Face ID isn’t working on your iPad and you don’t know why. You can still log in using your passcode, but if you’re like most people, the iPad Face ID feature was one of the main selling points when you bought your iPad, and it’s frustrating when it doesn’t work! In this article, I’ll explain why Face ID is not working on your iPad and show you how to fix this problem step-by-step.
Before we dive into the troubleshooting steps, it’s a good idea to double-check to make sure you’ve gone though the normal setup process. If you’re sure Face ID is set up correctly, follow the troubleshooting steps below to learn what to do when Face ID is not working on your iPad.
1. Restart Your iPad
The first thing to do when iPad Face ID is not working is restart your iPad. This has the potential to fix a small software glitch that could be causing the problem.
Press and hold the top button and either volume button until "slide to power off" appears on the screen. Use a finger to swipe the red and white power icon from left to right. Your iPad will shut down.
Wait 30–60 seconds, then press and hold the top button again until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Your iPad will turn on again shortly after.
2. Make Sure You’re Holding Your iPad Far Enough Away From Your Face
Face ID is designed to work when you hold your iPad 10–20 inches away from your face. If you’re holding your iPad to close or too far from your face, it could be the reason why Face ID is not working on your iPad. As a general rule, extend your arms straight out in front of you when using Face ID.
3. Make Sure There Are No Other Faces Around You
If there are multiple faces in the line of the cameras and sensors on your iPad when you’re trying to use Face ID, it may not work properly. If you’re in a busy place such as a city street, try to find a more private spot to use Face ID. If you’re trying to show off this cool feature to your friends, just make sure they aren’t standing right next to you!
4. Remove Any Clothing Or Jewelry Covering Your Face
Face ID works with hats, scarves, and glasses as long as the TrueDepth camera can see your eyes, nose, and mouth. Clothing or jewelry could be covering parts of your face, making it more difficult for Face ID to recognize who you are.
5. Check Lighting Conditions
Another thing to be careful of when using Face ID is the lighting conditions around you. Face ID uses infrared, so it’s designed to work indoors, outdoors, and even in total darkness.
6. Clean The Cameras & Sensors On The Front Of Your iPad
Next, try cleaning off the front iPad. Gunk or debris could be covering one of the cameras or sensors used for Face ID. We recommend gently wiping the camera and sensors with a microfiber cloth.
7. Take Off Your iPad Case Or Screen Protector
If you have a case or screen protector on your iPad, take it off before using Face ID. Sometimes, a case or screen protector may cover or interfere with one of your iPad’s cameras or sensors, causing Face ID to not work properly.
8. Make Sure Your Finger Or Palm Isn’t Covering The TrueDepth Camera
Face ID on iPad works in any orientation, but in landscape mode your finger or palm can cover the TrueDepth camera without you noticing. If you’re using iPad in landscape orientation, make sure that your finger or palm isn’t covering the TrueDepth camera. You might see an alert at the top of the screen that says "Camera covered."
9. Delete Your Face ID And Set It Up Again
If Face ID consistently fails, try deleting your saved Face ID, then setting it up again. If something went wrong during the initial set-up process, you may have trouble using Face ID in the future.
To delete your iPad Face ID, open the Settings app and tap Face ID & Passcode. After entering your passcode, tap Reset Face ID.
Now that Face ID has been reset, tap Set Up Face ID. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up the new iPad Face ID.
10. Check For An iPad Software Update
Since Face ID is an iPad feature, there may be small bugs or glitches that could be fixed by a software update. To check for a software update, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download & Install. If your iPad is already up to date, it will say "Your software is up to date." on this menu.
11. Reset All Settings
If Face ID still isn’t working, try resetting all settings on your iPad. When you reset all settings, all of the settings in your iPad’s Settings app will be reset to factory defaults. This step can sometimes fix a troublesome software issue that may be difficult to track down.
To reset all settings, open the Settings app and tap General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings. Enter your passcode, then tap Reset All Settings when the confirmation pop-up appears on the screen. After the settings are reset, your iPad will restart.
12. DFU Restore Your iPad
A DFU restore is the deepest type of iPad restore and a last-ditch effort to fix a persistent software problem. Before performing a DFU restore, we recommend saving a backup of your iPad so you won’t lose your contacts, photos, and other data.
See also: How to Put iPad in DFU Mode (All Models)
13. Repair Your iPad
If you’ve made it this far and Face ID still won’t work, you may need to get your iPad repaired. If your iPad is still under warranty, we recommend bringing in your iPad to your local Apple Store. Remember to make an appointment first!
Fresh-faced Face ID!
Face ID is working once again and you can finally unlock your iPad with your smile. Now that you know what to do when Face ID is not working on your iPad, make sure to share this article on social media before your friends and family turn blue in the face trying to fix the problem. We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below to know what you think about Face ID!
