You try to add a fingerprint to the Xiaomi Redmi, but the system stubbornly gives out the error “failed to add a fingerprint” or the process hangs on half? The problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones of this line – from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Redmi K60 Pro. 80% of cases are not to blame for hardware breakdowns, but software failures or incorrect settings.
The fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi can be capricious for a dozen reasons: from banal dirt on the sensor to conflicts with the shell MIUI. In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from the simplest (which you eliminate in 2 minutes) to the most complex (requires reset or repair). MIUI, If you've tried everything, there's a checklist at the end of this article to diagnose "incurable" cases.
1.Dirt, moisture or damage to the sensor
The most obvious, but often ignored, reason is that the fingerprint sensor on Redmi (especially on side-scanner models like the Redmi Note 11) collects fat, dust and microparticles, and if the sensor surface is contaminated, the system cannot read the finger pattern correctly.
How to check:
- 🔍 Examine the sensor under bright light – visible scratches or chips indicate physical damage.
- 💧 Wipe the sensor with a dry microfiber (do not use alcohol or wet wipes!).
- 👆 Try adding a fingerprint with your other finger – if the problem persists, the sensor is faulty.
⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 10 Pro and later, the sensor is combined with a power button, and if the button becomes tight or creaks after falling, most likely, not only the scanner is damaged, but also the button mechanism.
2. MIUI malfunctions or update conflict
MIUI is known for its surprises after updates, and often after installing a new firmware version (especially on the Redmi 12/13 series), the fingerprint scanner stops adding new fingers, although the old ones continue to recognize.
What to do:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes a banal reboot helps.
- 📱 Remove all saved prints in Settings → Passwords and security → Fingerprints and try to add them again.
- 🛠️ Reset the Settings for Scanner Only: Go to Settings → All parameters. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting fingerprint settings.
If the problem occurred after the upgrade to MIUI 14/15, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot or wait for the patch. In 2023-2026, Xiaomi massively fixed bugs with scanners in monthly updates.
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Before resetting the scanner, back up your fingerprints to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi-Cloud → Backup. This will save you time when you reset.
3. Conflict with protection or third-party applications
Some applications (antiviruses, password managers, launchers) can block access to a fingerprint sensor, such as Avast or 360 Security sometimes define a scanner as a “suspicious device” and restrict its operation.
How to identify the culprit:
- Launch your smartphone in safe mode (press the power button → “Safe mode”).
- Try adding a fingerprint - if it turns out, it is the fault of third-party software.
- Turning to remove newly installed apps, checking the scanner after each.
Also check the permissions for com.android.biometrics (Scanner System App):
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points → Show system.
- Find BiometricService or FingerprintService.
- Make sure it has camera rights (yes, that’s not a mistake – some Redmi models use an in-screen IR sensor).
List of applications known for conflicts with the scanner
4. Damaged system files or cache
If the scanner stopped working after manual firmware updates (via Fastboot or Recovery), the system files responsible for biometrics are likely damaged, a common problem for users who install custom firmware or Magisk patches.
Instructions for cleaning the cache:
Remove all fingerprints in the settings|Clear the app cache Settings|Clean up the BiometricService cache|Reboot the phone-->
For advanced users:
adb shell pm clear com.android.biometrics.fingerprint
adb shell pm clear com.miui.securitycenterIf that doesn’t work, try flashing your smartphone with clean firmware (without modifications) through the Mi Flash Tool. On Redmi with Snapdragon processors (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G), you will need to unlock the bootloader.
Hardware problems: from oxidation to failure
If none of the software methods worked, the problem could be hardware.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Scanner does not respond to touch, but the power button works | Oxidation of contact sensor plume | Disassembly and cleaning with alcohol (requires experience) |
| Phone vibrates when touched but doesn't add a fingerprint | Damaged IR sensor (on models with scanner in the screen) | Replacement of the display module |
| The scanner works over and over again, requires multiple attempts. | Wear of the flexible plume (on the Redmi 8/9 series) | Replacement of the plume or the entire sensor |
| The “Sensor Not Responding” Error After Falling | Mechanical damage to the scanner chip | Replacement of the sensor module |
⚠️ Attention: Redmi with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Redmi) K50) The scanner often fails after replacing the display in informal services, because the original scanner is soldered to the matrix, and when you change the screen, it is easy to damage it!
6 Hidden MIUI settings blocking the scanner
Xiaomi likes to hide critical settings deep in the menu, and sometimes the fingerprint scanner gets blocked because:
- 🔒 High security mode (included when connecting to corporate networks).
- 📱 Restrictions for the second space (if you use dual apps).
- 🛡️ Blocking biometrics via Device Admin (for example, after setting up Exchange mail).
How to check:
- Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Special Permissions → Device Administrators.
- Disable all apps except Google Play Settings and Services.
- Check Settings → Accounts → Exchange – if there is an account, temporarily delete it.
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI EU), the scanner is blocked due to lack of Google certification, in which case only the firmware of the official global version will help.
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If you are using Second Space, the fingerprint scanner may be locked for the guest profile. Check the settings in Settings → Second Space → Security.
7. When there's only a service center left
If you've tried all of the above, and the scanner still doesn't add fingerprints, it's probably a hardware problem.
- 🔧 The scanner does not respond to any touches, although the power button works.
- 💥 The phone will give you a Hardware error when you try to add it.
- 🔄 After resetting to factory settings, the problem remains.
- 📱 Artifacts (strips, flickering) appear on the screen when using a scanner (typical for Redmi with a scanner). AMOLED).
The cost of repair depends on the model:
- Redmi 9/10 Series: Replacement of sensor — 1 500–2 500 ₽.
- Redmi Note 11/12: plug-in — 2 000–3 500 ₽.
- Redmi K50/K60: replacement of the display module with a scanner — 5 000–8 000 ₽.
⚠️ Note: Official Xiaomi service centers often offer to replace the entire display module, even if the problem is only in the scanner%.