macOS Sonoma Touch ID Not Working Troubleshoot

If your daily routine involves unlocking your Mac dozens of times, Touch ID can be a great time saver. You don’t need to enter the password every time to unlock the device. Touch ID also lets you auto-fill your saved password and make secure purchases from platforms like the App Store, iTunes, and Apple Pay. But what if Touch ID stops working on your MacBook?

Many MacBook users have complained about the Touch ID not working on macOS Sonoma. If you’re among those, no need to panic. I have several easy and effective troubleshooting methods to resolve this problem. But before that, you might want to look at the causes that could trigger issues with Touch ID on your macOS Sonoma.

Why Is Touch ID Not Working On My macOS Sonoma?

Touch ID can stop working due to various reasons. Here are the prominent ones:

• Incorrect Touch ID settings: You have to configure Touch ID settings to choose the purpose you want to use it for. If you have not configured the settings, Touch ID won’t work.
• Touch ID sensor has dust and dirt: Touch ID may be unable to recognize your finger because either the scanner or your finger is not clean. It could be the reason why Touch ID is not working on your macOS Sonoma. Ensure that both are clean before making your next try.
• Software bug: Since many macOS Sonoma users have complained about this issue, it’s likely caused by a software bug. Software conflicts can also trigger problems with the Touch ID.
• Physical damage: Physical damage can harm hardware components. If your MacBook has been dropped recently, the Touch ID component could be defective.

Now that you know what could trigger Touch ID problems on your macOS Sonoma, check out the following section to learn about the troubleshooting methods.

6 Ways to Troubleshoot macOS Sonoma Touch ID Not Working Problem

I know you’re looking to fix Touch ID problems quickly, so here are the solutions. I recommend testing them out in the order in which they are presented. Happy troubleshooting!

Solution 1: Check Your Touch ID Settings

If Touch ID is not enabled on your MacBook, it won’t work. You must ensure that the correct Touch ID options are enabled.

Even if Touch ID works for a service (unlocking the device) but not for password auto-fill or Apple Pay, you may need to change the settings.

Here are the required steps to follow:

1. Tap on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your MacBook screen and choose System Preferences.
2. Tap on Touch ID.
3. Under Use ID for, enable all the services where you want to use Touch ID.

If the essential Touch ID options were unchecked, the Touch ID should work after enabling them on your macOS Sonoma.

However, if the required Touch ID services are already enabled but are not working, I’ve more solutions for you to try.

Solution 2: Clean the Touch ID Sensor

If you don’t clean your MacBook regularly, dust and debris can accumulate on the Touch ID sensor, and it may lead to issues recognizing your fingers. Hence, it would be best if you regularly cleaned the Touch ID sensor on your MacBook.

Clean the Touch ID sensor with a lint-free cloth, which Apple recommends to prevent damage to the sensor.

After cleaning the sensor, try to check if the problem is solved. If it persists, you would want to clean your finger as well. Your fingers also attract dust, which can lead to recognition failure.

Solution 3: Restart Your MacBook

Software glitches are unexpected events that can affect various functionalities on your MacBook, including Touch ID. To ensure that it’s not causing problems with Touch ID, restart your Mac.

To restart your MacBook, tap the Apple icon in the upper-left corner and choose the Restart option.

When you try to log in to your Mac after powering it on, you must enter the password. Following that, you can use Touch ID for subsequent logins. Even when you restart or log out of your Mac, you have to enter the password before you can use Touch ID.

Solution 4: Re-Add Your Fingerprints

If you still can’t use Touch ID, probably your Mac is unable to recognize your fingerprint. You should remove your stored fingerprints and add them again.

Re-adding your fingerprints ensures that the Touch ID isn’t broken.

How to re-add your fingerprints:

Step 1: Tap the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your MacBook screen and choose System Preferences.

Step 2: Tap on Touch ID to view all Touch ID options.

Step 3: If you’ve already added the maximum number of allowed fingerprints on your Mac, you must delete one first. To do this, click on the cross icon on a fingerprint and enter your password.

Step 4: Tap on the Add Fingerprint button button to add a fingerprint.

Step 5: Enter your password for confirmation and follow the on-screen instructions to add a new fingerprint.

Step 6: Click Done to finish the process.

Check if Touch ID is working on your macOS Sonoma.

Solution 5: Update Your Mac

Your MacBook might be running an older version of macOS that can encounter bugs and glitches. If a software bug is causing issues with Touch ID on your macOS Sonoma, you must update the device.

The latest macOS update might include fixes and improvements for Touch ID.

How to update your Mac:

1. Connect your Mac to the internet.
2. Tap on the Apple icon in the upper-left corner and select System Preferences.
3. Click Software Update. If updates are available, you should see them on your screen.
4. Tap on Install Now to install available updates.

Restart your MacBook if it doesn’t automatically. Check if the Touch ID problem persists. If yes, try resetting the SMC, as mentioned in the next solution.

Solution 6: Reset the SMC

The System Management Controller (SMC) on Apple Macs controls low-level functions such as power management, battery charging, and thermal management. It is also responsible for providing power to Touch ID and communicating with it to verify the fingerprint.

If the SMC chip on your Mac is not working properly, it might not supply the required power to Touch ID, and the Touch ID sensor may not work. Or, if the SMC doesn’t manage the heat generated by the Touch ID sensor, the sensor may overheat and stop functioning.

If there’s something wrong with SMC, resetting it could resolve the problem.

How to Reset the SMC on Mac With Apple Silicon:

Resetting the SMC on Apple Silicon Macs is super simple. All you need to do it restart your Mac.

1. Connect your Mac to the charger.
2. Select the Restart option from the Apple menu.

You can also reset the SMC on Apple Silicon by powering it off and on again. Choose the Shut Down option from the Apple menu. Once it’s turned off, press the power button to turn it on.

How to Reset the SMC on a Mac With the Apple T2 Chip

Wondering how to check if your Mac has an Apple T2 chip or not? It’s a simple step. Go to this link (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208862) to find out all Macs with Apple T2 Chip.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the Control key, Option key, and Shift key together.
3. Press the hold the buttons for 7 seconds. Your Mac might turn on.
4. While holding the buttons, press and hold the power button as well. If your Mac had turned on in the last step, it should power off.
5. Keep holding all four buttons for another 7 seconds and then release them.
6. After 10-15 seconds, press the power button to turn on your Mac.

How to Reset the SMC on an Apple Desktop With the Apple T2 Chip

If you don’t have an Apple laptop but a desktop instead, use these steps to reset the SMC:

1. Shut down your Mac using the Apple menu.
2. Unplug the power cord to cut the power supply.
3. After 15 seconds, plug the power cord back in.
4. After 5 seconds, press the power button to turn on your Mac.

Conclusion

Whether you want to make secure payments, auto-fill passwords on websites, or unlock your Mac without entering the passwords again and again, Touch ID does a pretty good job. But, sometimes, it stops working, and that stresses a lot of Mac users. However, by following the right approaches mentioned in this guide, you can easily resolve the macOS Sonoma Touch ID not working problem.

However, if none of the solutions worked out in your favor, the Touch ID could be damaged. In that case, reaching out to Apple support or taking your Mac to an Apple service center should be your next step.

I hope this guide has been helpful to you. If you have any questions, write them in the comment section below. I’ll try to respond at the earliest.