Samsung Galaxy S23 series comes with a range of advanced features, including biometric authentication methods such as face unlock and an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. While these features are designed to provide a secure and convenient way to unlock the device, some users have reported issues with the biometrics not working on their Galaxy S23.

If you are one of those users who are facing this issue, it can be frustrating and annoying at the same time, especially when you are in a and need to unlock your Galaxy S23 quickly. 

But don’t worry! This guide has all the solutions that you are looking for to fix this issue with step-by-step instructions. 

Let’s get started!

Note: Solutions in this guide will work on any Samsung Galaxy S23 model (S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra models.)

Editor’s note: We created these instructions using a Samsung Galaxy S23 running Android 13. Depending on your device’s software version, some steps and menu positions may look slightly different.

Why biometrics do not work sometimes, and you are asked to enter the password on your Galaxy S23

Before we jump into the solutions, it’s important to understand why the biometrics (fingerprint and face unlock) are not working sometimes because you will be able to solve if the same issue occurs in the future quickly.

The issue has several possible causes, including software and hardware. Some reasons are not an issue as they are designed to protect your device.

Let’s have a look at each of them:

1. Temporary glitches: 

Temporary software glitches can lead to a lot of issues, and biometrics is no exception. However, a simple reboot (soft reset) will help restore the device’s functions.

2. You have to enter the password every time you restart/update the device, and it is not a bug: 

If you notice that you have to enter the password every time you restart or update your Galaxy S23, well,  it is actually not a bug. It is a security feature to protect your device in case it’s stolen.

3. You have to enter the password when face unlocking is not used for a while: 

If you use the face lock to lock your device’s screen and haven’t used it for a while (4 hours), you will need to enter the password to unlock your device.

4. Hardware issues: 

A damaged fingerprint sensor or front sensors can lead to biometric malfunctioning. In this case, you may need to take it to a Samsung repair or service center.

5. Faulty system update: 

If you notice that the biometrics on your Galaxy S23 started to not work correctly after a system update, it can be because of the update that you have installed on your device.

6. Other software-related bugs:

Misconfigurations, caching, and other software bugs can all contribute to this issue.

How to fix biometrics not working on Samsung Galaxy S23

As we mentioned earlier, there are instances where you have to enter your password, which is a security feature designed to protect your device from unknowns. Therefore, before proceeding to apply solutions, make sure that this is really an issue and not a security feature of your device.

Fix 01: Remove the screen protector

If you have installed a screen protector and it has poor quality, it affects the performance of the under-display fingerprint scanner. If you are not sure about the quality or compatibility of your device’s screen protector, you may need to remove it to see if it fixes the issue.

To remove the screen protector from your Galaxy S23 carefully, follow these steps:

1. Power off your Galaxy S23 and remove any cables attached to it.
2. Use a plastic card and pry up the screen protector’s edges gently.
3. Then lift an edge of the screen protector and slowly peel it off from the device.
4. Use a soft cloth like microfiber to clean the screen and remove any residue the screen protector leaves.
5. Power on your device.

If the issue is resolved, it was caused by the screen protector, and you may have to purchase a new screen protector compatible with your device.

Fix 02: Setup fingerprints and face unlock correctly:

It is crucial to Setting up your fingerprints and face unlocks correctly to ensure that they work correctly to unlock your device. They may not work as expected if they are not set up correctly.

To set up fingerprints and face recognition correctly on your Samsung Galaxy S23:

1. Go to the Settings.
2. Tap on the Biometrics and Security.
3. Select the fingerprints or face recognition as you need.

4. Enter your lock screen password.
5. Tap on add new Fingerprint or Add alternative look (for face recognition) option.

5. Clean the fingerprint area and the top of the screen with a clean cloth.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your fingerprint or face unlock correctly.

During the setup process, make sure that you follow the instructions carefully. If you are adding a new fingerprint, place your finger on the screen correctly. If you are setting up face recognition, make sure that the sensor is clean and free from any residue.

Fix 03: Reset all settings

Resetting the settings on your Samsung Galaxy S23 will restore any incorrect or corrupted settings causing the biometrics to malfunction. 

To reset all settings on your Galaxy S23, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on General management.
3. Scroll down and tap on Reset.

4. Select Reset all settings.

5. Confirm.

Although this wouldn’t remove any personal data, it will reset all settings to their default values, so you may need to customize them again (not the Biometrics and security section) after resetting.

Fix 04: Update the software

As we mentioned earlier, if an update causes this problem, you cannot revert the update. However, you can do an update again on your Galaxy S23 to see if it fixes the issue.

To update the software, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Software update.
3. Then, tap on Download and install.

Your device will now check for any available software updates. If an update is available, you will get a notification, and then you can follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

Note: Updating the software may take some time, depending on the size of the update and your internet connection. Also, make sure that your device is charged or plugged in while the update installs.

Fix 05: Wipe cache partition:

The system cache is a temporary storage area on your Samsung Galaxy S23 that stores frequently accessed data to speed up its performance. 

However, this cache can sometimes become corrupted or outdated. If this is the case, wiping out the cache partition can help fix the problem by clearing all cached data.

This can be done by rebooting your device into recovery mode. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Turn off your device and plug it into the charger.
2. Press and hold the power + volume up keys at the same time until the device vibrates and boots into recovery mode.
3. Once you see the recovery menu, use the volume down key to navigate to “Wipe cache partition” and press the power button.

4. Use the volume down key to highlight “Yes” and press the power key to confirm.

5. Once the process is complete, you will see the recovery menu again. Navigate to “Reboot device now” and press the power button to restart your device.

Fix 06: Factory data reset:

If none of the above solutions have worked to fix the biometrics not working, you may have to do a factory data reset on your Galaxy S23. 

As you know, this will erase all the personal data, including contacts, messages, and apps installed from your device, so we recommend to back up your data before proceeding with this solution.

When you are ready to do a factory data reset, follow these steps:

1. Go to  Settings > General management.
2. Tap on Reset.
3. Tap on Factory data reset.

4. Review the information on the screen, and if you’re ready to proceed, tap on Reset.
5. Enter your device’s lock screen password to confirm the reset.
6. Confirm.

Fix 07: Take the device to a Samsung repair or service center:

If you are still facing biometrics not working on your Galaxy S23, you may have to check your device for hardware issues. In this case, the best thing to do is to take your device to a Samsung repair center.

Once the experts analyze your device for any hardware issues, they will let you know what to do next.

Wrapping Up

That is all about biometrics not working on Samsung Galaxy S23. We hope that this guide has helped you fix this problem on your Samsung Galaxy S23. 

If you have any questions or need help with this guide, feel free to comment below.

Have a nice day!