If your Redmi Note 13 Pro's fingerprint scanner has suddenly stopped recognizing you, it's a major roadblock. The good news is this is usually a software hiccup you can fix yourself. Let's get it working again.
Clean the Sensor and Your Finger
Start with the simplest fix. The optical under-display sensor on your Redmi Note 13 Pro needs a clean surface to see your fingerprint clearly. Gently wipe the screen over the sensor area (lower third of the display) with a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
Also, make sure your finger is clean and dry. Moisture, lotion, grease, or even minor cuts can completely throw off the reading. I'd give this a try before anything else, as it solves the issue more often than you'd think.
Restart Your Phone
A quick reboot can clear out temporary glitches that might be affecting the sensor software. Just press and hold the power button, then tap "Restart" on the screen.
If the touchscreen is unresponsive, you can force a restart by holding the power button down for about 15 seconds until you feel the phone vibrate and the screen turns back on. Test the fingerprint reader right after it boots up.
Re-register Your Fingerprint
If a simple restart didn't help, the next step is to delete your old fingerprint and add it again. Over time, the way you place your finger can drift, or the stored data can get a little corrupted.
Go to Settings > Password & security > Fingerprint unlock. You'll need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password to proceed. Tap on the fingerprint that's giving you trouble and select "Delete".
Now, tap "Add fingerprint" and follow the prompts. Press your finger down lightly and lift it repeatedly, making sure to cover the edges and tip of your finger as the animation guides you. Take your time with this process for a better scan.
Check for a Software Update
Xiaomi regularly releases MIUI updates that can include fixes for sensor performance and other bugs. An outdated system could be the culprit.
Head to Settings > About phone > MIUI version. Tap the "Check for updates" button. If an update is available, install it. Your phone will restart, and you should test the fingerprint sensor immediately after.
Inspect Your Screen Protector
This is a very common issue with under-display sensors. A thick, low-quality, or poorly aligned tempered glass screen protector can block the sensor's light, making it unreliable or completely useless.
Try removing the screen protector temporarily and see if the fingerprint reader starts working perfectly. If it does, you'll need a replacement protector that's specifically marketed as compatible with fingerprint sensors. Some brands even include a special "fingerprint mode" you can enable in settings after application.
Increase Touch Sensitivity
MIUI has a setting to boost touch sensitivity for use with screen protectors, and it can help the fingerprint sensor as well. It's worth turning this on if you're using any kind of protector.
Navigate to Settings > Additional settings > Touch sensitivity. Toggle the switch on. This won't guarantee a fix, but it improves the phone's ability to detect touches (and fingerprint scans) through thicker glass.
Clear the System Cache
Sometimes, cached system data from old updates or apps can cause conflicts. Clearing this cache is safe, it won't delete your personal data, and can resolve odd behaviors.
Turn off your phone completely. Now, press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. When the Mi Recovery screen appears (the one with the "Reboot" and "Wipe Data" options), release the buttons.
Use the volume buttons to scroll down to "Wipe cache partition" and press the power button to select it. Confirm the action, then select "Reboot" when it's done. This process takes about 30 seconds.
Check for App Conflicts in Safe Mode
A recently installed third-party app could be interfering with the phone's security services. Booting into Safe Mode temporarily disables all downloaded apps, letting you see if one is to blame.
Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears. Then, tap and hold the "Power off" option on your screen. A prompt to reboot to Safe Mode will pop up; tap "OK".
If the fingerprint scanner works perfectly in Safe Mode, you have a problematic app. Restart normally to exit Safe Mode, then try uninstalling apps you installed around the time the problem started, especially those related to security, launchers, or screen overlays.
Review Your Fingerprint Settings
There are a couple of settings in MIUI that can affect fingerprint behavior. Go to Settings > Password & security > Fingerprint unlock and make sure "Unlock with fingerprint" is enabled.
Also, check the "Fingerprint for payments" section if you use that feature. Sometimes, toggling these settings off and back on can re-establish the proper connections.
If you find the sensor is slow or requires multiple attempts, consider re-adding your fingerprint in a darker room. The optical sensor uses light, and sometimes calibrating it in different lighting can improve accuracy.
