What to do when your iPad stops responding or won't turn on

A disabled iPad — one that won't turn on, respond to touches, or load apps — usually needs a force restart or a factory reset. Most of the time, a force restart solves the problem without erasing anything. If that doesn't work, you can restore the iPad using a computer and iTunes or Finder, which erases it but often brings it back to working order. The steps differ depending on which iPad model you have and which version of iPadOS it runs.

Before you start, know that a factory reset will erase everything on the iPad unless you have a backup. If your iPad is synced to iCloud, you can restore your data after the reset. If it isn't, you'll lose photos, documents, and apps that aren't backed up elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • A force restart — holding down buttons in a specific sequence — fixes most frozen or unresponsive iPads without erasing data.
  • The button combination for a force restart depends on your iPad model: iPad Pro uses volume and power buttons, older iPads use the home button and power button.
  • If a force restart doesn't work, you can restore the iPad using a Mac or Windows computer with Finder or iTunes, but this erases all data.
  • After a factory reset, you can restore your photos, apps, and settings from an iCloud backup if you had one set up before the problem started.

Force restart your iPad first

A force restart shuts down the iPad completely and turns it back on, which clears temporary problems without erasing anything. The steps depend on which iPad you have.

For iPad Pro (all models): Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then press and hold the power button (on the top or side) until you see the power-off slider appear, then keep holding until the screen goes black. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The whole process takes about 10 seconds of holding after the slider appears.

For iPad Air, iPad, or iPad mini with a home button: Press and hold both the home button (at the bottom center) and the top power button at the same time. Keep holding both until the power-off slider appears, then keep holding until the screen goes black. Wait a few seconds and press the power button to turn it back on.

For iPad Air or iPad mini without a home button: Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then press and hold the power button (on the top or side) until the power-off slider appears, then keep holding until the screen goes black. Wait a few seconds and press the power button to turn it back on.

Restore your iPad using a computer

If a force restart doesn't work, you'll need a Mac or Windows computer and a USB cable that fits your iPad. On a Mac with macOS Monterey or newer, use Finder. On older Macs or any Windows computer, use iTunes (download it free from Apple's website if you don't have it).

On a Mac: Connect your iPad with the USB cable. Open Finder and click on your iPad's name in the sidebar. Click "Restore" and follow the prompts. Finder will download the latest iPadOS and install it on your iPad, erasing everything in the process. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.

On Windows: Connect your iPad with the USB cable. Open iTunes. Click the iPad icon near the top left. Click "Restore" and confirm. iTunes will download the latest iPadOS and install it. This also takes 15 to 30 minutes.

If your iPad doesn't show up in Finder or iTunes, try a different USB cable or a different computer. Sometimes the cable or the USB port on your computer is the problem, not the iPad itself.

Restore from an iCloud backup after the reset

After the restore finishes and your iPad turns back on, it will ask you to set it up. If you had iCloud turned on before the problem started, you can sign in with your Apple ID and restore your photos, apps, documents, and settings from the backup.

During setup, you'll see a screen that says "Apps & Data." Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup," then sign in with your Apple ID. Select the backup you want to restore from — usually the most recent one. The iPad will download your data, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

If you don't see an iCloud backup option, it means iCloud wasn't turned on before the problem happened. In that case, you'll set up the iPad as new and reinstall apps from the App Store manually.

When to try a different USB cable or port

If your iPad won't show up in Finder or iTunes when you connect it, the problem might not be the iPad itself. Try these steps before assuming the iPad is broken.

First, try a different USB cable. The cable that came with your iPad is usually the most reliable, but any Apple-certified cable should work. If you don't have another cable, borrow one from a friend or buy one from an Apple Store or electronics retailer.

Second, try a different USB port on your computer. Ports on the back of a desktop computer or the sides of a laptop sometimes work better than ports on the front. If you're using a USB hub, try plugging directly into the computer instead.

Third, restart your computer. Sometimes the computer's USB system gets stuck and a restart clears it. After the restart, connect the iPad again.

What to do if the iPad still won't work

If a force restart, a factory reset, and trying different cables don't fix the problem, the iPad likely has a hardware issue — a broken screen, a damaged battery, or a problem with the logic board. At this point, you have two options: take it to an Apple Store for diagnosis and repair, or contact Apple Support by phone or online chat to discuss your options.

Apple Stores can often repair iPads the same day or within a few days, depending on the problem and how busy the store is. Repairs are not free, but if your iPad is still under warranty or you have AppleCare+, some repairs may be covered. If you don't have AppleCare+, a screen replacement typically costs $99 to $199 depending on the model, and other repairs vary widely.

If you don't want to pay for a repair, you can also sell the iPad for parts or recycle it. Some electronics recyclers will take broken iPads for free, and some will pay a small amount depending on the model and condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a force restart erase my photos and documents?

No. A force restart is just a reboot — it turns the iPad off and back on without erasing anything. Only a factory reset (restore) erases data, and you can prevent data loss by restoring from an iCloud backup afterward.

How do I know if my iPad is backed up to iCloud?

Before the problem started, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. If you see "iCloud Backup" listed and it shows a recent backup date, your data is backed up. If you can't check now because the iPad won't respond, you can sign into iCloud.com on a computer and check your account there.

Can I restore my iPad without a computer?

Not with a factory reset. You need a Mac or Windows computer with Finder or iTunes to restore an iPad that won't respond. However, if your iPad is still somewhat responsive, you might be able to reset it through Settings without a computer — go to Settings, tap General, scroll down, and tap Reset.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password?

After a factory reset, the iPad will ask for your Apple ID to restore from backup or to set up iCloud. If you forgot your password, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer and follow the steps to reset it. You'll need access to the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID.

How long does a factory reset take?

The restore process itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your internet speed and which iPad model you have. Restoring from an iCloud backup afterward can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on how much data you have.