[Solved] Galaxy A3 2017 - fingerprint scanner almost unusable

[kevinlevrone]

Hello,

Anyone else has this problem where the fingerprint scanner barely works (almost unusable) ? I tried many ways to enter the fingerprints but it registers like 1 in 10 tries...

Edit 2: Best solution here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72875604&postcount=18

If that does not solve the issue, also try this:

Edit: solution at https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71964623&postcount=10

 

[umbrokhan]

Hello,

Anyone else has this problem where the fingerprint scanner barely works (almost unusable) ? I tried many ways to enter the fingerprints but it registers like 1 in 10 tries...

same here. Samsung makes the worst finger print scanners.
thinking of 4 scan for same finger see if that helps.

Huawei makes the best finger print scanners

 

[Chris.nl]

Hello,

Anyone else has this problem where the fingerprint scanner barely works (almost unusable) ? I tried many ways to enter the fingerprints but it registers like 1 in 10 tries...

That is not normal, my A5 works 9 in 10 on the first try.

 

[Juampo-CHILE]

Not a single error in my A3

 

[copernic75]

Mine is totally unusable... any idea?

 

[kevinlevrone]

Well, it seems that I'm not the only one with this problem. Hopefully it can be fixed with an update.

I have to say that my thumb skin is a bit damaged (from doing work on cars, around the house, etc.) but this was never a problem with my S7 Edge. I tried a different finger with healthy skin and it does work a lot better, but still not 100%, it seems to me that the A3 sensor has real issues.

 

[merlin.berlin]

same Problem with my girlfriends A3.
Fingerprint scannner works in 1 of 4 times if youre lucky sometimes doesn't work at all.
She has already made 3 scans with 1 finger but didn't really help

 

[Chris.nl]

Maybe send it back for warrenty repairs if a factory reset won't work'? I'm sorry but fingerprint sensor should work fine.

 

[kevinlevrone]

Maybe send it back for warrenty repairs if a factory reset won't work'? I'm sorry but fingerprint sensor should work fine.

To be honest, I don't think this is solvable via warranty work. I am not sending my almost new phone back just to receive a refurbished piece of thrash. I am putting my faith into a firmware update. The funny thing is, I really like the phone even with this problem, it is very fluid and has even better battery life than the S7 Edge.

 

[kevinlevrone]

So here is a workaround I have found, for those having the issue:

- Instead of using the tip of the finger when adding your fingerprint, use the area just below the tip. In the attached picture, use the area marked with green instead of the one marked with red. It will then work 100%, it's amazing how fast and accurate it is. It's just not very smart like the S7/S8 and other phones and it probably has issues when the skin is not 100% perfect or maybe with pronounced geometric distortions like it is the case when using the finger tip.

 

[intlrc]

Hi folks, a workaround for me was disabling the keep screen turned off, became much more accurate after that

 

[LyudmilT]

I've got similar problem with always on display. When I turned it off everithyng is fine

 

[Wedgelol]

I am having similar issues with my phone. I have tried using all three stored fingerprints as just my thumb and I still have trouble getting it to unlock. I do have Always On Display turned on, and I don't really want to disable it as suggested in this thread because it's an awesome feature. Samsung should be able to something as easy as a fingerprint scanner right. Hopefully this is simply a software issue that is patched

 

[rexar051]

hi guys
you lock phone with power key or with widget (like screen off)?

 

[dhnl]

After having the same problem I started turning my thumb much more (even almost fully vertical) during the scanning process. Now it works fine. DHNL

 

[Man_tzagk]

hi actually solved the problem what i did is that factory reset the phone, i schedule a weekly restart, i clean my scanner and i assigned all 3 fingerprints on to the same finger and it worked

 

[caalrovi]

Hi folks,
I am experiencing the same issue. I found some relief using a different finger. I have registered three of my fingersprints. For some weird reason only one of the three fingers works acceptably good, the other two are successful very rarely. I therefore recommend you to try with a different finger or several of them to find out which one better works for you.
Good luck !

 

[gautierT]

I can confirm there is indeed a problem with SAMSUNG A5 2017 fingerprint system. The recognition rate can be extremely low in some condition (around 10% positive, meaning almost unusable). This seems to be a software bug
Here is a turn around :
If you record your fingerprint with the screen "always on" function activated , then the recognition rate is extremely poor.
if you unactivate this function during recording process, then the rate is ok (higher than 90%), even if you reactivate the always on function after recoring session

I guess this could be solved by Samsung in the latest firmware A5 (2017) update.

Gautier T., A5 owner

 

[kevinlevrone]

I can confirm there is indeed a problem with SAMSUNG A5 2017 fingerprint system. The recognition rate can be extremely low in some condition (around 10% positive, meaning almost unusable). This seems to be a software bug
Here is a turn around :
If you record your fingerprint with the screen "always on" function activated , then the recognition rate is extremely poor.
if you unactivate this function during recording process, then the rate is ok (higher than 90%), even if you reactivate the always on function after recoring session

I guess this could be solved by Samsung in the latest firmware A5 (2017) update.

Gautier T., A5 owner

The trick seems to be working, thanks !!

 

[MaDaLiNoSt]

Hello,

Anyone else has this problem where the fingerprint scanner barely works (almost unusable) ? I tried many ways to enter the fingerprints but it registers like 1 in 10 tries...

Edit 2: Best solution here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72875604&postcount=18

If that does not solve the issue, also try this:

Edit: solution at https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71964623&postcount=10

updating to nougat fixes this.
you won.t need the workaround with AOD like on marshmallow