iPhone’s Face ID Not Working? What It Means, Why It Happens, and What It Costs to Fix

Face ID is one of those features you stop thinking about — until it suddenly fails.

You lift your phone. It doesn’t unlock. You see a message that says “Face ID is not available.” Maybe it started right after an iOS update. Maybe it happened after the phone got wet. Maybe it just stopped working without warning.

If your iPhone Face ID is not working, the problem usually comes down to one of two things: a temporary software issue or a hardware failure inside the TrueDepth camera system.

The difference matters. One costs nothing to fix. The other may involve a repair bill.

Let’s walk through how Face ID works, why it fails, how to diagnose it properly, and what repair cost you might be looking at.

How Face ID Actually Works (And Why That Matters)

Face ID isn’t just a front camera scanning your face.

Inside the notch — or Dynamic Island on newer models — sits the TrueDepth camera system. It includes an infrared camera, a flood illuminator, and a dot projector that maps over 30,000 invisible dots onto your face. That data builds a secure depth model used for authentication.

If any one of those components fails, Face ID stops working.

This is why simple screen damage, water exposure, or unauthorized repairs can interfere with Face ID even if everything else seems fine.

Understanding that helps you narrow down the real cause.

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iPhone Face ID Not Working After Update

This is one of the most common situations.

You update iOS. Everything seems normal. Then Face ID stops recognizing you — or you see the message:

“Face ID is not available. Try setting up later.”

When this happens immediately after a software update, the issue is usually not hardware.

Large updates sometimes conflict with existing biometric data. System files refresh. Background processes reset. Occasionally, Face ID settings don’t carry over cleanly.

Before assuming the worst, try this:

First, restart your iPhone completely. Not a quick screen-off — a full power-down and reboot. It sounds simple, but it often resolves post-update glitches.

If that doesn’t fix it, go into Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, and choose “Reset Face ID.” Then set it up again from scratch. Many update-related failures resolve at this stage.

If setup fails entirely — especially if you see “Unable to activate Face ID” — the issue may run deeper.

But in most update cases, the fix is software-based and free.

iPhone Face ID Not Working After Water

This is where things get more serious.

Modern iPhones are water-resistant, but they are not waterproof. The seals degrade over time. Exposure to saltwater or long submersion increases risk.

If Face ID stopped working after water exposure, even if the phone still powers on normally, the TrueDepth components may have been damaged.

Water doesn’t need to destroy the entire phone to disable Face ID. The dot projector and infrared sensors are particularly sensitive. Even minor internal corrosion can interrupt biometric functionality.

If you suspect water damage:

Power off the device immediately.
Avoid charging it.
Do not rely on rice as a fix.

Let the phone dry fully and avoid repeated power cycles.

If Face ID still fails after drying and restarting, repair is likely required.

Water damage rarely resolves with software resets.

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My iPhone Face ID Is Not Working at All

If Face ID won’t set up, won’t activate, and shows persistent error messages, you’re likely dealing with hardware.

Here’s how to test that clearly.

Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Set Up Face ID.

If the setup process won’t even begin and shows an availability error, the system cannot access one of its required sensors.

That strongly indicates hardware failure.

If the camera preview works but scanning fails mid-process, the issue may be with the dot projector specifically.

At that point, repair becomes the next consideration.

Repair Cost: What You Can Expect

The cost to repair Face ID depends on several factors:

• Your iPhone model
• Whether it’s under warranty
• Whether you have AppleCare+
• Whether there’s visible damage

Face ID components are paired to the motherboard. This means third-party repairs can be complicated. In many cases, Apple replaces the front camera module or entire display assembly.

If your device is under warranty and there is no physical or liquid damage, Apple may repair it at no charge.

If you don’t have coverage, repair costs typically range between $150 and $400, depending on model.

Newer iPhones often sit at the higher end of that range.

If AppleCare+ is active, accidental damage service fees are usually much lower — often under $100.

It’s always best to check Apple’s official support site for the most current pricing based on your model.

When Repair Isn’t Worth It

If your iPhone is four or five years old and already has other issues — weak battery, cracked screen, storage limitations — investing several hundred dollars into Face ID repair may not make financial sense.

In those cases, upgrading can be the more practical move.

However, if your device is recent and in good condition, restoring Face ID may be worth it, especially since many apps and payment systems rely on biometric authentication.

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Temporary Workarounds While Face ID Is Down

Even if Face ID fails, your iPhone remains usable.

You can rely on passcode unlock. Apple Pay still works with passcode confirmation. Apps that require Face ID typically allow fallback authentication.

If you own an Apple Watch, you may still unlock your iPhone while wearing it.

Face ID improves convenience — but it’s not required for functionality.

Signs It’s Definitely Hardware

You’re likely dealing with hardware failure if:

• Face ID stopped after a drop.
• Face ID stopped after water exposure.
• Setup fails repeatedly even after reset.
• Error messages persist across factory reset.

At that stage, software troubleshooting won’t solve it.

Professional repair or replacement becomes the only path forward.

How to Prevent Future Face ID Problems

To reduce risk moving forward:

Avoid exposing your phone to water, even if rated water-resistant.
Use authorized repair services.
Install iOS updates consistently but allow devices to finish installing fully.
Avoid extreme heat.
Use a protective case to reduce drop damage.

Most Face ID failures come from physical damage rather than software.

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Final Thoughts

If your iPhone’s Face ID is not working, the first step is identifying whether the issue began after an update or after physical exposure.

If it followed a software update, the fix is often simple — restart, reset Face ID, or update again.

If it followed water exposure or a drop, hardware damage is more likely, and repair cost becomes a factor.

Diagnose first. Spend second.

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