When biometric features stop working on your Xiaomi 15 Ultra, unlocking your phone can suddenly feel slow and frustrating. Fingerprint and face unlock issues usually come from minor setting conflicts, sensor problems, or software hiccups rather than hardware failure. The steps below focus on practical fixes that work in real situations and help restore biometric access quickly in 2025.
Why Biometrics Are Not Working on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra
- Fingerprint or face data is corrupted or outdated.
- The sensor is blocked by dirt, moisture, or a thick screen protector.
- Software bugs after a recent system update.
- Battery or performance restrictions disabling biometric services.
- Security settings interfering with biometric authentication.
1. Clean the Fingerprint Sensor and Front Camera
Biometric sensors rely on clear physical contact and unobstructed visibility. Even a small amount of dirt or oil can cause repeated scan failures.
Wipe the fingerprint sensor gently, and then clean the front camera with a soft cloth.
Lock the phone, and then try unlocking it again using biometrics.
2. Make Sure Biometrics Are Enabled
Sometimes biometrics are disabled accidentally or restricted by security settings. Checking this ensures the system is allowed to use fingerprint or face data.
Open Settings, and then tap Passwords and security.
Tap Fingerprint unlock or Face unlock, and then make sure the feature is turned on.
3. Re-Register Your Fingerprint or Face
Old or incomplete biometric data can prevent successful authentication. Re-registering creates a fresh profile that the system can recognize more accurately.
Open Settings, and then tap Passwords and security.
Tap Fingerprint unlock or Face unlock, and then delete the existing data and add it again.
4. Check Screen Protector and Case Interference
Some screen protectors reduce fingerprint accuracy, especially thicker or privacy types. Removing the obstruction helps the sensor read your fingerprint correctly.
Remove the screen protector, and then clean the display surface.
Test fingerprint unlock, and then reinstall a compatible protector if needed.
5. Disable Battery or Performance Restrictions
System optimizations may limit background services required for biometrics. Turning off restrictions ensures biometric services run properly.
Open Settings, and then tap Battery.
Tap Battery saver, and then turn it off before testing biometrics again.
6. Restart the Phone
A restart clears temporary system glitches that may affect biometric sensors. This step refreshes all background services without deleting any data.
Press and hold the Power key, and then tap Restart.
Wait for the phone to reboot, and then test fingerprint or face unlock.
7. Check for System Updates
Software bugs can cause biometric failures, especially after a partial update. Installing the latest update often includes fixes for sensor-related issues.
Open Settings, and then tap About phone.
Tap System update, and then install any available updates.
Biometric problems on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra are usually software-related and easy to fix with the right adjustments. Once the sensors are clean, settings are corrected, and the system is refreshed, fingerprint and face unlock should work smoothly again.
FAQs
Why does fingerprint unlock work sometimes but fail most of the time?
This usually happens when the fingerprint data is poorly registered or the sensor is partially blocked. Re-registering your fingerprint often solves the issue.
Can a software update break biometrics on Xiaomi phones?
Yes, temporary bugs after updates can affect biometric performance. Installing the next update or restarting the phone usually restores normal behavior.
Is face unlock less reliable in low light?
Yes. Face unlock depends on camera visibility, so low lighting conditions can reduce accuracy, especially without additional lighting.