Windows Hello IR blaster not working, but the camera works

I've been having issues for the past year or so with Windows Hello on my 13R3. After I got my 13R3 back from warranty (burnt motherboard) I just couldn't get the Windows Hello facial recognition set-up. I recently tried again, but I noticed that the IR blaster is simply not working. It shows me an IR image (pretty dark, but definitely something) but the red light is not blinking, so it can't recognize my eyes properly. The normal camera also works. It looks like the IR blaster just isn't working. Anyone else have this issue? I have the latest Realtek IR drivers from Dell's support site.

 

Anyone?

 

Hi, what do you get when going to Settings/sign-in options/face recognition ... after you type in the pin number?

Do you see the black/white vampire face or it throws some error?

 

I see a black and white vampire face. Basically, the IR camera works, the normal camera also works, but the IR blaster (red blinking light) doesn't. I've tried installing every version of the Realtek IR camera driver but it all gives me the same result. When I uninstall the imaging device I get the message that windows hello setup isn't available.

 

@Drinky

I had problems with Hello once, but it threw message 'there is a problem with setting up Hello', and there was no vampire face lol.

I could only fix it by reinstalling Windows, and then stock Windows 10 drivers got Hello ready without further camera or other software installation.
I also remember I had to uninstall tobii for Hello to work as there was some conflict.
Last thing was trying the secure boot on/off in Bios.

All these things I definitely had to do.

 

I've tried many things at this point. Updated my bios to the latest 1.9.0, installed all the Intel Chipset and management updates, installed Tobii. Nothing works. Even with Tobii the red light doesn't come on. If I have the sun shining on me I can set-up a face login, but it doesn't work when it's even a bit darker.

 

I contacted tobii support to see if they can figure it out. For some reason it's just the IR blaster, but the webcam module is one piece with only one cable going to it. So either the blaster itself is defective or it's a software issue. Either way, the OEM part number is 0JCXG0 in case anyone is looking for it and it will cost you anywhere from $10-$30 to replace. There are 3 different versions, all different at the microphone part but I'm not sure if that will actually have a real impact on the camera performance.