Galaxy S7 Fingerprint not working

[AC Question]

For some reason, the fingerprint scanner has stopped working on my S7 edge.

Troubleshooting steps I've already attempted:

1) Hard reboot
2) going to application manager under "all programs" There is NO fingerprint app, which according to youtube troubleshooting videos, there should be. It is also not in the disabled list.
3) When I go to settings / lock screen / fingerprint, I get "an error has occurred with the fingerprint sensor. If this message appears repeatedly, restart your device." This appears despite rebooting.

I have the latest version of Marshmallow that ATT has pushed.

It seems that I'm somehow missing the fingerprint application that runs in the background.

Help!

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! When you say hard reboot, do you mean a factory reset?

 

[teamfortress]

I have the same issue with my Samsung S5. Searched and googled and was led to here. I tried reset to factory default but still no dice.

 

[sydneycooper1979]

It could be a hardware problem that you will have to have fixed or replaced.

 

[srkmagnus]

It's either hardware as suggested above by Sydney or software related created by another app. Perform a factory reset and when you begin setting up the device be sure that you DON'T restore the backup or restore from your account. Start fresh. Before installing any apps see if that fixes the problem and let us know.