[Bug]: dlib installation fails / stuck while building wheel on Windows (Python 3.13)

[Ira-Singh-Parmar]

What Operating System(s) are you seeing this problem on?

Windows

dlib version

19.24

Python version

3.13

Compiler

MSVC toolchain via pip (Windows build environment, triggered from VS Code terminal)

Expected Behavior

dlib should install successfully using pip without requiring manual compilation or getting stuck while building wheel.

Current Behavior

When running:

pip install opencv-python face_recognition numpy

the installation gets stuck at:

Building wheel for dlib (pyproject.toml) ...

The process either takes extremely long or does not complete. In some cases, it is manually cancelled.

This blocks the installation of face_recognition because it depends on dlib.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open VS Code terminal on Windows
2. Run: pip install opencv-python face_recognition numpy
3. pip starts resolving dependencies
4. It begins building dlib from source
5. Installation gets stuck at "Building wheel for dlib"

Anything else?

Environment:

• Windows OS
• Python 3.13
• pip install executed inside VS Code terminal

It seems dlib does not have prebuilt wheels for Python 3.13 yet, causing compilation from source which leads to long or failed builds.

This also affects installation of face_recognition since it depends on dlib.

A workaround or prebuilt binary would be helpful.