You pick up your iPhone, look at it, and get nothing. Or Face ID scans, then tells you it didn’t work, and the passcode screen stares back at you again. Face ID failures are common, and most of them come from one of three places: a dirty or blocked camera area, a settings switch that got reset, or a glitch that a restart clears. Only a small share of cases need a repair, and the most overlooked cause is simply dirt or a case edge covering the sensors at the top of the screen.
Quick answer: wipe the top of the screen with a dry microfiber cloth, remove any case or screen protector that touches the sensor area, then restart the phone. If it still fails, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and confirm that iPhone Unlock is on, then reset and re-enroll Face ID. If the message “Face ID is not available” appears and stays after those steps, it’s a hardware problem and needs Apple.
Start with the symptom
The message on screen tells you a lot. Match what you’re seeing before you start.
| What you’re seeing | Most likely cause | Jump to |
|---|---|---|
| Face ID fails only in bright sun or dim rooms | Lighting, or the sensor area is dirty | Fix 1 and Fix 2 |
| Works for a while, then stops after a software update | Glitch or reset switch | Fix 2 and Fix 3 |
| Fails only when your eyes aren’t on the screen | Attention setting turned on | Fix 5 |
| “Face ID is not available” stays on screen | Possible hardware fault | Fix 8 |
| Still fails after you reset and re-enrolled | Stolen Device Protection or deeper setting | Fix 6 and Fix 7 |
Fix 1: Clean the sensor area and check the case
This is the fix that solves more cases than anything else. The Face ID hardware sits in the notch or Dynamic Island area at the top of the screen. A fingerprint of oil, a bit of dust, or a thin film from a screen protector can be enough to block the sensor.
- Turn the phone off or lock it, then wipe the top edge of the screen with a dry microfiber cloth. Avoid liquids and any cleaner with alcohol.
- Take off the case and check whether its lip sits over the front camera or sensor area.
- If you have a screen protector, check whether it has lifted or bubbled near the top edge. A damaged protector can block the sensor, so replace it if it’s the cause.
Then try Face ID again with your face centered about a foot away, in normal indoor light. A dark room or a bright window behind you can both cause repeated failures.
Fix 2: Restart the iPhone
A restart clears many short-term software glitches. Turn the phone off completely, wait about 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try Face ID. A restart costs you nothing, so it’s worth doing before you change any settings.
Fix 3: Check the Face ID switches
Apple’s updates occasionally reset Face ID feature switches, which can make Face ID look broken when only one feature is affected. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and confirm that these are on:
- iPhone Unlock, which is required to unlock the phone with your face
- iTunes & App Store, if you want Face ID to approve purchases
- Password Autofill, if you use Face ID to fill in saved passwords
If iPhone Unlock is off, turn it on, and your phone will ask you to set up Face ID again if it’s been reset.
Fix 4: Update iOS
Some updates have broken Face ID for a short time, and a later patch has fixed it. Check Settings > General > Software Update and install any available update. If you’re already on the newest version, skip this step and keep going.
Fix 5: Adjust attention settings
Face ID can require you to look at the screen. If it fails when you glance at the phone from an angle or hold it low, the attention setting may be the reason. In Settings > Face ID & Passcode, you’ll find Require Attention for Face ID. Turning it off lets Face ID work without eye contact, but it also means someone who points the phone at you could unlock it. Weigh that trade-off before you change it.
Fix 6: Reset Face ID and set it up again
If the scan keeps failing, the saved face data may be out of date. This often happens after you change your hair, start wearing glasses, or after a big change in lighting.
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
- Tap Reset Face ID.
- Tap Set Up Face ID and follow the prompts. Turn your head slowly in a circle as the phone asks, and scan in good, even light.
Some people find the first attempt doesn’t take, and a second setup works. If the phone keeps asking you to try again, do a single setup in a well-lit room and avoid sunglasses or hats during enrollment.
Fix 7: Check Stolen Device Protection
Stolen Device Protection adds a security delay to certain actions, including some Face ID changes, when the phone is away from familiar locations. If you’re trying to set up or change Face ID somewhere new, the phone may block the change. Return to a familiar location, such as home, and try again. You can review this setting in Settings > Face ID & Passcode if you need to adjust it. Apple’s overview explains which actions it guards and how the security delay works: about Stolen Device Protection for iPhone.
Fix 8: Reset all settings, then escalate
If resetting Face ID alone doesn’t help, you can reset all settings. This doesn’t erase your apps or photos, but it does reset Wi-Fi passwords, the wallpaper, and other preferences. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings, then set up Face ID again.
If you still see “Face ID is not available”, the problem is most likely physical. A bump or drop can damage the TrueDepth camera system. Apple’s guide to Face ID troubleshooting lists these steps and when to contact Apple: If Face ID isn’t working on your iPhone. Apple Support or an Apple Store can check the hardware. Third-party repairs of the TrueDepth parts can cause Face ID to stop working for good, so choose an authorized repair if you need one.
Comparison: what each fix costs you
| Fix | Time | Risk or cost | Solves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean sensor and check case (Fix 1) | 1 minute | None | Blocked sensor, dirt, film |
| Restart (Fix 2) | 1 minute | None | Short-term glitch |
| Face ID switches (Fix 3) | 2 minutes | None | Reset feature switches |
| Update iOS (Fix 4) | 15 to 30 minutes | Downloads a large update | Known bugs fixed in a patch |
| Attention setting (Fix 5) | 1 minute | Lower security if turned off | Fails when you look away |
| Reset and re-enroll (Fix 6) | 5 minutes | None | Out-of-date face data |
| Reset all settings (Fix 8) | 10 minutes plus setup | Wi-Fi and preferences reset | Stubborn settings faults |
FAQ
Why did Face ID stop working after an iOS update?
Updates can reset feature switches or introduce a short-term bug. Check the Face ID switches under Settings > Face ID & Passcode, install any newer iOS patch, and reset and re-enroll Face ID if it still fails.
Can I fix Face ID myself if it says “Face ID is not available”?
That message usually points to hardware. Try a restart and a settings reset first, but if the message stays, a repair is the realistic route. Apple Support can tell you whether the phone is covered.
Will resetting all settings delete my photos?
No. Reset All Settings clears preferences such as Wi-Fi networks and the wallpaper, but your photos and apps stay. Use it only after the simpler fixes fail.
Does a screen protector affect Face ID?
It can. A protector that covers the sensor area or has lifted at the top edge may block Face ID. Remove it or replace it with one cut for the sensor area, and test again.
Bottom line
Face ID problems usually start with the simplest fix: a clean sensor, a restart, and a check of the settings switches. Reset and re-enroll Face ID if the scan keeps failing, and treat “Face ID is not available” as a sign to contact Apple. Working through the list in order will get most phones back to unlocking with a glance.
If your battery is also draining, our guide on why iPhone battery drains fast after an update covers the software side. If you’re short on space, the steps in free up iPhone storage without losing photos are a good next read. If your AirPods won’t pair while you’re troubleshooting, the steps in AirPods not connecting: fixes for iPhone, Windows and Android cover that separately.
