Touch ID stopped working. I restarted my iMac (it's the latest M1 iMac) and Touch ID again started to work. After a few hours, it stopped working again.
I assume it is a Monterey software fault.
Anyone else experience this? Is there a fix?
Thanks.
This happened to me and my system preference for Touch ID even disappeared. Hubby, a Mac user since 1984, had me do the following in this specific order with no apps running (trackpad and keyboard are wireless): (1) turn off keyboard; (2) turn off bluetooth; (3) turn off trackpad; (4) wait at least 5 seconds; (5) turn trackpad on and plug it in; (6) turn bluetooth back on; (7) turn keyboard back on (8) launch system preferences.
This restored my Touch ID system preference and I was able to re-create my IDs and they are working!
This happened to me and my system preference for Touch ID even disappeared. Hubby, a Mac user since 1984, had me do the following in this specific order with no apps running (trackpad and keyboard are wireless): (1) turn off keyboard; (2) turn off bluetooth; (3) turn off trackpad; (4) wait at least 5 seconds; (5) turn trackpad on and plug it in; (6) turn bluetooth back on; (7) turn keyboard back on (8) launch system preferences.
This restored my Touch ID system preference and I was able to re-create my IDs and they are working!
I've been able to solve my issue with this by making sure that the keyboard is kept charged; when the charge falls below a certain level, the keyboard still works but the Touch ID does not.
trudy999, here is tgasc's comment that I was referring to, about rebooting:
I have an M1 Macbook with wireless keyboard. In my case, the touch ID onboard works fine, but on my new external/wireless keyboard, it would stop working after sleep.
For now I found 2 temporary "workarounds":
OR
Hello LarryLosAngeles,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand thatTouch ID stopped working after updating to macOS Monterey. We are happy to help.
Let’s try the steps here: If Touch ID isn't working on your Mac - Apple Support
Let us know the results.
Take care.
If you have a wireless keyboard, try switching it off and on again. This worked for me. Also, Touch ID is working fine now. Not sure why, especially since there has not been an Apple update yet. Good luck. Keep me posted.
I'm running the latest Monterey and Touch ID started failing intermittently before not working ever on my 2019 MacBook Air (Intel with T2 chip). I searched and found a recommendation to reset the SMC (System Management Controller) to address Touch ID issues. I did so after deleting all my registered fingerprints.
After shutting down and restarting again for good measure after the SMC reset, I added a couple fingerprints and Touch ID seems to be working normally again (knock on wood :-).
I see folks with M1-based Macs complaining about the same issue - perhaps an SMC reset will work there too.
I have an M1 Macbook with wireless keyboard. In my case, the touch ID onboard works fine, but on my new external/wireless keyboard, it would stop working after sleep.
For now I found 2 temporary "workarounds":
Hopefully Apple will fix this issue in the short future.
What I discovered is that if I turn OFF the wireless keyboard and then turn it back on, Touch ID works again. This is not a permanent fix, but it is easier than re-booting the computer and just takes a few seconds.
I will assume that Apple knows of this bug and will fix it in an upcoming update.
If you have any real fixes, please let us know.
There is a little switch on the wireless keyboard. Just turn it OFF. Wait for the screen to say the Keyboard is UNCONNECTED. Then, turn the keyboard back on. That has worked for me.
Not sure about the not being able to add a fingerprint issue.
Good luck.
For me, just turning off the wireless keyboard and turning it back on has worked.
Turning off and on my keyboard worked on my M1 iMac just now. If it fails again I'll add something but so far so good:). Thanks for the easy (so far!) fix.
Yep, this happened to me as well. Apple told me to boot into safe mode, then try it. That fixed it. But it stopped working a few days later again. They are going to tell me to completely reinstall Mac OS again...
@Bearded_Yoda wrote:
The SMC solution is not applicable for the Macs with M1 chip [...]
Yeah... I posted a mia-culpa / correction / apology regarding my wishful thinking about an SMC reset being a helpful idea for M1 Macbook owners when I discovered that. Apparently edits become impossible once a post is marked "Helpful" or maybe just someone next replies to a thread :-).
Have you gotten on the phone with the Apple Support folks about this? I would try that if I had a newer Macbook and was experiencing this issue. They don't monitor this forum (at least not officially).
FWIW, the Touch ID feature of my Intel-based macbook has continued to work just fine for nearly 4 months since that SMC reset and post (knock on wood :-).
@LarryLosAngeles wrote:
> For me, just turning off the wireless keyboard and turning it back on has worked.
I saw that... Since my MacBook's keyboard isn't independently-wireless and turning the whole **** computer off & on didn't fix it, I had to keep looking for a fix or get used to just using my password :-).
Hopefully the SMC reset that appears to have fixed my issue will do the trick for those with integrated/wired keyboards as well.
I found the most helpful thing on Reddit. Delete the current fingerprints, then do the turn off and hold down 4 keys for 10 seconds thing, then restart, then redefine the fingerprints. I did not have a bluetooth keyboard, so those comments were not relevant for me.
Touch ID Not Working after Monterey Installed
