Fingerprint sensor not responding on MacBook Air

Just wanted to add that the palm rest trick works for me! Without it, Touch ID works maybe 20% of the time. So far, when resting my palm like instructed: 100%

I have the same issue as the original poster. I think it is key that this issue started during a long trip (I live in California and just spent 3 weeks in England). I hope Apple will address this issue and why it happens during travel.

I have the same issue as the original poster. Just like the original poster, my Touch ID began failing during a long trip (I live in California and just spent 3 weeks in England).

I hope Apple will address this issue and why it happens during travel.

Now that sounds like a really daft solution from DaftBeast, but it actually works, thanks so much. I've been trying everything, ( rebooting, reinstalling, upgrading even kicking it) since I lost the ability to use TouchID on my Macbook Air a couple of months ago. So pleased I came across your advice to use the 'palm and finger method' to log in, but its a pity that APPLE, with all their resources, can't come up with a solution to fix the problem. I wonder if they actually have staff to read these posts? Obviously not, it would seem.

This answer above is the only thing that has worked for me as well! I do not know how you figured that out, or for what unforeseen reason that it works. But I'm thankful that is does as I use this for a Urgent Care management position and save all my passwords and use the fingerprint to login. i had been lost for two days on how to get it to work again. This was the fix.

That is absolutely crazy. It worked flawlessly. Thank you so much for sharing this. This must have to do with how TouchId works, it might need to pass some current and maybe coming in contact reduces static electricity that is messing up the sensor or something like that. Either way, you are a genius.

WOW! Doubted this remedy when I first read it ......... but it works haha .... I had wasted hrs cleaning and adding new fingerprints etc! all to no avail. So I was thinking $$$$$ .... Thank you so much for posting :)

I have the same issue on Mac pro. Touch ID instantly fails when I click add fingerprint, does not give me a Touch ID option on logins anymore. I've done every possible step I could find online, reached out to Apple, they tried a few things while sharing screens and nothing. Also reinstalled my OS & tried the palm near trackpad method, no joy. Not sure what to do anymore other than hoping someone find another fix here.

this is so weird! I called apple and to send in to analyze a 2020 MacBook Pro a payment of 650 is required. I found you work around w/ the palm and it worked! THANK YOU

Oh wow this is working! So weird but thank you for sharing!

Also, I had to use my middle finger on the sensor to reach while resting my palm!

This solution makes absolutely no sense, but it 100% works!! I am speechless lol

Also the palm thing worked for me thank you!

yeah that too worked for me.thanks buddy!

Well the palm thing worked for me too. Weird and frankly annoying that this what you have to do to get something to work the way it should. But thank you to the poster who discovered this. <3