Fix Face ID Not Working on iPhone: A Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Fix Face ID Not Working on iPhone: Comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide

You are likely frustrated because you cannot unlock your phone or verify your identity, but the issue of **face id not working on iphone** is often caused by temporary software glitches or physical obstructions rather than permanent hardware failure. Whether you are using the original iPhone X or the latest iPhone 17 released in 2026, the technology relies on the TrueDepth camera system to project infrared dots onto your face. If these sensors are dirty, covered, or the software is outdated, the authentication will fail.

This guide covers troubleshooting steps for all models, including the iPhone X through the iPhone 17 series. While newer models running iOS 19 or iOS 20 have faster processors and better recognition angles, they are still susceptible to the same environmental and software issues as older devices.

Summary

Face ID failures are typically categorized into two camps: physical obstructions or software errors. Most issues are resolved by cleaning the sensor array (the notch or Dynamic Island), restarting the device, or updating the iOS. If the phone displays a specific error stating "Face ID Is Not Available," this often indicates a hardware malfunction that may require professional repair. However, before visiting the Apple Store, you should attempt to reset your Face ID settings and ensure no screen protectors are interfering with the infrared camera.

TLDR

• Clean the Sensor: Wipe the top area of your screen (notch or Dynamic Island) with a microfiber cloth to remove oils and smudges.
• Restart: A simple restart clears temporary cache files that might be freezing the security subsystem.
• Update iOS: Ensure you are running the latest version of iOS (likely iOS 19 or higher in 2026) to patch bugs.
• Check Obstructions: Ensure your screen protector is not covering the sensors and that your sunglasses are not blocking infrared light.
• Reset Face ID: If all else fails, reset the feature in Settings and scan your face again.

Common Reasons Why Face ID Is Unavailable

The most common reasons Face ID is unavailable are environmental factors and physical obstructions. The TrueDepth camera uses thousands of invisible infrared dots to map your face, and even a small smudge of oil or a water droplet can refract this light, causing the scan to fail.

Another frequent culprit is a "hung" background process within iOS. If your phone has not been restarted in weeks, the software responsible for biometric authentication may stop responding. Additionally, physical damage from a drop can disconnect the delicate ribbon cables connecting the sensor to the motherboard. It is important to note the difference between a failed scan (shaking lock icon) and the "Face ID Is Not Available" error message; the latter usually points to a hardware disconnection or a critical system failure.

Basic Steps to Fix Face ID

To fix Face ID, you should start with the simplest physical solutions before changing your system settings.

Clean the TrueDepth Camera Area

You must ensure the sensors are completely clean. The TrueDepth camera is located in the "notch" at the top of older iPhones or within the "Dynamic Island" cutout on the iPhone 14 Pro through the iPhone 17. Wipe this area firmly with a microfiber cloth. Even invisible oils from your ear or fingers can disrupt the infrared dot projector, preventing it from reading your facial structure accurately.

Check for Obstructions Covering Your Face

You need to ensure your eyes, nose, and mouth are visible to the camera. While modern updates in 2026 allow for unlocking while wearing a mask, the system still needs to see your eyes clearly. Heavy polarized sunglasses can sometimes block the infrared light used by the scanner. If you are wearing a thick scarf or a new style of sunglasses, try removing them to see if the phone unlocks.

Restart Your iPhone

You should restart your device to clear temporary system glitches. To do this, press and hold the Volume Up and Power Button simultaneously until the "slide to power off" slider appears. After the phone turns off, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on. A restart flushes the memory and re-initializes the Face ID background processes, which often fixes the issue immediately.

Advanced Software Solutions

If cleaning and restarting did not work, you need to look at software settings and updates.

Update Your iOS

One of the most effective fixes for **face id not working on iphone after update** issues is, ironically, to update again. Apple frequently releases rapid security responses and patches. By 2026, iOS versions (such as iOS 19 or 20) are highly advanced, but bugs still happen. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. If you are on an older version of iOS, updating is often mandatory to restore full functionality to the sensors.

Check Face ID Settings

You must verify that Face ID is actually enabled for the features you are trying to use. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your PIN. Ensure that the toggles are turned ON for "iPhone Unlock," "Wallet & Apple Pay," and "Password AutoFill." You should also verify that you have the correct permissions enabled to authorise App Store purchases using your face, as this is a separate toggle that can sometimes be disabled accidentally.

