How can I use my external USB Camera for facial recognition while the lid is closed on my laptop?

Question

I need help using my external USB camera to unlock my passwords. How can I do this? I'm using a Lenovo Yoga laptop with Windows 11 Home.

Answer 1

Hi, good day!

This is possible with facial recognition only if Windows Hello detects a compatible camera. Unfortunately, standard USB webcams will not work. It must support Windows Hello, which requires infrared (IR) or depth-sensing hardware. Some external USB cameras are designed for this and will work, but most regular webcams do not.

What is the exact make and model of your External USB camera?

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.

Answer 2

To use your external USB camera for facial recognition while your laptop lid is closed, you should be aware that some laptops may not support this functionality when docked with the lid closed. However, this issue has been addressed in Windows 11, version 22H2. If your Lenovo Yoga laptop is updated to this version or later, you should be able to use your external camera for Windows Hello facial recognition even with the lid closed.

Make sure that your external camera is compatible with Windows Hello and that you have it properly set up in the Windows settings. You can check the settings under Accounts > Sign-in options to ensure that facial recognition is enabled and configured correctly.

If you encounter any issues, you may also want to check if Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) is affecting the use of external peripherals. You can temporarily disable ESS if needed, which allows the use of external devices for authentication.

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References:

• Common questions about Windows Hello for Business
• Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security