Google Pixel and Pixel XL owners who updated to the much-awaited Android 7.1.2 Nougat update are probably wishing that they didn't jump the gun. After installing the software update, the smartphone owners have a new problem plaguing the device — a failing fingerprint sensor.
However, Google Pixel owners are not alone in their plight as owners of the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X are also encountering the same issue.
One would think that Google would take a lesson from the past and ensure that the Android updates being pushed out to its device are bug-free. However, it appears that the company is repeating the mistakes.
Google Pixel and Pixel XL owners have already had to bear with LTE-related issues, microphone problems, Bluetooth connectivity, and issues with the camera — which led to the smartphone's OS to crash.
The latest bug plaguing Pixel XL, Pixel, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P smartphones occurred after the owners updated their respective handset's to Android 7.1.2 Nougat. Post the update, some batches of the devices have a broken fingerprint scanner sensor.
Google Pixel And Pixel XL Fingerprint Scanner Issue
According to a thread on Google's product forum, which started on April 4, the latest Android Nougat update has affected the functioning of the Pixel XL and Pixel's fingerprint scanner.
"After updating I got the following message in red at the bottom of the screen when trying to unlock my phone with my fingerprint 'Fingerprint hardware not available.' I tried rebooting and clearing my cache with no change. I thought if I deleted my fingerprints and re-added them it might help. Instead I just get the following error when trying to add a fingerprint: 'Enrollment was not completed. Fingerprint enrollment didn't work. Try again or use a different finger,'" complained a user.
However, the issue seems to be affecting only some Google Pixel and Pixel owners as a few people shared on the thread that they did not encounter any such issue post the update.
Nexus 5X And Nexus 6P Fingerprint Scanner Problem
The same problem is affecting some owners of the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X who updates their smartphone to Android 7.1.2.
"I just updated my phone to android 7.1.2 and suddenly i see that fingerprint sensor is not working to unlock the phone. I tried with safe boot, even factory resetting didn't help," complained a Nexus 6P owner.
What Does Google Say?
The issue was acknowledged by Google and the community manager revealed that the matter was being looked into. He also encouraged users to share their experience.
"We have heard a few reports of users having issues with the fingerprint sensor after accepting the 7.1.2 OTA. If this is happening to you, can you post your experience here? I'll be reaching out to a few of you for bug reports," noted Orrin, the Pixel Community Manager.
Any Workarounds To Resolve The Issue?
Some smartphone owners shared that they even attempted to delete all the fingerprints and swapped to "None for Lock Screen." However, this workaround did not work and the Pixel imprint vanished from their Security settings. Even a factory reset is not helping resolve the issue.
Even after they have deleted all the fingerprints stored on the phone and did a hard reset, the fingerprint sensors on the affected Nexus and Pixel handsets refused to start working again.
It is not known what is causing the problem and hopefully, Google will take swift action and push out an update to resolve the issue.
