Touch ID stopped working after Big Sur update

I tried three things: 1) Resetting the SMC following the shutdown + right shift-left option-left control for 10 seconds + power button for 10 seconds then waiting 30 seconds. Problem still exists. 2) Reset by shutting down + holding the power button for 10 seconds. Problem still existed. 3) Deleted and recreated my fingerprint. Problem still exists. I have a 2020 MacBook Pro 13"

Thanks for this. I had exactly the same two problems - no Touch ID and admin password not working to unlock confidentiality settings. Shutting down, holding the power button down for 10 seconds and a normal restart fixed both for me too.

Amy, see my comment from Dec 20th above. There is a somewhat subtle difference between powering down, which takes about 5 seconds, and the RESET, which takes 10 seconds or so. The behavior of your MacBook will help determine which you are doing. On a power down, the screen goes black, after which one releases the power button. On a RESET, first the screen goes black and the MacBook appears to shut down. By continuing to hold the power button down, it does a little extra, you hear the cooling fan come on and off for about 1 second, and then all goes quiet. Wait a few seconds more before releasing the power button. Then wait about 30 seconds before pressing the power button again to restart. This should fix your issue(s). If not, make an appointment with the nearest Apple store.

Hi I’m having the same issue with my MacBook :( and I suck with technology.

these Are the steps I did :

1) shut down my macbook

2) pressed the power button for 10 seconds

3) by then my MacBook was on, and simply put the password

but after this, I still couldn’t change fingerprints or use them :( please help where I went wrong

HI!

I found how to fix this problem!

Look, first you need to hard restart your Mac

Second, go to Preferences -> Touch ID -> Add fingerprint

All works! You just need to hard restart your Mac, and that's all!

1-You should delete the finger print that is there now in your Touch ID !

2-Then shut down the Mac BUT Don't just shut it down, FORCE SHUT " HARD RESET" it down by holding the power button until it shuts off & KEEP holding it for another 20 secs or more to be safe ! Then power it up.. At that point you should be able to redo your finger print & all should work ! APPLE SYSTEM Preference- TOUCH ID

Resetting the system management controller (SMC) does the trick but you have to check the checkbox "Use Touch ID for unlocking your mac" again under System preferences > touch ID, after the reset. I thought the reset didn't solve the problem but it did, I just had to enable Touch ID again.

2018 Mac Book Pro 15"

Did the big slur update, having the same issues as stated on this thread, have tried all the above recommended fixes multiple times. Same problem reoccurs. I can unlock Mac Pro with Touch ID on the first try, but just as soon as Mac goes into Lock Screen, the issue occurs again, no Touch ID option on the Touch Bar. Having to reenter passcode every time after initial Touch ID unlock upon every restart

I have had the same thing happen. After the Big Sur update, my fingerprint did not work to log onto my computer or buy Apple Music songs. I went in and deleted my old fingerprint. When I click on "Add Fingerprint" nothing happens. When I click on the boxes that I want to use my Fingerprint for, once in a while it will ask for my apple password, but once I enter. it, nothing happens.

I have this same problem too... I have a 13-inch 2019 MacBook Pro that I just upgraded to Big Sur 11.1. After the restart, I wasn't being asked for Touch ID, only my password. I went into System Preferences and everything was checked. I tried restarting but that didn't help. I deleted my fingerprints, turned off all the Touch ID options and restarted the Mac. I went back into System Preference and tried to add a fingerprint, but when I click on the +, nothing happens. I can check the boxes, but once I exit the Touch ID screen and go back in, they are unchecked again. Any ideas?

Unfortunately all the people having the issue with the hard restart being able to resolve your issue, is a different problem.

the problem most are having on this thread is that after you initially log in to your Mac upon boot, go to your Home Screen, then put Mac in screensaver security mode. It will prompt you to use Touch ID to unlock the Mac, which works.!!!, BUT, this is the only time it will prompt you there after. ONLY WORKS ONCE. You’ll will have to renter your password to login after Mac sleeps or to access passwords or logins for accounts. I have tried all the aforementioned fixes to na avail. None have worked. The Mac will only show you the bouncing arrow alert to use Touch ID one time after logging on to computer, after that Touch ID will not show up on the tool bar.

I've tried the Hard Reset and was able to establish a fingerprint and it works fine for 24 hours. Then by the next day, my fingerprint isn't recognized and the Touch ID doesn't work. I delete the fingerprint, I establish a new fingerprint, it works for 24 hours, then it stops working. I do the Hard Reset again. I've gone in this pattern for several days. Clearly, the hardware is working.

Any ideas?

The same problem, I delete Touch ID. Did how everyone writes with restart, but this doesn't help, I still cannot add a fingerprint, it asks for macs password, I write it and nothing happens. I really hate to write the password and usually use Touch Id, what to do now, I don’t know. Really bad update.

Thanks for this - I just upgraded yesterday and discovered my touch ID wasn't working. I followed the shutting down and holding the power button for 10 seconds and then was able to set up the touch ID again. All good now.

Still not working for me. Followed both steps. After the restart, it says password is required to enable touch id. When I do and try to put the screen off to check, touch id option disappears and can only be opened via password again.