Home button/fingerprint sensor stopped working

[srikanthmk]

can we downgrade HTC u11 to first firmware
Before updating
Can this make the sensor work again?

---------- Post added at 08:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 AM ----------

Should I make factory reset from settings or in recovery mode?

The scarcity of the factory firmware indicates not to S-OFF and downgrade the factory firmware. The Dev_Check app isn't showing the "Fingerprint sensor - yes" (sadly) as shown in above screenshot, Also no diagnostic mode unlike moto phones to access the hardware and reset its configuration.

Any feasible solution would be highly appreciable. Thanks in advance.

 

[akenis]

I dont know how it started but, since last update 1.27.400.8, the fngerprint aka home button is almost dead. How does full charge and reboot helps? Does booting in safe mode helps ?

Don't know how or even if it works. I was just following some tricks from the One Plus thread where they had same problem. But after full charge in the morning, all seems good now....knock on wood.

I'm new to U11. Only ran stock for a few days and then Leedroid on 1.27 and now 1.28 base. But I guess I still have older firmware and kernel base. Perhaps that is related to the issue?

 

[akenis]

Well the last two nights mine was fixed in the morning after full charge and reboot. When it worked this am, I deleted all fingerprints and reprogrammed. Has worked all day so far.....

Was just in very light rain, bragging to my daughter (Pixel), that she can't use her phone. 5 minutes later home button gone again! That's 3 out of 4 days it's gone missing. Just rebooted recovery and wiped cache and dalvic which didn't restore any functionality. Sep 4 will one month since delivery....

---------- Post added at 04:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:57 PM ----------

Not sure if this is the full list but works for me.

To clear fingerprint/Nexus Imprint data, delete/move to backup:

/data/fpc/  # this seems to be related to inability to add/remove imprints, perhaps the hardware ID, I haven't checked the contents of global.db

For each user (e.g. 0), delete/move to backup:

/data/system/users/0/fpdata/
/data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml # You can actually rename fingerprints without problems, this file seems to just reference the hardware storage

Tried deleting fingerprint data. No luck.

---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 PM ----------

can we downgrade HTC u11 to first firmware
Before updating
Can this make the sensor work again?

---------- Post added at 08:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 AM ----------

Should I make factory reset from settings or in recovery mode?

If you do it in settings, I think it will also delete your internal SD card.

 

[akenis]

I'm flustered. I was all set up to RUU to see if it fixed my issue....but rebooted one last time and it works! Options:

1. Keep it....just a software issue that needs to be ironed out.

2. Return by September 4 for full refund

3. RUU and run stock to see if it happens again?
a. It breaks again and I miss refund opportunity
b. It works and I stay stock?

I have a new refurb 6P from battery issue (got it a week ago...and now others are getting Pixel XL as replacements!) Could use it instead of selling for $350.

What say ye?

Edit: Stopped working within a few hours. It was kind of in and out for a while and then gone completely. So I went ahead and did the RUU. Had about 14 tabs open in chrome dealing with drivers, HTC and such. The damn .exe RUU is a PITA and failed repeatedly. Slow. Eventually found the .zip version RUU for US and it blasted right through.... good as new! Except no finger print questions on set up, and no home button thereafter. So for me, pretty much confirmed hardware failure. Definitely related to moisture. Did flashing a ROM with a different base have any effect? Will never know.

I'm gonna send it back. Only question now, is do I want a replacement, or $$$$ money back. Will be interesting to see how this situation pans out for others. I don't have time to wait. Need a phone, and my 30 day period is about up....

Edit: Logcat from when things stopped working. Mostly jibberish to me. NVM... guess it got wiped on internal SD.
Edit: Found it. Emailed it to myself! https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4JF8SB-3jiqbzZJQjU4b25kNHc/view?usp=sharing

 

[mondherfredj]

The first awesome htc
And this happend
Fingerprint broken
?????

 

[akenis]

The first awesome htc
And this happend
Fingerprint broken
?????

So what are u gonna do? I already submitted for return/refund.

 

[lmbora2009]

HI, .. Lost for lost .... I bought "sunshine", restored the previous firmware and then updated to the last and ........ the fingerprint resumed working !!!!
*
To the future memory of who was in my own condition ...

 

[srikanthmk]

HI, .. Lost for lost .... I bought "sunshine", restored the previous firmware and then updated to the last and ........ the fingerprint resumed working !!!!
*
To the future memory of who was in my own condition ...

With the grace of Sunshine, I did flash to initial firmware (2PZCIMG_OCEAN_DUGL_N71_SENSE90GP_HTC_India_SEA_1.03.400.4_R3_Radio_8998-001791AE-1705081714_release_505137_signed_2_4.zip) but unfortunately I did not get Fingerprint sensor working , Also i am unable to relock the bootloader which is restricting OTA updates

Which firmware did you flash? Version ?

 

[lmbora2009]

With the grace of Sunshine, I did flash to initial firmware (2PZCIMG_OCEAN_DUGL_N71_SENSE90GP_HTC_India_SEA_1.03.400.4_R3_Radio_8998-001791AE-1705081714_release_505137_signed_2_4.zip) but unfortunately I did not get Fingerprint sensor working , Also i am unable to relock the bootloader which is restricting OTA updates

Which firmware did you flash? Version ?

