10 Shocking Reasons Why Your Face ID Isn't Working (And The Simple Fixes Experts Use)

The frustration is universal: You lift your iPhone to unlock it, and instead of a seamless transition to your Home Screen, you are met with the dreaded "Face ID Not Available" or "Move iPhone Higher/Lower" message. As of today, December 17, 2025, Face ID remains one of the most sophisticated biometric security systems in consumer technology, but it’s not immune to glitches. The problem is rarely a single, simple cause; it's often a complex interplay of software bugs, physical obstructions, or, in the worst-case scenario, hardware damage to the critical TrueDepth camera system.

This deep-dive guide will move beyond the basic fixes and explore the 10 most common, and often overlooked, reasons why your Face ID is failing. We’ll provide a step-by-step troubleshooting path, starting with quick software resets and escalating to the complex hardware issues that only a deep understanding of the TrueDepth system can resolve. Stop typing your Passcode and get your Face ID working again.

The TrueDepth Camera System: Your Face ID's Secret Weapon (and Weakness)

To truly understand why your Face ID is failing, you must first understand the technology it relies on: the TrueDepth camera system. This system, housed in the notch or Dynamic Island of your iPhone (iPhone X and newer models, and certain iPad Pro models), is a complex suite of sensors.

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The TrueDepth system works by projecting over 30,000 invisible infrared dots onto your face to create a precise, three-dimensional map. This map is then encrypted and stored on the device's Secure Enclave. When you attempt to unlock your phone, the system captures a new map and compares it to the stored one. If these two maps match, your device unlocks.

The sophisticated nature of this technology means that any disruption to its components—the Infrared Camera, Flood Illuminator, or the crucial Dot Projector—will cause an immediate and complete failure of Face ID. This is why a simple speck of dust can sometimes be enough to disable your security.

10 Critical Reasons Why Your Face ID Is Failing (And How to Fix Each)

The causes of Face ID failure can be categorized into three main groups: Obstruction, Software, and Hardware. Use this list to diagnose your specific problem.

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Level 1: Obstruction and User Error (The Quick Fixes)

These are the simplest and most common causes. Always check these first.

1. Your TrueDepth Camera is Dirty or Blocked: The most frequent culprit. The camera system is highly sensitive. Even a thin layer of grime, a smudged fingerprint, or a misaligned screen protector or phone case can block the invisible infrared light.
   • Fix: Use a soft, lint-free cloth (like a microfiber cloth) to gently wipe the entire notch area. Remove your screen protector or case temporarily to see if the issue resolves.
2. You’re Too Close or Too Far Away: Face ID works best at arm's length, or between 10 and 20 inches from your face. Holding the phone too close (like a selfie) or too far can prevent the system from accurately mapping your face.
   • Fix: Hold your phone at a natural reading distance and ensure your face is centered in the frame.
3. Your Face is Partially Obscured (New Accessories): While Face ID is excellent at adapting to hats, most sunglasses, and even masks (on supported devices), a new pair of glasses, a thick scarf, or even a new beard style can cause a temporary failure. Certain sunglasses are designed to block specific light wavelengths, which can interfere with the infrared Dot Projector.
   • Fix: Remove the obstructing item (sunglasses, mask, etc.) and try again. If it works, consider using the "Set Up an Alternate Appearance" feature in Face ID settings to register your new look.
4. The Phone Was Recently Restarted or Unlocked with a Passcode: For security reasons, your iPhone will require the Passcode after a restart, after five unsuccessful Face ID attempts, or if the device hasn't been unlocked for over 48 hours. This is normal behavior, not a malfunction.
   • Fix: Simply enter your Passcode as requested. Face ID will reactivate immediately afterward.

Level 2: Software Glitches and Settings Issues (The Reset Solutions)

If the physical checks fail, the problem is almost certainly a software glitch, often following a recent iOS Software Update.

5. An iOS Update Introduced a Bug: It is a common occurrence for a new iOS version (e.g., iOS 18, iOS 26 mentioned in reports) to introduce temporary bugs that disrupt Face ID functionality. This can manifest as slower recognition or repeated failures.
   • Fix: First, ensure you are on the latest iOS version by going to Settings > General > Software Update. If you are, perform a Force Restart of your iPhone. This clears temporary memory glitches without deleting data.
6. Face ID Settings are Disabled: A recent update or a glitch may have toggled one of your Face ID options off, preventing it from working for certain functions.
   • Fix: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Enter your Passcode and ensure all desired features—iPhone Unlock, iTunes & App Store, Wallet & Apple Pay, etc.—are toggled ON.
7. The Face ID Enrollment Data is Corrupted: The stored map of your face may have become corrupted, leading to constant recognition failures.
   • Fix: The most powerful software fix is to Reset Face ID. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, then tap “Reset Face ID.” Immediately re-enroll your face from scratch.
8. System-Wide Settings Conflict: A deeper conflict in your phone's configuration can sometimes interfere with core functions like Face ID.
   • Fix: Try Reset All Settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will reset Wi-Fi passwords and home screen layout, but it will NOT delete your apps, photos, or data.

Level 3: Hardware Failure (The "Face ID Not Available" Error)

If you see the persistent error message "Face ID is Not Available. Try setting up Face ID later," or "A problem was detected with the TrueDepth camera," you have likely encountered a hardware failure.

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9. Physical Damage to the TrueDepth Camera: This is the most serious issue. A hard drop or water damage can knock the delicate components of the TrueDepth system out of alignment or cause the Dot Projector to stop communicating with the Logic Board. The system is designed with a pairing to the Logic Board; if the original components are damaged, a simple camera swap won't work.
   • Fix: Unfortunately, this requires professional repair. The complexity of the repair—often involving micro-soldering the Dot Projector—means you should contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider or a highly specialized third-party repair shop.
10. An Unauthorized or Poor-Quality Screen Repair: If your screen was recently replaced by a non-Apple service, the repair technician may have damaged the delicate flex cables connecting the TrueDepth camera to the main board. This is a common cause of post-repair Face ID failure.
    • Fix: Return to the repair shop that performed the screen replacement and ask them to inspect the TrueDepth camera and its flex cables. If the damage is confirmed, only an authorized technician can correctly re-pair or replace the necessary components.

When to Seek Professional Repair for Face ID

You have exhausted all software troubleshooting options when:

• You see the permanent error: "Face ID is Not Available."
• The option to "Reset Face ID" is grayed out or unavailable in the settings.
• A Force Restart and iOS update did not resolve the issue.

In these cases, the problem is a hardware malfunction within the TrueDepth system itself. Because the TrueDepth camera and Dot Projector are cryptographically paired to the iPhone’s Secure Enclave on the Logic Board, unauthorized or simple parts replacement will not work. Your best option is to schedule an appointment with an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for an official diagnosis and repair. They have the proprietary tools necessary to correctly repair or replace the paired components, ensuring your device's security and functionality are fully restored.