If your OnePlus 13's fingerprint scanner has suddenly stopped recognizing you, the quickest thing to try is a simple restart. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button together for about 10 seconds until the phone vibrates and reboots. This clears out any temporary software glitches that might be blocking the sensor.
Clean the Screen and Your Finger
The optical fingerprint sensor under your OnePlus 13's screen needs a clear view. Smudges, grease, or even a bit of lotion on your finger or the screen can completely block the scan. Give the screen a good wipe with a microfiber cloth, paying extra attention to the lower area where you place your thumb.
Make sure your finger is completely dry, too. A little moisture is one of the most common reasons for a failed read. I've seen this fix the issue more often than not, especially if the phone was working fine just a moment before.
Check Your Screen Protector
Not all screen protectors play nice with in-display fingerprint sensors. If you recently applied a new tempered glass or film protector, that could be the culprit. Some thicker or low-quality protectors can diffract the light from the sensor just enough to ruin the scan.
You can test this by temporarily removing the protector and re-registering your fingerprint. If it starts working, you'll need to look for a protector marketed as "fingerprint-friendly" or specifically compatible with the OnePlus 13. The official OnePlus screen protector is always a safe bet.
Re-register Your Fingerprint
Sometimes the stored fingerprint data gets corrupted. Removing the old print and adding it again is a reliable fix. Go to Settings > Password & security > Fingerprint.
Enter your PIN or password, then tap on the fingerprint you're having trouble with. Tap Delete and confirm. Now, tap Add fingerprint and follow the prompts carefully. Press lightly and rotate your finger slowly to capture the edges during enrollment.
Update Your Software
The OnePlus 13 runs OxygenOS 15, and early software builds can have bugs. OnePlus is typically quick to push updates that address these kinds of sensor issues. Go to Settings > About device > OxygenOS version and tap on the icon at the top right to check for updates.
If an update is available, install it. It's a good practice to keep your phone updated anyway, as it can prevent a host of other minor glitches reported in initial reviews.
Boot Into Safe Mode
If the fingerprint sensor works in Safe Mode, then a third-party app you installed is likely causing a conflict. To boot into Safe Mode, press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.
Then, tap and hold the "Power off" option on your screen. You'll get a prompt to reboot to Safe Mode. Tap it. If the fingerprint works here, you'll need to uninstall recently downloaded apps one by one to find the offender.
Improve Your Scanning Technique
How you place your finger matters more than you might think. Don't just tap and instantly lift. Place the pad of your finger flat against the screen and hold it there for a full second. Make sure you're covering the entire sensor area, which is usually indicated by a glowing icon.
If you always use your thumb, try registering your index finger as a backup. Your primary finger might have minor cuts or dry skin that's changing the print pattern just enough to confuse the sensor.
Clear the System Cache
Corrupted cache files can interfere with system functions like the fingerprint sensor. Clearing them won't delete any personal data. First, power your OnePlus 13 off completely.
Now, press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons until you feel a vibration, then release the Power button while still holding Volume Down. You'll enter recovery mode. Use the volume buttons to highlight "Wipe data and cache" and press the power button to select it.
Then, choose "Wipe cache" and confirm. Once it's done, select "Reboot" to restart your phone normally.
Check for Charging Interference
This is a less common one, but it can happen. If you're using a wireless charger, especially a high-power 50W OnePlus charger or a third-party Qi2 pad, try taking the phone off the charger. Electrical interference during the charging process can sometimes temporarily disrupt sensitive components like the fingerprint sensor.
The same goes for using the phone while it's plugged in with the 100W wired charger. Unplug it and see if the scanner starts responding again.
Reset All App Preferences
This resets permissions, background restrictions, and default app assignments without deleting any app data. It can resolve conflicts that might be affecting system services. Go to Settings > Apps > App management.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top right and select Reset app preferences. Confirm the action. You'll need to re-grant permissions the next time you use certain apps, but it's a non-destructive step that's worth trying.