Then: I leave the firmware 1.27 and then downgrade to firmware 1.13. Then, the phone automatically updated to version 1.27 and fingerprint resumed.
The bootloader must remain unlocked and the phone be in S-OFF during the downgrade.
With the restore to native 1.13 version, the phone finds and then only installs the update ....

 

[srikanthmk]

Then: I leave the firmware 1.27 and then downgrade to firmware 1.13. Then, the phone automatically updated to version 1.27 and fingerprint resumed.
The bootloader must remain unlocked and the phone be in S-OFF during the downgrade.
With the restore to native 1.13 version, the phone finds and then only installs the update ....

Thank you for the response. So now you have "Allow OEM Unlock" set to Yes ? Also the OTA update to 1.27 worked on 1.13 with Bootloader unlocked (S-ON) ?

Update: I did follow the procedure as reverted to 1.13 then it updated to 1.27 booted the OS (still bootloader unlocked), but unfortunately no Fingerprint scanner was detected Its not showing in "Diagnostic tools" (HTC help) either When did your fingerprint scanner was detected ? During boot 1.27 ? Or 1.13 itself ?

 

[lmbora2009]

Then, after updating from 1.13 to 1.27, the fingerprint did not work anymore ... so I proceeded downgrade from 1.27 to 1.13.
Back at 1.13 the fingerprint was still not detected .... then, after updating to version 1.27, as by magic, the fingerprint resumed to work ..

 

[TerlfY]

Was just in very light rain, bragging to my daughter (Pixel), that she can't use her phone. 5 minutes later home button gone again! That's 3 out of 4 days it's gone missing. Just rebooted recovery and wiped cache and dalvic which didn't restore any functionality. Sep 4 will one month since delivery....

I also happened to lose fingerprint/homebutton function after been using the phone in light rain, there was some water under my thumb when pressing it and soon after the button went not being able to scan my finger anymore and after few hours it wasn't working at all. At this point I thought it had died. I decided to wait out few days hoping it would save it self and start working again but no luck. I tried all the tricks to get the moisture out from there if there was any: rice, vacuuming and even hot air (don't do the last one as it might melt your device if not done carefully)

I also tried to boot into safe mode to see if it worked there and clear the phone cache from recovery but no luck.

I was already looking up warranty conditions and it didn't look good if the phone has been used when wet... So today I decided to try factory reset as last hope (since it's going to be done in the repair shop anyway if i return it) and i'm VERY HAPPY to announce that it freaking worked! The button returned all functionality. Factory reset has never done anything for me to repair the phone, but there's always a first time :good:

So don't count out factory reset if you are having this issue. It seems it was something software related even all the symptoms were saying it would be hardware gone bad.

 

[LVE33]

It's happened to me. Did factory reset and everything still not working. The phone is not even a week old what happened?

 

[srikanthmk]

It's happened to me. Did factory reset and everything still not working. The phone is not even a week old what happened?

Me too! I did all possible things that I could do, even bought Sunshine, installed factory firmware, then 1.13->1.27 but all went into vein My fingerprint sensor + Home button is still dead. Any way to recover would be appreciated. None of the device test apps are showing fingerprint in sensors list what to do ?

 

[LVE33]

I tried it again, after setting it all up, again, and factory reset it.
NOTHING! Still no settings and no responses from home/scanner button.
Returning for a refund. They wanted to send me a refurbished unit. Didn't even offer a discount.
I never had a problem with HTC until now.
I just don't get where the settings went? Must be from the update? Why wouldn't they come back after the factory reset? Is there something I am missing? If anyone knows how to get around that please tell me. Thanks

 

[hmaschrama]

This worked for me: turn the screen off. Doubletick the screen to wake it up. It came back alive. It finally worked again after a frustrating day.

 

[flopasnin]

SOLUTION

So I might have the solution. It happened to me as well. And it's mainly due to software issue.
All i did was factory reset the device, the fingerprint setting will probably disappear in the settings menu.
After resetting your device, boot into recovery mode and wipe cache partition.
Reboot and it will work again
Hope it helps, Peace.

 

[Pikeucf]

I'm having this same issue. Fingerprint button/home is completely inoperable. Furthermore, in settings when I tap on "fingerprint scanner" nothing happens. Occasionally it will load to blackout screen and then kick me back to home screen. I've tried clearing the cache and data, booted into safe mode and repeated the cache and data cleanse. Still not working?

Mine stopped working after I clean the screen with a wet towel. Which seems to fall in line with those that also encountered this issue after a little water. It's now been 3 days since cleaning my phone and was hoping that if it was water related something would've dried up by now, still no luck. I was under the impression that this phone was water resistant, and could withstand a drop in shallow water, which obviously worse than a wet towel.

The only comfort I'm finding is that I'm not alone. Has anyone found a solution/fix?

 

[dfedrik]

I am having similar problem. HTC U11 finger print sensor and home button stop working after I have used the home button in light rain. I have tried everything except hard reset as I am still traveling overseas. I'll hard reset this when I am home. If HTC doesn't solve this problem, this would be my last HTC phone.

 

[WhiteSmokeLester]

Me sometimes 2-3 times a week it doesn't work, i have to double tap the screen to wake up the phone. After that it works again. It could be the software i guess. Anyone experienced this?