iPhone 5s Touch ID not working while plugged in on charge, charging.

I don't think it's static electricity. For me, it seems to be dependent on what I plug the charger into. Plugging it into a power strip (I've used two) seems to cause the problem, while plugging it into the wall seems to have less of a problem: Touch ID works, but is slower. Now, the odd thing is that after switching it from my power strip to the wall for testing and then back into the power strip is that *now Touch ID works fine on the power strip*. The shuffling back and forth from power strip to outlet was on a rug, which is why I'm not sure static electricity is the cause.

EXACTLY the same thing in here!!! Did everything you said, and can reproduce the steps you told with perfection. EXACTLY the same thing. (Sometimes using other finger at the aluminum parts also doesn´t work at the first time). Leather case in here, and original lightining cable connected to PC.

PS: IPhone 6 here, 8.1.3

Bringing this back up as I found I had the same problem. It definitely has something to do with grounding the phone to your body. My 6 plus will not recognize my Touch ID if charging with a case on. Remove the case and it is fine. I tried again with the case on, put my finger on the home button and nothing until I touched the camera lense (only metal showing through my Incipio case), at whigh point it works immediately.

Well I have noticed this strange behavior and after reviewing some answers on here, I think I have it figured out. It is a grounding issue.

I am using an iPhone 6 plus in an Otterbox Defender. When not plugged in it works fine. When plugged in the Touch ID fails. Touch a piece of exposed metal like the camera area and it works fine.

Out of the case it won't fail unless you are not touching the phone metal housing somewhere.

I have a 6S and this just started happening. When I'm charging my iPhone the Touch ID doesn't work -- the home button doesn't even register that I'm touching it unless I'm clicking. Otter defender case. Using Apple cord and charger. Happens even when I'm touching exposed metal. Really irritating because taking the case off is a pain and I shouldn't have to and it was working until tonight.

My 5s was purchased in April 6 months ago ... worked just fine until I updated to iOS 8.4 .. and then I lost Fingerprint ID functions (#2 and #3 finger print consistently .. it takes a few days more and I lost #1 as well).

A restore of the iOS is no good .. and so I just decided to delete the fingerprints and then re-enter them.

Every time I am on the USB for power up, and I also connect to the iTunes for back up, sync data and update APPS .. then I lose fingerprint ID functions.

That has been going on and today I now have lost the lightening port (it is on Apple Care oh good for me) and now I am to replace the iPhone.

I went into the Apple Store on Monday but was turned away as they did not have a record of my appointment .. and I did not know I had to have a print out of the email they sent me .. or have that email confirmation in my iPhone (my ISP will not support Apple email via the iPhone).

So a 6 hour round trip drive for that was a waste of time and money I am sorry to say.

Lesson learned ... for the next appointment.

For me, I just put my thumb on the Touch ID and hold the screen at the same time. Hope it works. Always does for me.

I Have also had this problem since the 7.1.1 update, it took me a while to realise it was only when it was on charge.

I can't afford an electrician to come and test my house, i have Apple chargers, and am not paying £15-£30 for more original Apple chargers, in case it makes no difference.

The solution i found is free and works every time!

I Swipe the screen sideways, and enter my code!

I found it interesting reading the three pages of this thread, everyone has the same problem, everyone has clearly googled it, but the amount of time and money we all must waste on first world problems has tickled me, why pay an electrician to check your wiring when you can enter a pin number?

Apple must have made a fortune in secondary charger sales since that update!!

I've had the same problem with iPhone 7 plus! Saw on another site that it was outlet grounding issue! Tried different outlets in my house and it seems to be the problem. All outlets let me use Touch ID while plugged in except the one in my living room I've been using. Going to call electrician to check the ground on this outlet! Hope this helps!

Same problem with mine.. i have 5s. Any recommendation u can suggest? Was it because of the case? Have u tried changing case?

Probably its the case. Mine have a rubberized case before and now im not using it anymore. Have'nt tried using other case though like plastic case or something.