The invention relates to obstruction detection during facial recognition processes. A facial recognition process operating on a device may include one or more processes that determine if a camera and/or components associated with the camera are obstructed by an object (e.g., a user's hand or fingers). Obstruction of the device may be assessed using flood infrared illumination images when a user'sface is not able to be detected by a face detection process operating on the device. Obstruction of the device may also be assessed using a pattern detection process that operates after the user's face is detected by the face detection process. When obstruction of the device is detected, the device may provide a notification to the user that the device (e.g., the camera and/or an illuminator) is obstructed and that the obstruction should be removed for the facial recognition process to operate correctly.
Obstruction detection during facial recognition processes