Chosen Solution
I have this Macbook Pro 15 inch Touch-bar 2017, I swapped the top case to fix my keyboard, all features working perfect when I started (except the keyboard, that’s the reason I did it.) After I completed the task, all features function, except that my Power Button (with Touch ID) keeps saying Maximum Fingerprint Limit Reached. Things I tried: Boot into Recovery and use the Terminal to xartutil —erase-allRemoved Fingerprints from my iPhone which uses the Same Apple ID.Added new Fingerprints using my iPhone which uses the same Apple ID.Reinstalled the OS.Did not harm the Enclave or logic board to the best of my knowledge. Apple isn’t interested in replacing my logicboard for free, they identified the top-case as replaced.
Reboot your Mac into Recovery mode and use the Terminal to type in a command. Here’s how. Restart or start your Mac.While your Mac restarts, hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo appear.When it does, release the keys. Your Mac will now enter Recovery mode — you should see a macOS Utilities pane.Click on Utilities in the top menu bar.Select Terminal.Once it opens, type the following command into the terminal: xartutil –erase-allPress Enter / Return.Type yes into the terminal. Once all of that is done, you should be good. Just click the Apple icon in the top menu bar and select Restart. From here, just go back to the Touch ID pane in System Preferences and try adding new fingerprints. What if This Doesn’t Work? This should work in the vast majority of cases. But it’s worth noting that some users have had the fingerprint bug persist even after the Terminal command. If that’s the case, it’s recommended that you take your MacBook Pro into Apple or an Authorized Service Provider for diagnostics and possible repairs. There could be another issue at play. Similarly, it’s pretty likely that Apple is aware of this bug and is working on a fix that a might do away with the disconnect between macOS and the Secure Enclave. Because of that, just make sure to keep your MacBook Pro up-to-date by installing the latest macOS software updates.
this does not work for T2-equipped Macs. After the erase the SSD volume gets unmountable. To make it mountable again you’ll need to delete it and re-create. Restoring from TimeMachine returns back to the fingerprints issue.
Re-install the system from scratch is not an option I would like to follow. Too much of installation and configuration required
did you find a solution? I encountered the same problem … the xartutil —erase-all did not to the trick. :/
So, I had a similar issue and did everything that the above mentioned. I went digging into the Apple Documentation and also to an Apple Store to speak to a Genius and this is what I found: When doing a replacement/swap of the top case and/or Touch ID sensor, it needs to be logged into AST 2 as being performed by an Apple Tech or Certified Apple Repair FacilityThe reason for the above is because the Touch ID needs to be “Serialized” to the new/existing motherboard (i.e. if you kept your motherboard but got a new top case or Touch ID, only a certified repair can initialize the secure enclave within the Touch ID sensor)The power button/function will still work, but the security of the Touch ID will not work until you serialize itThe only way to “initialize/serialize” the Touch ID is by running a diagnostic/serialization via AST2AST 2 can only run the serialization if it has both the old and new serial numbers (i.e. if replacing the top case, you need the top case serial number of both top cases)Only certified techs can run the tool via the AST 2 So…that being said, if the process wasn’t done via AST 2 with a certified repair facility, chances are on T2 macs, the touch ID won’t work. This removes the function of “right to repair” as you cannot replace the sensor/button on your own without having to go to a certified facility to do the repair there.
So, in my case I clean installed macOS 4 times (once when Catalina came out and 3 times trying to fix a display issue) and finally turned it in for repair. Apple clean installed Catalina again and gave it back to me. But all the time, the fingerprint was left in the storage and so Touch ID wouldn’t work any longer. I took it back to the store and they couldn’t do anything about it but swapping the entire board. This fixed the Touch ID issue since there was a new T2 controller on that new board and also finally fixed my display issue
I opened my MBP in intention of reapply a new fresh thermal paste, I shocked that the fingerprint sensor ain’t working eventually. I’m thinking of a cable or wire isn’t in it’s place as it should be, I definitely think that so, because I find it different than the other stuff.
I’m having the same issue, but I just received a replacement MacBook Pro and restored from a backup. I tried xartutil –erase-all and that doesn’t help.
I have the same problem with a MacBook Pro 2016. I tried everything, reinstalled the OS from scratch 3 times, the terminal delete command, and reset SMC and NVRAM. Once it worked for about a day and then it stopped working again. The problem started when I tried adding a fingerprint. Took it to the MacBook service center and they said they couldn’t find the issue and that maybe it was the sensor and that the motherboard needed to be changed. That’s way too expensive, so I am sticking with the MacBook like it is, everything else works fine, it’s just that issue with not being able to use the touch id. And the message saying “Failed” or “fingerprint limit reached”. I am sure it’s a bug, because as I said it was working fine until I tried adding a fingerprint. And another time after resetting sMC and cram it worked for a day. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
