Liveness recording failures are most often caused by poor lighting or incorrect movements. To restart the process, open the Binance Official Website or the Binance Official App and navigate to the KYC section. For region-switching help, refer to the Binance App Download page. Below is an analysis of why these recordings fail.
What is Liveness Recording?
Binance requires a 5–10 second video to prove that a real person is present in front of the camera, rather than a static photo or a video playback. The process follows these steps:
- The camera activates.
- The system prompts you for specific actions (e.g., blinking, opening your mouth, or turning your head).
- You perform the actions as instructed.
- The system identifies your movements and compares them with your ID photo.
- The result is returned: Passed or Failed.
Four Categories of Failure Reasons
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Lighting | 35% |
| Movement | 25% |
| Network | 20% |
| Device / System | 15% |
| Other | 5% |
Let's examine each category in detail.
Category 1: Lighting Issues
Too Dark
The camera cannot distinguish facial features, causing liveness recognition to fail.
Solutions:
- Find a room with ample natural light.
- Record near a window during the day.
- Use a desk lamp to illuminate your face (avoid pointing it directly into your eyes).
Too Bright
Strong frontal light causes facial overexposure.
Solutions:
- Position the light to hit your face from the side; do not face a window directly.
- Turn off direct overhead lights.
- Use curtains to diffuse harsh sunlight.
Backlighting
Having a window or bright light source behind you turns your face into a silhouette.
Solutions:
- Turn around so the light comes from the front.
- Close the curtains to darken the background.
Mixed Color Temperatures
Mixing cold (white) and warm (yellow) lights can cause skin tone recognition errors.
Solutions: Use a single light source and turn off conflicting lamps.
Category 2: Movement Issues
Insufficient Movement
The system requires "distinct" movements (e.g., nodding or opening your mouth). A subtle movement may not be detected.
Solution: Make your movements slightly exaggerated (but not to the point of a caricature).
Excessive Movement
Moving too much might cause your face to leave the frame, leading the system to lose tracking.
Solution: Keep movements moderate and steady.
Moving Too Fast
Performing the requested action too quickly can result in missed frames.
Solution: Perform the actions slowly and smoothly.
Masks or Sunglasses
Masks covering the nose/mouth or sunglasses covering the eyes prevent the system from identifying facial features.
Solution: Remove them. If you just came from outside and are sweating, wait until you are dry before recording.
Heavy Makeup
Extremely heavy makeup can occasionally prevent the system from matching your features with your ID.
Solution: Keep makeup minimal or go without it for the recording.
Category 3: Network Issues
Recording Interruption
If the connection drops midway, the system will mark it as a failure.
Solutions:
- Use a stable connection (home Wi-Fi).
- Avoid recording in unstable environments like subways or elevators.
- Try switching to 4G/5G data if Wi-Fi is flaky.
Upload Timeout
The video fails to reach the server after recording.
Solutions:
- Wait for a time of day with better network speeds.
- Close other background apps to free up bandwidth.
- Disable your VPN.
System Errors
Occasional server congestion can cause unexpected errors.
Solution: Wait a few minutes and try again.
Category 4: Device and System Issues
Low-Resolution Camera
Old phone cameras (e.g., 2MP) may not provide enough detail for the biometric check.
Solution: Use a newer device (e.g., a friend's newer iPhone or Android).
Dirty Lens
Fingerprints or smudges can cause blurring.
Solution: Clean the lens with a microfiber cloth.
Outdated Operating System
Versions older than iOS 12 or Android 7 may have incompatible video formats.
Solution: Update your OS or use a newer device.
Browser Compatibility
Recording on a web browser can sometimes be restricted by browser permissions.
Solution: Use the Binance App for KYC instead of a mobile browser.
What Happens After N Failed Attempts?
Binance limits repeated attempts to prevent abuse:
- 5+ Failures in one day: Your account may be temporarily locked for verification; try again the next day.
- 10+ Failures in a week: Your case may be escalated to a manual review.
Do not retry blindly. Analyze the reason for each failure before attempting again.
"Pro Tips" for One-Time Success
Follow this setup for the best results:
- Record near a window around 10:00 AM.
- Remove glasses and masks.
- Tie back long hair to expose all facial features.
- Keep the camera 30–40 cm away from your face.
- Look directly into the camera lens during recording.
- Wait 1 second after the prompt before starting the action.
- Keep movements moderate, slow, and steady.
Can I View My Own Liveness Recording?
No. Binance liveness videos are sent directly to the server and are not stored locally on your device.
However, Binance retains these recordings as part of its compliance documentation, as required by financial regulations.
Is My Biometric Data Safe?
Binance holds various financial licenses and stores data according to strict standards:
- Data is encrypted.
- Access is strictly limited to authorized personnel.
- Regular security audits are conducted.
- Data is not used for commercial purposes.
What If I Still Can't Pass?
If you fail more than 10 times:
- Contact customer support and describe the exact error.
- Provide your UID.
- Support may grant you access to a "Manual Review Channel."
- You will then upload a clear selfie alongside your ID document.
- Manual reviews typically take 7–15 days.
FAQ
Q: Should I use the front or rear camera?
A: Usually the front (selfie) camera, as it allows you to see the prompts while recording.
Q: Can I use AR filters or beautification?
A: No. Disable all filters to ensure the system sees your authentic features.
Q: Is audio recorded?
A: Some processes may require you to read your ID number aloud. In such cases, audio is captured and analyzed.
Q: Can I wear contact lenses?
A: Normal clear lenses are fine. However, colored or decorative lenses may cause mismatch errors; it is better to remove them.
Further Reading
- What to prepare before Binance KYC: Checklist
- Tips for clear ID photos: Document guide
- Troubleshooting general KYC failures: Universal guide