If you use Windows Hello facial recognition to unlock your Windows 11 PC, you may have noticed that its performance has been a little more erratic lately. Don't worry, you're not alone.
Posts from users complaining about Windows Hello facial recognition malfunctions are starting to pop up all over the web. This is particularly the case on Reddit. These issues are said to be particularly common in dark environments. Microsoft is aware of this and has indicated that this is not a bug, but rather a new feature.
Microsoft has strengthened the security of facial recognition
As reported by our colleagues at Windows Central, this change in the behavior of the Windows Hello facial recognition module was first reported in April. That is, just after Microsoft deployed Patch Tuesday. It is indeed because of this update that the module no longer works as well as before. Microsoft has also indicated this in the patch release notes.
In concrete terms, this change in operation strengthens the security of Windows Hello facial recognition. Until now, Windows Hello facial recognition relied solely on infrared sensors to create a 3D scan of your face. These sensors, which work in dark environments, thus enabled Windows Hello facial recognition to work even in the dark.
Unfortunately for users, a major security flaw (CVE-2025-26644) affecting the module was recently discovered. To correct it, Microsoft had to modify the operation of Windows Hello by requiring, in addition to the 3D scan, that the face be visible, in color, through the Webcam.
A workaround exists
If you miss unlocking by facial recognition with Windows Hello when using your PC in the dark, rest assured. A workaround exists. It is not perfect, but has the merit of working. This involves disabling the webcam in the Windows 11 Device Manager.
Without a webcam, Windows Hello will rely solely on available infrared sensors to authenticate you. However, you will have to do without a webcam (or reactivate it each time) during your video calls.
Source: Windows Central
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