> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.talview.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why is my face not being detected?

During an assessment, **Talview** uses facial recognition to verify your identity through your camera. If you see a “Face not detected” message, this checklist helps you resolve common lighting, positioning, and camera-related issues.

## 🔎 Troubleshooting Common Issues

| **What might be wrong**       | **How to fix it**                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Poor lighting conditions      | Position yourself in a well-lit area with light shining on your face from the front. Use natural light or add a lamp behind your screen pointed toward you. Avoid overhead-only lights that create shadows under your eyes or nose. |
| Backlighting creates shadows  | Never sit with your back to windows or bright light sources, this makes your face appear dark. <br />Turn your setup so the light faces you directly, not from behind.                                                              |
| Camera positioned incorrectly | Place your webcam at eye level and center your face in the frame. <br />Maintain an arm's length distance so your full face is clearly visible without excessive zoom. <br />Adjust the angle to avoid looking up or down.          |
| Face obstructed or covered    | Remove hats, sunglasses, masks, scarves, or anything covering your face (unless required for religious or medical reasons). <br />Ensure your entire face from forehead to chin is visible.                                         |
| Glasses causing glare         | Adjust your position or tilt your glasses slightly to minimize reflections from lighting sources. <br />If glare persists, try repositioning your light source or camera angle.                                                     |
| Multiple faces in frame       | Ensure you're alone in the camera view, no other people, photos, or posters with faces should be visible. <br />Only your face should appear in the frame.                                                                          |
| Camera hardware issues        | Test your webcam in another application (like your device's camera app) to confirm it's working. <br />Clean the lens with a soft cloth to remove dust or smudges. <br />Close other apps using the camera (Skype, Zoom, Teams).    |
| Neutral background missing    | Use a plain, well-lit background (white or neutral colors work best). <br />Avoid busy patterns, bright colors, or cluttered areas that might confuse the detection system.                                                         |

<Tip>
  **Additional Troubleshooting Tips**

  * [**Test your webcam**](https://video-diagnostics.talview.org/) functionality by opening any video application to confirm the camera is working properly
  * Clean the webcam lens, as dust or smudges can blur the image and affect detection
  * Close all applications that might be using the camera, such as Skype, Zoom, or Teams, as they can interfere with the assessment platform
  * Ensure adequate lighting in the room for optimal video quality
  * If using an external camera, ensure it is properly connected to your computer with cables securely plugged in
</Tip>