Why Xiaomi’s fingerprint doesn’t work: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

The fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most convenient ways to unlock, but sometimes it suddenly stops working, users are faced with errors like "Print not recognized", "Sensor not responding" or a complete lack of response to touch. 80% of the time the problem is solved software, but 20% of the fault is iron - and then you will need repair.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes, from the common (sensor dirt) to the rare (steam damage), and give step-by-step instructions for each situation. We will focus on the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and Xiaomi 12/13 models, where sensor breakdowns are most common. If you have already tried to reboot your phone, read on: the solution is likely to lie deeper.

Xiaomi's fingerprint scanner can fail due to software failures as well as physical causes, such as a phone crash or a MIUI update. It's important to understand what caused the malfunction so you don't waste time on unnecessary actions. Next is the diagnostic and repair checklist.

1. Checking the obvious: dirt, moisture and mechanical damage

Before digging deep into the settings, look at the physical condition of the sensor. On Xiaomi, there are two types of scanners: optical (under the screen, like on the Xiaomi 13 Pro) and ultrasonic/capacitance (on the back or power button, like on the Redmi Note 10). Optical scanners are more likely to suffer from scratches on the screen, and capacitive scanners from moisture or fat.

Take a flashlight and shine a light on the sensor:

• 🔍 Scratches or cracks on the glass above the scanner (relevant to underscreen sensors) – even a microcrack can block reading.
• 💧 Moisture or condensation – if the phone fell into water or lay in the bathroom, the sensor could oxidize.
• 🧴 Fat marks - residues of cream, oil or sweat clog the sensor. wipe the sensor with an alcohol tampon (at least 70% alcohol!).
• 📱 Cover or film -- some security accessories block access to the sensor. Take them off and check.

If the sensor is clean but the print is still not readable, move to software diagnostics. On models with a subscreen scanner (for example, Xiaomi 12T), the most common fault is the incorrect screen calibration after the MIUI update.

⚠️ Note: Do not use abrasives (such as toothpaste) or wet wipes with chemical additives to clean the sensor.

2. Software failures: reboot, cache and reset sensor settings

In 60 percent of cases, the Xiaomi fingerprint scanner is shut down because of system glitches.

Step 1: Reboot the phone

It sounds trivial, but it often helps. Press the power button and select "Reset." Once turned on, check the sensor again.

Step 2. Clean the sensor cache

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management, search for Biometrics (or Fingerprints) and select Clear Cache. If there is no such option, move to the next step.

Step 3: Removal and re-registration of fingerprints

Sometimes the saved prints get damaged. Remove all the downloaded templates and add them again:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprints.
2. Delete all the fingerprints you saved.
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Add the fingerprint again, following the instructions on the screen. Importantly, apply your finger at different angles!

Step 4: Resetting security settings

If the sensor still doesn’t work, reset your security settings (this won’t delete your data, just passwords and biometrics):

Settings → About Phone → Resetting Settings → Resetting Security Settings

3. MIUI updates: why the sensor breaks after the update

Many Xiaomi users are faced with the fact that the fingerprint scanner stops working immediately after the MIUI update, the reason is the incorrect optimization of the firmware for a particular model, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14 on the Redmi Note 11 massively complained about the error “failed to scan the fingerprint”.

What to do:

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI (if you have a backup).
• 📥 Install a patch - sometimes Xiaomi releases "hot" fixes for biometrics. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Manually run the sensor module through Fastboot (for power users only!).

If a rollback is not possible, try resetting your phone to factory settings (don't forget to make a backup!).This helps in 50% of cases, but there's no guarantee - sometimes the bug remains until the next update.

⚠️ Attention: On models POCO F3/F4 after upgrading to Android 13 The fingerprint scanner may not work properly due to shell conflict POCO Launcher.The solution is to install a standard launcher MIUI.

Make a backup copy of the data|Write down all passwords and logins|Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%|Unplug Xiaomi account (if you plan to sell the device)-->

Hardware malfunctions: plume, contacts, chip

If the software didn't work, the problem is physical.

How to check for hardware malfunction:

1. Enter the number number ##4636## → Select "Equipment Testing" → "Imprint sensor. If the test doesn't pass, the problem is the iron.
2. Try registering the fingerprint in safe mode (press the power button → "Safe Mode"). If the sensor is working, it is the fault of third-party software.

If the sensor is not detected by the system, do not try to disassemble the phone yourself - the risk of damage to the fee is too high.

5. Application conflict: virus, launcher or optimizer

Third-party applications can block the sensor, and most often, the fault is:

• 🛡️ Antiviruses (Avast, Dr.Web) – sometimes block access to biometrics.
• 🎨 Third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex) – may conflict with system services.
• 🔧 Optimizers (Clean Master, DU Speed Booster – removes the necessary processes from memory.
• 🤖 Applications with administrator rights (e.g. Parallel Space).

How to find the culprit:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special Accesses → Device Administrators and disable the rights from suspicious programs.
2. Remove recently installed applications (especially if the sensor stopped working after they were installed).
3. Check your phone for viruses with Malwarebytes or the built-in MIUI Security scanner.

If the sensor is activated after you delete the application, blacklist it or find an alternative, for example, instead of Clean Master, use built-in MIUI optimization.

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Before removing a suspicious app, check reviews on Google Play. If other Xiaomi users complain about sensor issues, it’s a sure sign of conflict.

6.Reset to factory settings: Last chance before repairs

If nothing works, it's a hard reset, which will delete all the data from the phone, but it often solves the biometrics problem.

Step 1: Data backup

Save photos, contacts and apps to Mi Cloud or your computer. Use:

Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup

Step 2. Perform reset.

There are two ways:

• Through settings: Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
• Through Recovery: Turn off your phone → Press Volume Up + Power → Select Wipe Data.

Step 3: Setup after reset

After the reboot:

1. Do not restore data from the backup immediately – check the sensor first.
2. Add the print again.
3. If the scanner is working, gradually install the applications, monitoring the reaction of the sensor.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with bootloader lock (e.g., Redmi) 9A) After reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

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If the reset didn't work, it's a hardware problem. Further software repairs are pointless: bring the phone to the service.

7.Alternative ways to unlock if the sensor is not working

While the fingerprint scanner is being repaired, use alternative unlock methods:

• 🔐 PIN-A code or pattern lock is the most reliable option.
• 👤 Facial recognition (if you have a front camera) is included in Settings → Passwords and security → Facial recognition.
• 📱 Smart Lock – Automatically unlock in trusted places (such as at home) → Passwords and security → Smart Lock.
• 🔑 External security key (such as YubiKey) if your model supports FIDO2.

On models with an infrared port (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10), you can use the remote control to unlock through the Mi Remote application (root).

If you often lose access to your phone, set up emergency unlock through your Google account:

Settings → Google → Managing Google Account → Security → Screen Locking Settings

Frequent Questions (FAQ)