Several users have reported that the iPad/iPod/iPhone home button is not working. If your iPad (or iPhone) button is not responding and you’re out of warranty, here is what you can do to fix it.
Fix 1
- Open an (default) app that came preinstalled on your device (Notes, Calendar etc).
- Press and hold down the Power button until the “Slide to Power Off” appears, then release (DON’T slide to power off).
- Now, hold the home button (about 5-10 seconds) until it exits to the home screen.
If this did not solve your problem, continue to the second method.
Fix 2
- With your iOS device in portrait view, press and hold the home button (ignore Siri).
- While continuing to hold the home button, turn the iPad to landscape view, then back to portrait view. Make sure your screen rotates when you do this. Then let go of the home button.
Fix 3
- Clean your Home button. There may be some debris preventing your button from functioning. Use only a soft, lint-free cloth and clean your home button. Further, try to blow on the port (docking port) to remove any debris. Or use a hair dryer or suck (hard) on the docking port.
Fix 4
- There is a possibility that your device’s docking port got misaligned. To fix this,plug your USB cable into your iPad. Then, gently push down on the 30-pin connector or lightning (lifting it up towards the glass), so that it pushes up behind the home button. While doing this, click the home button to see if that fixed the problem.
Fix 5
If nothing above fixes your problem and if you think you have a completely defunct home button; then you may try your iPad’s accessibility features.
- Tap Settings > General > Accessibility > Assistive Touch > and toggle on AssistiveTouch and now you’ll see a small circle appear on your screen.Tap that circle, and you will see four options: Favorites, Siri, Device and Home. You may want to use this Home button, instead of the hardware one.
Related:
- iPhone stuck in headphones mode, fix
- iPhone, iPad or iPod screen will not rotate, fix
- How to Determine iPad Models
- Troubleshooting Guide: Fixing iPad Wi-Fi Issues
- iPad or iPhone will not charge, fix
Gently wiggling the docking pin/charging cable in the iPad helped me!
This info helped so much! Thank you!
My ipad 2 home button has not worked for months – Fix number 2 sorted it out – happy days !
My screen is frozen and my home button or my off button isn’t working. Help!
Great tip. 2nd step fixed for me after weeks of frustration. Thanks v much.
Thanks , believe it or not I was just about to send to apple to fix when blowing and sucking the dock port worked!!! (tip 3) Must have had something stuck there!
Thank you very much
Unbelievable. Lived with this for a year and decided to Google before taking to get the hardware fixed. Fix 1 worked perfectly.
Hardware button is dead.
All the fixes failed, but #5 works well.
Thanks for pointing it out.
I pad is frooze n
i am so grateful for you help. I know you have helped so many, but I have to stop and say thank you. #4 is the option that helped me.
Thank you sorted
The troubleshooter sl.no.5-‘accessibility’ feature helped to solve. -home button problem not responding. Now want to know if the circle can be hidden or remove??
The troubleshooter sl.no.5-‘accessibility’ feature helped to solve. -home button problem not responding. Now want to know if the circle can be hidden or removed? These relates to my iPad mini stopped from responding to the Home button.thanks
my ipad home button is stuck inside my ipad and isnt coming out and #4 isnt doing anything. Please help
Did all the fixes and # 4 worked! Thanks
My screen froze whilst using Skype. Fix 4 worked for me. THANKS!
Fix # 4 worked for me on stuck home button. Thanks!
Even putting the assistive touch didn’t work. Also, my bottom screen isn’t showing up, and my iPad screen is locked on landscape! Help me!