Touch ID stopped working on MacBook Pro 2016 (four thunderbolts, three ports)

1. Start up your Mac or Restart your Mac while holding down Command - R (⌘ + R).
2. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo. Your Mac should now enter Recovery mode.
3. Click Utilities in the Menu bar.
4. Click Terminal.
5. Type xartutil --erase-all in the Terminal.
6. Press the Return key on your keyboard.
7. Type yes.
8. Click the Apple in the Menu bar.
9. Click Restart to reboot your computer.

You should now be able to add fingerprints to Touch ID on your Mac.

pachis wrote:

Leroy, but why did it work for a few hours? Is this still related to a hardware issue?

I don't get it.

Thanks!

?

How would I know...why(?)

Over all the years I have never seen the various Terminal commands for TouchID to work.. sorry.

On the Intel Mac you can try again as instructed above for SMC & NVRAM

The T2 Controller has been known to have issue.

If deleting all Finger prints, resetting SMC & NVRAM and try again— no harm there.

Please read the documentations:

https://support.apple.com/guidhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232

—If your issue does not resolve, I advise you to visit the Apple Store—they can test the Mac for hardware issue.

In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"—

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Outside the USA

https://locate.apple.com/country

From iOS device using the "Apple Support.app” to make a online Genius Bar appointment is easy: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-support/id1130498044?mt=8

Check your coverage

https://support.apple.com/my-support

You can always Call Customer Support  (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line  https://getsupport.apple.com/

or call  AppleCare Support at 1-800-APLCARE (800-275-2273)

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232

I will add—

There are a few instances where Touch ID will not be accepted by macOS:

• If you restarted your Mac, or if you're not logged into your user account.
• If you have not unlocked your Mac for 48 hours.
• If you are trying to unlock Security & Privacy
• If you are  trying to unlock Users & Groups Preferences (when FileVault is on)
• If 5 wrong fingerprint attempts

.

pachis wrote:

When trying to set up the touch ID it says I have reached the fingerprint limit. I have tried resetting SMC and all the other suggested in another trail. I even reinstalled the Mac OS. I never dropped the macbook nor spilled liquid in it. Is there anything else anyone can suggest to try to fix it before i bring it the the macstore? It was working fine until I decided I wanted to add a new fingerprint. Then I started to get the message about Fingerprint limit reached, and that was that, it stopped working.

I will greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Monterey 12.1

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.1

If this is an Intel Mac... (?)

Do both reset the SMC https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

and

reset NVRAM/PRAM http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

(get at least two-three rounds of the chimes when holding the NRAM Reset)

Among others this resets the T2

USB Device: Apple T2 Bus

USB Device: Apple T2 Controller

There is no T2 chip in an M1 Mac—(does not apply to the SoC M1 Macs, there is no system management controller in the M1 Macs)

pachis wrote:

Resetting the NVRAM following these directions by LeroyDouglas, I had already reset the SMC, so I proceded to reset the NVRAM/PRAM holding the keys indicated by LeroyDouglas until i got the chime. Then, voila!

THANKS AGAIN, these solved my problem:"

"Do both reset the SMC https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

and

reset NVRAM/PRAM http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

(get at least two-three rounds of the chimes when holding the NRAM Reset)

Among others this resets the T2

USB Device: Apple T2 Bus

USB Device: Apple T2 Controller

There is no T2 chip in an M1 Mac—(does not apply to the SoC M1 Macs, there is no system management controller in the M1 Macs)"

Thanks for the clarification. Much appreciated.

A word of caution—

I would advise the terminal command as posted above as a follow up— is not advised and is known to brick some Mac's if attempted ! This is not good in the public forum.

it does not appear in the man page either BASH or ZSH

pachis wrote:

THANK YOU SO MUCH! It worked! You saved me, I was going crazy about this issue and had been dealing with it for months. You are a life saver. Honestly, THANKS I wish good things come to you, meanwhile I will follow my motto of paying it forward, helping others whenever I can.

Blessings. (I'm not religious or anything) THANKS!!

It is unclear which post and instructions solved the issue...? which would be good to know—can you clarify...

Typically this indicates a hardware issue if SMC and NVRAM do not resolve the issue.