Touch ID not working properly after OS update

Updated to Sonoma 14.5 today. Touch stopped working on my MacBook Pro Max M3. Tried deleting the print, but then it just didn't work. Ran diagnostics (Shut down. Press (ie, click down) and hold touch till computer starts and options shows...then hold down Command-D). Said I had a possible power port problem.

So...while just trying again, I got a bit of a print. Turns out I have to touch the frame with one finger while also touching the touch button for it to work. So there must be some power-leak issue. Note I need to do this both while plugged in or on battery. So I guess for the time being, I'm stuck having to do the Vulcan neck pinch every time I need to use touch.

Mine also is not working since the update any longer, everything that used to ask for Touch ID will only work with my password.

I have tried that option and now my fingerprint is deleted and it won't let me to re register and all after the latest update mcOS 14.5. annoying as I thought is only me having Touch ID problems

I am in the same situation with my MacBook Pro with M1Pro2021. After Sonoma update, or after installing VPN, the touch id stopped working. It's not registering any fingerprints. The button itself is working, meaning I can shutdown the laptop by pressing it. Touch ID wise, it's dead.

I tried reinstalling the system, I tried changing the touch ID button, nothing worked. I did hardware check and I got no errors. I think there is some sort of core software problem, but I am not willing to put any more time and effort into solving this problem.

The computer broke after 1 year and 3 months of utilization. This is 3 months after warranty expired. The computer costs about 2300 euros. Until now I paid an extra 200 euros for fixing it, with no results. How can someone call this quality? I have products from unknown brands that are more trustworthy than apple. Actually, I do not remember to own a product that broke down after 1 year :))

In conclusion, AWFUL experience with my own worked money. This is my first and 100% my LAST product I will buy from APPLE.

Ah, and one more thing. In my country, all the authorized Apple services have awful reviews. A lot of customers are paying big amounts of money and are waiting weeks for their devices to get fixed, and sometimes, they receive the products worse then they were sent to the service.

tomaiulian wrote:

...the touch id stopped working. It's not registering any fingerprints. The button itself is working, meaning I can shutdown the laptop by pressing it. Touch ID wise, it's dead.

The TouchID has two parts. One is the traditional physical key switch for basic function to power on/off the laptop. It also includes the new fingerprint recognition circuitry which is much more complex and requires the use of the security enclave chip. The security enclave chip can become corrupt which requires the 2018+ Macs to have a DFU firmware Revive performed. Otherwise we are unfortunately limited to this Apple article and expensive Apple repairs:

If Touch ID isn't working on your Mac - Apple Support

I tried reinstalling the system, I tried changing the touch ID button, nothing worked.

Was the TouchID replaced by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider? If not, then you have permanently lost fingerprint recognition with this laptop since the TouchID must be paired with the Logic Board in order for fingerprint recognition to work.

The TouchID button is just one part of the equation.....the Logic Board is the other part since it contains the security enclave chip which is at the heart of everything and is like another computer inside your laptop which is dedicated to the new security features for both the hardware & software. Both parts must be functional & paired for fingerprint recognition to work.

tomaiulian wrote:

I tried reinstalling the system,

Was this a clean install? A clean install is when you first erase the disk followed by reinstalling macOS. Then testing the laptop to make sure it is functioning correctly before you do any of the following since all of the following can affect how macOS operates....you need to test the OS in a pristine form to confirm a hardware issue (or possibly a macOS bug if you can test an older & newer version of macOS):

• • • Restore from a backup
    • Install any third party software
    • Before signing into your AppleID/iCloud

In conclusion, AWFUL experience with my own worked money. This is my first and 100% my LAST product I will buy from APPLE.

Ah, and one more thing. In my country, all the authorized Apple services have awful reviews. A lot of customers are paying big amounts of money and are waiting weeks for their devices to get fixed, and sometimes, they receive the products worse then they were sent to the service.

Understandable. Apple's current line of computers are being made more & more like an iPad, but without an integrated touchscreen. I know that at least with the T2 security chip of the 2018-2020 Intel models that there are some bugs with the security enclave implementation since I have personally encountered them while supporting my organization's Macs.

I suggest you contact Apple corporate to let them know about your experience and dissatisfaction.

Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

Run the Apple Diagnostics to see if any hardware issues are detected. If it reports an issue with TouchID, then you have a hardware issue which will need to be repaired.

For computers using a T2 security chip or M-series CPU, then you could try a DFU firmware Revive to reset the T2 chip (Intel Mac 2018-2020) or security enclave firmware (M-series Mac) & the system firmware (Intel & M-series). While a "Revive" should not affect any data on the internal SSD, it is advisable to make sure you have a current backup first just in case something goes wrong.

Keep in mind that using the fingerprint recognition in place of typing a password is only available for some items and may not be available at all times. For example, a password is required after rebooting the computer and usually about once a week to log back into the system if the computer has not been rebooted.

Here is an Apple article with information about TouchID including mention that wet skin from liquids or lotions can cause fingerprints not to be recognized:

Use Touch ID on Mac - Apple Support

See the last section of this Apple article for times when a password must be used. That section also has a link to another article for troubleshooting TouchID issues.

Try booting into Safe Mode to see if TouchID will work properly. If TouchID works while booted into Safe Mode, then it most likely means you have some third party software installed which is interfering with the normal operation of macOS.

I apologize to the other two users....I never received a notification of any updates to this thread.

To: HW Tech,

I completed the items you mentioned above. Mine is still not working. I had to go into settings and turn off all the touch ID buttons.

Anything else?

Assuming that TouchID is an option at that point and not requiring just the password, then try deleting that stored fingerprint. Reboot the computer. Re-add the fingerprint and reboot the computer again. See if this makes any difference.