Fix: Samsung Galaxy S20 Series Fingerprint Scanner not working or Not Detecting

The Samsung Galaxy S20 series, including the S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra, offers users cutting-edge technology and advanced features, such as the integrated fingerprint scanner for enhanced security and convenience. However, some users may experience issues with the fingerprint scanner not working or not detecting their fingerprints properly. These issues can be frustrating, as they may hinder device accessibility and security. In this guide, we will explore various solutions to help you resolve the fingerprint scanner issues on your Samsung Galaxy S20 series device, ensuring a seamless and secure user experience.

Fingerprint scanner issues on the Samsung Galaxy S20 series devices can result from a variety of factors, such as dirty or damaged sensors, software glitches, or improper setup. Identifying the root cause is crucial for applying the most effective solution and restoring the fingerprint scanner’s functionality. By following the troubleshooting steps provided in this guide, you will be able to address and fix the fingerprint scanner issues on your Samsung Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, or S20 Ultra, ensuring smooth and secure access to your device.

Screen Mirroring on Samsung Galaxy S20 series

Fix, Fingerprint Scanner not working or Not Detecting in Galaxy S20 Series

Clean the screen

As the Galaxy S20 series features an under-display fingerprint sensor, the first step would be to clean the screen with any microfibre cloth completely. Technically, the presence of dust, smudge, or dirt on the screen would have little effect on your device’s fingerprint scanner as it uses sound in scanning a 3D image of a finger. However, real-world tests show otherwise.

Update to Latest Software

Follow the below steps to update system software:

Open Settings from either Quick Nav menu or the launcher.
Go to the More tab, then tap on About device.
Tap on the Software update.
If a system update is available, you’ll see the option on the screen. Tap Download and Install.
If your system is up to date, you will see a message stating that the system is up to date.

That is all. You have successfully checked for a system update on your Samsung Galaxy S20 (Plus) and S20 Ultra.

Here are a few things that are needed to take care while updating your Samsung Galaxy S20 (Plus) and S20 Ultra or any device:

Your device must be connected to the internet.
Your device must have enough space to download the update.
Your device should have enough charge, more than 50% to install the update.

Delete and add fingerprints

From a Home screen, swipe up or down from the center of the display to access the apps screen.
Open the Settings app.
Tap Biometrics and security.
Tap Fingerprints. If prompted, enter the current PIN, password, or pattern.
Select the fingerprint to remove. To select all, touch and hold a fingerprint until selected then tap All (upper-left). When selected, a blue checkmark will appear to the left of the fingerprint.
Tap Remove (upper-right).
To confirm, review the disclaimer then tap Remove.
That’s it. You’ve now removed a fingerprint from your device.

Once you’ve removed all stored fingerprints, set fingerprint recognition up again. Prior to beginning the setup, make sure that:

your hands, especially the fingers you want to add, are clean of dust, moisture, dirt, oil, lotion, dyes, etc.
you have your screen unlock option (PIN, Pattern, or Pattern) ready.

Below are the steps on how to add additional fingerprints on Galaxy:

From a Home screen, swipe up or down from the center of the display to access the apps screen.
Open the Settings app.
Tap Lock screen.
From the ‘Looking for something else?’ section, tap Fingerprints. If prompted, enter the current PIN, password, or pattern.
Tap Add fingerprint. If prompted, enter the current PIN, password, or pattern.
Follow the on-screen tutorial to scan your fingerprint. Repeat this step as necessary until the process is complete.
Tap DONE (lower-right).
That’s it! You’ve now registered another fingerprint.

Improve screen sensitivity

Head to Settings in the app tray or tap the gear-shaped settings button in the pulldown bar
Select Display from the list of options
Scroll down till you find Touch Sensitivity
Toggle the switch to ON to increase touch sensitivity for use with screen protectors.

Clear Cache from Recovery Mode

In case you don’t know what is recovery, the first thing the bootloader rings up is the recovery. Recovery Mode refers to a special bootable partition, which contains a recovery application installed in it. And you can fix some problems with your phone. Follow the steps to clear cache from recovery mode:

Turn off your phone.
Once it is turned off. Press and hold the power/Bixby and volume down button simultaneously until the Android logo pops up.
When the green Android logo displays, release both buttons.
The Recovery screen menu will now appear
Use the Volume button to go to Wipe Cache Partition then press the Power button to confirm the selection.
Wait until your device wipes out all cache or temporary data from the system partition.
Press the Power button again to reboot the device.

This clears all the temporary data from the device. And then it works like new.

Reset app preferences

Open the Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
Select Reset app preferences.
Restart your Galaxy and check for the problem.

Troubleshoot apps in Safe Mode

In case you don’t know what is safe mode, in a safe way, the system temporarily disable all third-party applications you installed on your device. By doing this, we can figure out which app is occurring the problem. Follow the below step to turn Safe Mode on:

Turn OFF the device.
Press and hold your device’s Power button till the model name screen.
When the SAMSUNG logo appears on the screen, release the Power key.
Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.

After figuring out the apps which are creating the problem, follow the below steps to uninstall it(if required):

Open Settings from Launcher.
Tap on Apps.
Tap See All Apps.
Tap an app that you want to uninstall
Tap Uninstall.
Tap OK to confirm.

Factory Reset

Disclaimer

Factory reset will delete everything, so you want to make sure that you create a copy of your data such as photos, videos, documents, texts, etc. ahead of time.

Open the Settings from the launcher.
Scroll to and tap General management.
Tap Reset.
Select Factory data reset.
Tap Reset to continue.
Tap Delete All to confirm the action.

From Recovery:

Turn off your phone.
Once it is turned off, press and hold power/Bixby and Volume down button simultaneously until the Android logo pops up.
When the green Android logo displays, release both buttons.
The Recovery screen menu will now appear
Use the Volume Down button until you are highlighting ‘Wipe data/factory reset.’
Press the Power button to select ‘Wipe data/factory reset.’
Use Volume Down to highlight Yes.
Press the Power button to confirm the action to clear your phone data.

Visit the Service Centre

Although it’s rare, some cases of the issues on Samsung Galaxy devices may have lousy hardware as the origin. If a factory reset doesn’t help in fixing your problem, visit your local Samsung store or Service Center so a qualified Samsung technician can examine the hardware. If needed, they may send it in for repair or replacement.

Do you own a Galaxy Device, or any Android device and need these types of simple tutorials? Then stay tunned to GetDroidTips’ Android Tips & Tricks column because many simple tutorials for Galaxy are coming soon.

If you have any queries regarding this, the comment section is always available.