iPhone Face ID Not Working: 6 Fixes to Try Right Now

Clean the TrueDepth camera (the small notch/island at the top of your screen). Then go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID and set it up again. That fixes most cases.

Face ID uses a TrueDepth camera system to project 30,000+ infrared dots onto your face and map it in 3D. It fails when: the camera is physically blocked or dirty, iOS has a bug with the Face ID database, or the face data needs to be updated (you changed significantly — glasses, beard, mask). Rarely is it actual hardware failure.

The TrueDepth camera (housed in the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro and later, or the notch on older models) needs a clear line of sight. Oil, smudges, and screen protectors that cover the camera area all interfere with Face ID. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently clean the top of your screen. Also make sure you're not accidentally covering it with your hand when unlocking.

Thick or poorly positioned screen protectors can block the infrared sensors even if the visible camera appears unobstructed. If you recently installed a screen protector and Face ID stopped working, that's likely your culprit. Try temporarily removing it to test.

Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Set Up an Alternate Appearance. This is the official Apple way to improve Face ID recognition if you look significantly different than when you enrolled (new glasses, major hair changes, facial hair). Scan yourself a second time with your current look.

Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID. After resetting, tap 'Set Up Face ID' and go through the enrollment process again. Hold your phone at a natural distance (25–50 cm) and slowly move your head in a circle as prompted. Do it twice — the enrollment has two scans.

A simple restart clears temporary software states that can cause Face ID to fail. After restarting, you'll need to enter your passcode once before Face ID activates — this is by design (it's a security feature called 'After First Unlock').

Settings > General > Software Update. Known Face ID bugs have been fixed in iOS point releases before. If Face ID still fails after all of the above, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings (not Erase). This resets all settings without deleting data.

If Face ID shows 'Face ID is Not Available' in Settings (grayed out), that indicates a hardware fault — likely from a drop. This requires a repair. Check if your device has any active [Apple recalls](/guides/apple-recall) that might cover repair costs, and review [what to do if your device is recalled](/guides/what-to-do-during-a-product-recall).