Previous articleMissing fingerprint in the settings Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite: 7 ways to return the scanner

You pick up your Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite, you stick your finger to the scanner, and suddenly the screen doesn't blink. Go to Settings → Passwords and security → fingerprints, and there's no fingerprint saved, even though it worked yesterday. The situation is familiar? This problem is more common than it seems, and there can be a dozen reasons for it: from software failure to hardware malfunctions.

In this article, we'll look at all the ways that we can get a missing print back, from basic checks to radical measures like resetting to factory settings. Importantly, not all methods are the same. For example, Fastboot flashing can permanently lock a scanner if it's done wrong, so we've assigned the solutions by risk and complexity, and let's start with the safest.

If you've tried to re-introduce the fingerprint and you've got a "failed to register the fingerprint" or "the scanner is not responding," don't panic. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved without going to the service center, and the key is to act in order and not miss the steps.

1. Check the basic settings and physical condition of the scanner

Before you commit serious malfunctions, make sure that the problem is not in the small things.

• 🔍 Scanner contamination: wipe the sensor with a soft wipe (do not use alcohol or abrasives.
• 📱 Cover or film: Some accessories overlap the scanner or create parasitic pressure.
• 🔋 Battery charge: at levels below 15%, the Mi 11 Lite can turn off power-intensive modules, including a biometric scanner.

Then check the settings:

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprints.
2. If the partition is active but no fingerprints, try adding a new one (even if you had them before).
3. Make sure that the Settings → Display → Screen locking option is enabled “Unlock fingerprint”.

💡

If the scanner doesn't respond to touch at all (no vibration, backlights), try restarting the phone to safe mode. To do this, hold the power button → long tap on "Stop" → "Reboot in safe mode." If it's running, it's the fault of third-party software.

Please note the scanner indication:

• 🟢 Green light when touched – the scanner is physically fit.
• 🔴 Red light or its absence – possible hardware failure.
• 🟡 Yellow/Blinking – Module firmware failure.

2. reset fingerprint data (without losing other settings)

If the scanner is on, but the prints are gone, try resetting only the biometrics, which doesn't affect photos, apps, or accounts.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprints.
2. Enter the current one. PIN-code.
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → “Delete all fingerprints”.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.
5. After turning on, try adding the print again.

Make sure you remember. PIN-code

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (minimum 30%)

Check for MIUI updates in Settings → About the phone

-->

If after the reset, the system issues an error “Failure to register the fingerprint” (code 10), this indicates:

• 🛠️ Damage to the scanner firmware (solved by flashing through Fastboot).
• 🔌 Conflict with the latest update MIUI (Try to revert to the previous version).
• 💥 Hardware defect (requires diagnosis in the service).

Rebooted phone |Cleaning scanner |Cleaning fingerprints |Rebooting MIUI |I didn't do anything-->

3. Update or rollback of MIUI firmware

The fingerprint scanner in Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is controlled by a separate driver, which can “fly” after the system update. If the problem appeared after the MIUI update, try:

Option 1: Update to the latest version

Sometimes bugs are fixed in the following patches.

1. Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If there is a version available, download it and install it.
3. After the update, be sure to restart the phone.

Option 2: Reverse to stable firmware

If the scanner stopped working after a specific update (e.g., MIUI 12.5 by 13), go back to the previous version.

1. Download the archive with the necessary firmware from the official Xiaomi website (choose the Mi 11 Lite 4G/5G model, depending on your modification!).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the phone’s root directory.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the completion (the phone will restart several times).

4. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If the previous methods didn't work, you'll have to resort to a radical solution, a complete reset, which will remove all data from your phone, including apps, photos and accounts, so make sure you back up:

• 📁 Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
• ☁️ Or sync important data with Mi Cloud (if it was configured in advance).

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data” (entry may be required) PIN-code).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).
4. After the reboot, set the phone up as new and try adding a fingerprint.

💡

Resetting to factory settings deletes all data, including files in internal memory. If you didn't have a backup, it won't be possible to restore photos or messages!

If the scanner doesn't work after the reset, it's probably hardware, but before you go to the service center, try another method: Fastboot flashing.

5. Flashing through Fastboot (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 You have unlocked the bootloader (Bootloader).
• 💻 There is a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 📥 You have downloaded the official firmware for your model (Mi 11 Lite) 4G or 5G).

Attention! The wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick. If you've never worked with Fastboot, you better go to the service.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the archive with firmware from the site Xiaomi Firmware Updater (choose the version of Fastboot).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer.
3. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to enter Fastboot mode.
4. Connect the phone to the PC and open the command line in the firmware folder.
5. Type the command: fastboot flash all (some firmware may require fastboot flash all -w).
6. Wait until the phone is finished (don’t turn off the phone!).

Once you flash it back to the factory state, try adding the print again, and if that doesn't work, it's just the service center.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when without service can not do

If none of the software methods worked, the problem is probably the hardware. Here are the typical hardware breakdowns of the fingerprint scanner in the Mi 11 Lite:

• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts of the scanner plume (often after moisture is ingested).
• 💥 Damage to flexible plume when falling or disassembling the phone.
• 🔋 Scanner controller failure (requires a module replacement).
• 📱 Screen defect (in the Mi 11 Lite, the scanner is built into the display, so cracks can block its operation).

How to check:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: adb shell dumpsys fingerprint If the answer has a line mSensorId=0 or status=unavailable, the scanner is not determined by the system.
2. Check your response to other gestures: If the screen doesn’t respond to touches in the scanner area, the problem may be in the display.

💡

In the service center diagnostics fingerprint scanner for Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite usually costs 500-1000 rubles. Replacement module will cost 2000-4000 rubles depending on the region. If the phone warranties, repair will be free (provided that the breakdown is not your fault).

Warning:

⚠️ Attention! Do not try to disassemble the Mi 11 Lite yourself to check the plume. In this model, the display is glued to the body, and if you open it neatly, you can damage other components (for example, the battery or camera).

7. Alternative ways to unlock your phone

While the scanner is not working, you'll need alternative unlock methods.

• 🔐 PIN-code or pattern lock (be sure to configure if you have not already done so!).
• 👤 Facial recognition (less secure but convenient) is enabled in Settings → Passwords and security → Facial recognition.
• 📱 Smart Lock (automatically unlock in trusted places, such as at home) Configured in Settings → Passwords and security → Smart Lock.
• 🔑 Temporary password (if you have a Mi Account attached) can be generated on the Xiaomi website.

If you forgot. PIN-code and can not unlock the phone, you will have to do a hard reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Manage Volume and Power buttons).
4. After the reset, the phone will be unlocked, but all data will be deleted.

💡

If you have Find Device enabled in Mi Cloud, you can remotely block or erase data from your phone via a web interface, which is useful if the phone is stolen or lost.

FAQ: Frequent questions about missing prints on Xiaomi