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Touch ID on MacBook Pro 2020 spontaneously stopped working

Last Friday, the Touch ID pad on my MacBook Pro 2020 spontaneously stopped working consistently. The pad is clean and dry. My MacBook is in impeccable condition for one that is almost three years old, and all of the keys, including the touchpad, are intact. Here's what I've done so far to attempt to solve the problem:


  1. Rebooted twice. No help.
  2. Installed the latest MacOS (MacOS Ventura v13.2). No help.
  3. Deleted my old Touch ID fingerprint and added a new one. The touchpad was a bit finicky and it took a long time, but it did eventually allow me to add the new fingerprint. But if I open an application that uses Touch ID for login, my fingerprint is not recognized. Nothing happens. It's as if the touchpad has just died or is not communicating with the MacBook. I'm at a loss.


Any other suggestions?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jan 23, 2023 5:22 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jan 23, 2023 5:49 PM

sarahinwestchester wrote:

1. Last Friday, the Touch ID pad on my MacBook Pro 2020 spontaneously stopped working consistently. The pad is clean and dry. My MacBook is in impeccable condition for one that is almost three years old, and all of the keys, including the touchpad, are intact. Here's what I've done so far to attempt to solve the problem:

Rebooted twice. No help.
2. Installed the latest MacOS (MacOS Ventura v13.2). No help.
3. Deleted my old Touch ID fingerprint and added a new one.

The touchpad was a bit finicky and it took a long time, but it did eventually allow me to add the new fingerprint.

But if I open an application that uses Touch ID for login, my fingerprint is not recognized. Nothing happens. It's as if the touchpad has just died or is not communicating with the MacBook. I'm at a loss.

Any other suggestions?


hmmm...


There are a few instances where Touch ID will not be accepted by macOS:


• If you restarted your Mac, or if you're not logged into your user account.

• If you have not unlocked your Mac for 48 hours.

• If you are trying to unlock Security & Privacy

• If you are trying to unlock Users & Groups Preferences (when FileVault is on)

• If 5 wrong fingerprint attempts



Use Touch ID on Mac

Use Touch ID on Mac - Apple Support


"If you have problems with Touch ID"

If Touch ID isn't working on your Mac - Apple Support



On an Intel Mac you can try both—


resetting the SMC Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support see the details.

resetting NVRAM/PRAM Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support


If no resolve—


In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support





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1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Jan 23, 2023 5:49 PM in response to sarahinwestchester

sarahinwestchester wrote:

1. Last Friday, the Touch ID pad on my MacBook Pro 2020 spontaneously stopped working consistently. The pad is clean and dry. My MacBook is in impeccable condition for one that is almost three years old, and all of the keys, including the touchpad, are intact. Here's what I've done so far to attempt to solve the problem:

Rebooted twice. No help.
2. Installed the latest MacOS (MacOS Ventura v13.2). No help.
3. Deleted my old Touch ID fingerprint and added a new one.

The touchpad was a bit finicky and it took a long time, but it did eventually allow me to add the new fingerprint.

But if I open an application that uses Touch ID for login, my fingerprint is not recognized. Nothing happens. It's as if the touchpad has just died or is not communicating with the MacBook. I'm at a loss.

Any other suggestions?


hmmm...


There are a few instances where Touch ID will not be accepted by macOS:


• If you restarted your Mac, or if you're not logged into your user account.

• If you have not unlocked your Mac for 48 hours.

• If you are trying to unlock Security & Privacy

• If you are trying to unlock Users & Groups Preferences (when FileVault is on)

• If 5 wrong fingerprint attempts



Use Touch ID on Mac

Use Touch ID on Mac - Apple Support


"If you have problems with Touch ID"

If Touch ID isn't working on your Mac - Apple Support



On an Intel Mac you can try both—


resetting the SMC Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support see the details.

resetting NVRAM/PRAM Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support


If no resolve—


In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support





Touch ID on MacBook Pro 2020 spontaneously stopped working

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