IPhone 11 touch screen not working after screen replacement

Is your Touch ID not working after screen replacement? This usually happens to iPhones 6/6s/7 and 8 because newer models already have face recognition.

If you encounter this problem, find out what caused the issue to determine the best solution.

If the Touch ID fails after you replace the screen, one very possible reason is the screen change took place without powering off the phone. This happens a lot. If you encounter the same issue, restart your phone again. The Touch ID function should work again after that.

If you tried setting up Touch ID on your iPhone, but it does not let you complete the setup don’t worry!

The following part lists the causes of Touch ID not working after replacing the screen and the solutions to the issue.

For Touch ID to work, you need to make sure of certain things. If one thing is off, you will be facing problems.

Here are the most common reasons why your Touch ID is not working after you replaced the screen.

Dirty Finger and Fingerprint Reader

After replacing the screen, make sure your hands are clean. Sometimes, even a tiny bit of sweat or dirt can make it hard for your device to read your fingerprint.

Incorrect Placing of your Finger

If you scan your fingers improperly, the Touch ID of your iPhone will also fail to recognize print.

Outdated Firmware

There might be a bug or other problem with Apple’s Touch ID that can be solved with an update.

Malfunctioning Touch ID Sensor

If the Touch ID sensor stops working after screen replacement, it may be due to the incompatible third-party accessories used to replace the components or a broken Home Button Flex Cable.

Error in the iOS System

iOS system errors can also cause your Touch ID to malfunction after screen replacement, but you can quickly solve this with a hard reset.

If you recently serviced your device, check for damages. A damaged flex cable or connector may cause the Apple Touch ID not working after screen replacement.  

How to Fix Touch ID Not Working After Screen Replacement

Failure in Touch ID after screen replacement manifests in three ways: can’t unlock the device using fingerprint, can’t enroll a fingerprint, or passcode is required.

When this happens, Complete the steps below, try Touch ID again, and see if any methods work.  

Solution #1: Restart Your iPhone

When you encounter a malfunction, the first thing you need to do is restart your Apple device. It is easier to restart your iPhone than to force-restart it.

But, both can fix most issues. How you restart and force restart an iOS device depends on the model.

If you have iPhone 8/7/6s/ SE 2nd generation, here’s what you should do to restart your device.

1. Long press the side button until you see the Power Off slider.
2. Drag the slider to turn off your iOS device.
3. Wait for a while.
4. Long press the side button again to turn on your device.

For iPhone 5/SE 1st generation and earlier, you can simply long press the top button until your device shuts off and press it again to turn it back on.

Solution #2: Perform a Hard Reset

The Touch ID problem could be temporary and can be fixed by a simple hard reset.

If you have an iPhone 8 or 8 plus, here’s what you should do:

1. Long press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Hold the Power button until the device is turned on.

For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus users, long-press the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo.

Solution #3: Make Sure the Fingerprint Reader is Clean

The most straightforward reason for a malfunctioning Touch ID after screen replacement is a dirty fingerprint reader.

Dust, sand, and grease can throw off the reading of your fingerprint sensor. Apple recommends you use a lint-free cloth to wipe off any dirt or debris.

1. Remove your phone case if you have one.
2. Get a damp, lint-free cloth.
3. Clean in a circular motion around the edge of the Home button for about 15 seconds.
4. Do it in reverse to clear out as much grime as possible.

Note: Do not place much pressure on your device when cleaning it.

Solution #4: Disable and Enable Touch ID Settings

If the previous steps did not work, try to disable and enable your Touch ID settings. This will renew settings and fix the malfunction if there is no serious underlying issue.

Here’s how you can disable and enable your Touch ID settings:

1. Go to Settings and select Touch ID & Passcode.
2. Toggle all the options under Use Touch ID.
3. Restart your Apple device to implement the changes in your settings. 

To unlock your Apple device through Touch ID, you need to make sure that iPhone Unlock is ON.

You also need to enable iTunes and App Store to use your fingerprint to download music and apps.

Solution #5: Delete Fingerprint and Set Up Again

If your Touch ID is still not working, you may need to try enrolling a different finger. To do this, delete your previous fingerprint and set up Touch ID again.

1. Open the Settings menu and tap Touch ID & Passcode.
2. Enter your passcode to enter the Touch ID Settings menu.
3. Scroll down to Fingerprints and slide left to show the Delete option.
4. Confirm the removal and repeat to delete other fingerprints.

To set up again, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode. Tap Add a fingerprint. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Note: Using Touch ID and a passcode is essential. Make sure to set up a new one to secure your device and keep it from prying eyes.  

Solution #6: Check For Updates

If the previous steps didn’t help, update your device. You can do it wirelessly or via iTunes.

There may be bugs or issues with the Touch ID that Apple already resolved with an update.

1. Plug in your device and connect to the Internet.
2. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Click Install Now.

If you see Download and Install, tap it to download the update. Enter your passcode, then tap Install Now.

If you see an alert message notifying you to update your iPhone, tap Install Now to update immediately.

You can also choose Install Tonight or Remind Me Later. Just plug in your device, and it will update overnight.

Read Next: Why is T-Mobile Visual Voicemail Not Working?

Last Thoughts

If your Touch ID stops working after replacing the screen, restart your phone. Press and hold the Volume Up or Down button and the Side button until you see the power off slider. Drag the slider and wait for your device to shut off.

Turn it back on by pressing and holding the Power button until you see the Apple logo.

Thus, when you have a Touch ID not working after screen replacement issue, this blog lists what causes the problem and how you can fix it.

If you are still experiencing problems after trying the listed solutions, contact Apple about a possible repair.

If you think this post is helpful but you have other difficulties with another iOS setup, our blog can help.

Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.

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