If your OnePlus 13 Pro's fingerprint scanner suddenly stops recognizing you, it can lock you out of your phone and apps. The good news is that it's usually a quick software or setup issue you can fix yourself. Let's get it working again.
Clean the Screen and Your Finger
This is the most common fix. The under-display optical sensor needs a clean surface. Gently wipe the screen where the fingerprint icon appears with a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
Also, make sure your finger is clean and dry. Moisture, lotion, grease, or even minor cuts can prevent a good read. I'd start with this simple step before trying anything more involved.
Restart Your OnePlus 13 Pro
A quick reboot clears out temporary software glitches that can confuse the sensor. Just press and hold the power button, then tap 'Restart'.
If the phone is completely unresponsive, you can force a restart. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button together for about 10 seconds until you feel a vibration and see the OnePlus logo.
Check Your Screen Protector
Not all screen protectors play nice with optical fingerprint sensors. If you recently applied a new one, especially a thick tempered glass model, it might be the culprit.
Try removing the protector temporarily to see if the scanner starts working. If it does, look for a screen protector marketed as "fingerprint-friendly" or specifically compatible with the OnePlus 13 Pro.
Re-register Your Fingerprint
Sometimes the stored print data gets corrupted. Deleting and re-adding your fingerprint often solves the problem. Go to Settings > Password & security > Fingerprint.
Enter your PIN or password, tap the fingerprint you're having trouble with, and select 'Delete'. Then, tap 'Add fingerprint' and follow the prompts. Press lightly and rotate your finger slowly to capture all the edges.
Update Your Phone's Software
Outdated software can have bugs that affect hardware like the fingerprint sensor. OnePlus regularly releases updates with fixes.
Go to Settings > About device > OxygenOS version and tap on the icon at the top right to check for updates. If one is available, install it and restart your phone.
Improve Your Fingerprint Registration
If recognition is spotty, you might not have registered your print thoroughly. You can add the same finger multiple times to give the system more data.
In the fingerprint settings, just tap 'Add fingerprint' again and register the same finger, but try holding it at a slightly different angle this time. I've found that registering my thumb twice covers almost every way I naturally pick up the phone.
Check for App Interference in Safe Mode
A third-party app could be causing a conflict. Booting into Safe Mode temporarily disables all downloaded apps. Press and hold the power button, then tap and hold the 'Power off' icon on your screen until you see the Safe Mode prompt.
If the fingerprint scanner works perfectly in Safe Mode, a recently installed app is likely the issue. You'll need to uninstall apps one by one to find the culprit.
Clear the System Cache
Corrupted cache files can cause all sorts of glitches. Clearing them won't delete your personal data. First, power off your OnePlus 13 Pro completely.
Then, press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons together. When you feel a vibration, release the Power button but keep holding Volume Up until you see the recovery menu. Use the volume keys to highlight 'Wipe data and cache' and press the power button to select it.
Next, choose 'Wipe cache' and confirm. Finally, select 'Reboot' to restart your phone normally.
Review Your Display Settings
Some display features can interfere with the sensor. Go to Settings > Display & brightness. Look for a setting called 'Screen refresh rate' and try switching it from 'High' to 'Standard' temporarily to test the scanner.
Also, check if there's a 'Touch sensitivity' or 'Screen protector mode' option and make sure it's turned on if you're using a protector.
Ensure Your Fingerprint is Unlocked For
You might have accidentally turned off fingerprint access for certain functions. In your Fingerprint settings, check that 'Unlock device' is toggled on.
Scroll down further to 'Fingerprint payment verification' and 'App lock' to make sure it's still enabled for the apps and services you use. If all else fails, you can temporarily disable fingerprint unlock here and use your PIN while you troubleshoot further.