Set Up an Alternate Appearance

You can improve recognition accuracy by setting up an "Alternate Appearance." This is useful if you drastically change your look, such as growing a beard, wearing heavy makeup, or wearing glasses frequently. In the Face ID settings, tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance and follow the scanning prompts. This helps the neural engine learn the variations of your face without deleting your original data.

Reset Face ID

If the phone simply refuses to recognize you, you should wipe the facial data and start over. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap Reset Face ID. This will delete the mathematical representation of your face. You will then see the option to "Set Up Face ID." Tap it and rotate your head as instructed to create a fresh map of your features.

Reset All Settings

This is a "semi-nuclear" option that reverts system configurations without deleting your personal data. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will not delete your photos, apps, or messages. However, it will forget your Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and alarm settings. This can clear deep-seated software bugs affecting the camera system.

Troubleshooting Specific iPhone Models

Different generations of the iPhone have unique hardware quirks. Identify your model below to check for specific issues.

Face ID Problems on iPhone 16 and iPhone 17

If you have **face id not working on iphone 16** or **face id not working on iphone 17**, the issue is likely not age-related wear. These devices feature the newest sensor technology. If a reset does not fix the issue, you are likely dealing with a factory defect. Since these devices are new in the context of 2026, they should be covered under the limited warranty or AppleCare+. Do not attempt to repair these yourself, as the sensors are calibrated precisely to the display assembly.

Issues on iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Series

Users experiencing **face id not working on iphone 13**, **face id not working on iphone 14**, or **face id not working on iphone 15** often face issues related to screen protectors. The iPhone 14 Pro and newer models utilize the Dynamic Island, which integrates the camera into the active display area. Thick glass screen protectors that do not have a cutout for the Dynamic Island can cause refraction issues, leading to unlock failures. Ensure your screen protector is high quality and designed specifically for your model.

Troubleshooting iPhone X, 11, and 12

For **face id not working on iphone x**, **face id not working on iphone 11**, or **face id not working on iphone 12**, the cause is often hardware aging or past damage. These devices have been in use for many years. If the phone was ever dropped or exposed to water in the past, corrosion or loose cables might finally be causing failure. If software resets do not work, it is highly probable that the TrueDepth module has failed physically.

Hardware Failures and Repair Options

When software fixes fail, you are likely looking at a hardware failure. A clear sign of this is if your phone constantly tells you to "Move iPhone a little lower" or "Move iPhone a little higher" during the setup process, but never actually scans your face. Another test is to try taking a "Portrait Mode" selfie. If the background blur does not work on the selfie camera, the depth sensor is broken.

The TrueDepth camera is extremely sensitive to moisture. Even a quick splash or high humidity in a bathroom can damage the dot projector on older phones where the water resistance seals have degraded. Because the Face ID module is paired specifically to your motherboard for security reasons, you cannot simply swap it out with a part from another phone. You must visit Apple Support or an authorized service provider to handle the repair.

FAQ

Why does my iPhone say "Face ID Is Not Available"?

This specific error message usually indicates a hardware malfunction with the TrueDepth camera or a temperature issue. If your iPhone is extremely hot or cold, let it return to room temperature. If the message persists after a restart, the sensor may be damaged.

Can Face ID work if I am wearing sunglasses?

Yes, Face ID usually works with sunglasses. However, some polarized lenses block the infrared light the phone uses to see your eyes. If this happens, you can go to Settings and turn off "Require Attention for Face ID." This makes the phone unlock faster with glasses but lowers security slightly because it no longer requires you to look directly at the screen.

Does a cracked screen affect Face ID?

Yes, a crack in the screen can definitely break Face ID. If the crack runs across the notch or the Dynamic Island area, it refracts the infrared laser dots, distorting the map of your face. The phone will fail to unlock because the data it receives is scrambled.

Can I use Face ID while lying down?

Yes, if you have an iPhone 13 or newer (including the 14, 15, 16, and 17 models) and are running iOS 16 or later. These models support Face ID in landscape mode, allowing you to unlock the phone while holding it sideways or lying in bed. Older models like the iPhone X, 11, and 12 must be held vertically (portrait mode) to unlock.