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Repair guides and documentation for the Google Pixel 6a with 5G smartphone. Released in July 2022.

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fingerprint reader not working after screen replacement

I replaced the screen using the official ifixit screen with the integrated fingerprint reader.

after replacing the screen, the fingerprint function was not working.

if I try to enroll a new fingerprint, I get a prompt saying the phone can't use the fingerprint sensor and to take it for repair. it also included a link to "http://g.co/pixel/fingerprintunlock" which just redirects to google's docs on using the fingerprint reader.

I tried this tool: https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/ and after rebooting, I no longer get the prompt and can get to the enroll fingerprint stage, but it still fails to read my fingerprint; i get 'couldn't process fingerprint' no matter what finger or direction i press.

any assistance or insight would be appreciated.

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I used the tool an am still getting the message that the fingerprint sensor can't be used to take it for repair

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For my Pixel 7, I had install a new screen THREE times, and it never did work. I'm fairly certain it is a software issue that can only be fixed by Google. I was able to resolve the issue only after getting my phone RMA'd by Google itself. So, my advice : do this sooner rather than later!!

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My tech guy sent me a link with instructions I had to download a USB driver from Google then after installing the software I had to manually restart my phone and the fingerprint sensor finally worked

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iFixit sent me a new screen and that seems to have fixed my fingerprint reader issue.

factory reset is NOT required

here is the repair procedure i followed to be able to re-use my fingerprint reader (you'll need to do this whenever you swap out a fingerprint reader):

  1. swap screens per ifixit docs
  2. power on phone to make sure it was successful
  3. boot phone into fastboot mode
  4. go to google's repair tool (https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/udfps) and run it.
  5. once the tool finishes, it reboots your phone.
  6. after initial reboot, reboot again.
  7. you should be able to enroll/scan fingerprints as normal

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I can confirm this method works great, don't forget to install Google USB drivers so you can connect your phone to your pc otherwise it does not work.

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Hi there

The calibration tool worked successfully and I rebooted it manually after the initial reboot. The fingerprint sensor still does not work. Any help?

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The calibration tool appears to no longer install with the latest Pixel version updates (mine = December 2022). Will get stuck with message "Couldn’t install the software". Some suggest the calibration software on the phone claims to be newer — confusingly, the online tool seems the only way to run it though, which doesn't work.

So as of now the replaced fingerprint readers are useless until Google provides a fix.

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I replaced my screen and the FP sensor wasn't working. I didn't replace the screen/sensor again, but rather just followed these steps and it works great now!

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Esta app nao é para o Pixel? Ou pode ser usada em qualquer smartphone? Foi a unica coisa que ainda nao experimentei

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It won't work if you had updated your Pixel to the latest software. Says that the version on the phone is newer.

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That's right. I have that problem now. My Pixel is running in Android 13 and i can't use the tool to calibrate the sensor. It just didn't recognize it.

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Has anyone come up with a fix on this? running into the same issue

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same issue tired running the repair on fastboot mode and said the existing version is old

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Google has a repair online for it. You have to connect your phone to your pc and follow the instructions. Have a google, it’s not hard to find.

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is it the tool i described in the original post? https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/

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@thunderstorm00 I just looked and yes it is. I also read you need to factory reset your device after using the tool. Don’t take my word for it. I’ve calibrated one before and if I remember rightly I shut down the phone completely then turned it back on and the sensor started working. Try it before the restore option, back it up first if you have to.

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The process described above worked perfectly for me using my Macbook Air.

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I found the google repair page to have incorrect information. The step that says you have to start Fast Boot and select Rescue Mode caused the tool to not recognize my phone. This stopped when I tried the same step by just starting Fast Boot and not selecting any other option during that step. It then installed the correct software and calibrated my fingerprint scanner. Took a few reboots of my phone after that as well.

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If you're having problems with the Google tool not recognizing your Pixel in Fast Boot Mode, this is what I found. I just did the install of the new screen/fingerprint reader (Pixel 6a) and found the above steps no longer work with Android 14 on Windows 11. I ended up taking it to the recommended Google Authorized Repair shop and the tech told me that it only works on a MacBook or iMac computer, which we both agreed makes no sense at all. However, he showed me and it worked exactly as it should. If you find this is your issue, follow the below amended steps. If you don't have a MacBook/iMac or access to one, try hitting up an Apple repair store or maybe even Best Buy. All you have to do is put your phone in Fast Boot Mode, connect via wire, and start the tool. Takes 3 minutes.

  1. Swap screens per ifixit docs
  2. Power on phone to make sure it was successful
  3. Power off phone
  4. Boot phone into Fast Boot mode (to do this, hold Power button and Vol down for 3 seconds)
  5. Go to google's repair tool (https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/udfps) and follow steps to run it.
  6. NOTE: If your Pixel is not showing up in the device list, you have to do it from a MacBook or iMac
  7. Once the tool finishes, it reboots your phone.
  8. After initial reboot, reboot again.
  9. You should be able to enroll/scan fingerprints as normal

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Installing the Google USB driver solved the connect issue on Windows 10.

No problem whatsoever to follow the steps and get the FP sensor working after a screen replacement on Pixel 7 pro.

I did have to downgrade from Android 15 Beta to 14.

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Completed all the steps but still fingerprint not setting up

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