! Helped with my Note 10. At first I couldn't get past 50% before the warning so I restarted my phone. After that I got the finger scan quickly to 100% and registered two fingers before the warning came out again.

[Holmroad]

Hi - My S8 no longer shows a fingerprint logo over which to scan fingerprint in Biometrics set up! Face and iris still work but not fingerprint! Tried restarting phone and also restarting holding down key on left and power off key on right!