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You are here: Home / iPad / My iPad Is Frozen or Not Responding, How Do I Fix It?

My iPad Is Frozen or Not Responding, How Do I Fix It?

By Danny Maiorca 157 comments Last updated July 19, 2023

Is your iPad frozen, keeps freezing, or is locked up? Finding that your iPad is unresponsive to any touch on its screen?

iPads occasionally stop responding for various reasons, which is often frustrating, especially if you’re in the middle of something important.

Related Reading:

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If your iPad keeps freezing, we’re going to help you fix that problem today. Keep reading to discover our top solutions to this issue.

Contents

  • iPad Frozen Tip #1: Restart
    • Are you using iOS 11+?
  • iPad Frozen Tip #2: Force Reset
      • To force restart your frozen iPad or iPhone device:
  • iPad Frozen Tip #3: Charge Your iPad
    • Don’t See The Charging Screen?
  • iPad Frozen Tip #4: Close Apps (If Possible)
  • iPad Frozen Tip #5: Reset Settings (If Possible)
  • Back Up Your iPad After Fixing the Problem to Avoid Future File Losses
  • Follow These Tips to Fix the iPad Frozen Issue

iPad Frozen Tip #1: Restart

Try restarting your iPad. To do this, simply press and hold the Sleep/Wake button when the iPad freezes until a red slider appears on the screen. Slide the slider to trigger the shutdown process.

Screenshot showing how to slide your iPad Power off

To turn back on, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears. Then, enter your device’s passcode.

Are you using iOS 11+?

Most modern iPad users are probably using iPadOS 11+. You can use a different command to shut down your device if you have at least this software on your device:

  1. Go to Settings > General.
  2. Scroll all the way down and choose Shut Down. Shut down your iPad in the Settings app
  3. Slide to power off your device.
  4. Turn your iPad back on. Then, enter your passcode when trying to unlock your screen.

iPad Frozen Tip #2: Force Reset

If the first tip didn’t work, or if your iPad keeps freezing, try resetting your iPad–also called a Hard Restart or Force Restart.

To force restart your frozen iPad or iPhone device:

  • On an iPad with no Home Button: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and release volume down. Next, hold the power button on the side or top of the device until the Apple logo appears
  • On most iPads with a Home button: Tap the volume up and down button. Then, hold the standby button until the Apple logo appears.
  • On an iPhone 6s and earlier, older iPad with Home Button, or iPod Touch: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons for at least 20 seconds, until you see the Apple logo.

Some of our readers mentioned that performing tip#2 on older iPhone or iPad models required them to hold the two buttons down for about 30 seconds. So if the first time fails and your iPad is still locked up, try it again with a 30 second hold.

If your Home Button isn’t working, please see our complete guide to fixing that particular problem. In the meantime, you can restart your iPad by using Assistive Touch for a virtual home button.

iPad Frozen Tip #3: Charge Your iPad

If the above tips don’t work, the issue could be that the battery is fully depleted. Plug it into a wall outlet for a while and see if your battery holds a charge.

Please note that it can take up to 20 minutes of charging before the iPad starts up.

Ideally, plug in your device and let it charge for up at least one hour!

Don’t See The Charging Screen?

If, within an hour, you don’t see the charging icon on your screen or you see the connect to power screen, check the charging port on your iPad, USB cable, and power adapter.

  • Make sure that everything is plugged in firmly, free of debris, and not damaged.
  • Try a different cable or power adapter. Alternatively, try plugging your device into a different plug socket.

iPad Frozen Tip #4: Close Apps (If Possible)

If you’re able to close all of your apps, doing this and restarting your iPad could help to stop intermittent freezing and similar issues.

To close apps on your iPad, double-tap the Home Button if your device is equipped with this. Otherwise, on newer iPads, Hold the bottom of your screen and swipe up.

Regardless of how you revealed your apps, swipe up to delete them all.

Close an app on your iPad

iPad Frozen Tip #5: Reset Settings (If Possible)

Sometimes a random setting is getting in the way, so let’s reset all those settings back to factory defaults. Note that you should not do this before trying the other steps, as you’ll need to customize your personalized settings again after doing so.

To reset all settings on an iPad:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad. Shut down your iPad in the Settings app
  2. Select Reset. Click on Reset to reset your iPad settings
  3. Click on Reset All Settings. Options for Reset All on iPadOS

Resetting all settings also reverts all your personalized and customized features like wallpapers and accessibility settings back to factory defaults. Performing this action does not impact any of your personal device data, including photos, texts, documents, and other files. 

Back Up Your iPad After Fixing the Problem to Avoid Future File Losses

Once you get your iPad back to working condition, it’s a good idea to backup. This will ensure that you don’t lose important photos, notes, and more if you need to reset your iPad in the future. You can back your iPad up to iCloud by following these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Apple ID profile.
  2. Tap iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. If the button is grayed out, you’re probably not connected to your Wi-Fi — so you should fix that issue before trying again. The Back Up Settings on an iPad

Follow These Tips to Fix the iPad Frozen Issue

If your iPad is frozen, it can cause several issues and stop you from either enjoying yourself or doing your work. Thankfully, fixing the issue is possible in several ways. You can try simple options like turning your device off and on again, and it’s also a good idea to back up your device when you’ve fixed everything.

A frozen iPad is often due to glitches, and it shouldn’t be a long-term problem. Having read this guide, you’re now ready to get your tablet working as it should.

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Danny Maiorca

Danny has been a professional writer since graduating from university in 2016, but he’s been writing online for over a decade. He has been intrigued by Apple products ever since getting an iPod Shuffle in 2008 and particularly enjoys writing about iPhones and iPads. Danny prides himself on making complex topics easy to understand. In his spare time, he’s a keen photographer.

Reader Interactions

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Show 157 Comments

  1. Corinne H says

    November 13, 2022 at 2:44 AM

    None of the suggestions are working for my frozen screen so how do you do things in settings and closing down apps when your screen is frozen?
    HELP
    I have the latest iPad

    Reply
  2. kassandra says

    July 23, 2022 at 7:24 PM

    hi so i did the factory reset for my ipad and now im at the set up place and half my sceen still doesnt work and its the bottom half so i cant even finish it any tips?

    Reply
  3. jarred says

    April 26, 2022 at 1:58 AM

    I PAD Completely frozen all buttons non responsive how do i get it back

    Reply
  4. Ralph Taylor says

    January 7, 2022 at 4:31 PM

    Ever since I updated to IOS15.2, the touch screen will lock up for 5 to 20 seconds, randomly. It happens on all of the 8 or 10 app / games I use.

    Reply
  5. Margie Towne says

    December 5, 2021 at 7:43 AM

    Please help no picture on iPad it froze up went blank I don’t know how to get it back I hear the sounds but no picture how can I fix it from my iPhone

    Reply
  6. Wilkinson says

    November 14, 2021 at 4:52 AM

    I am logged into facebook and want to logout,but frozen.

    Reply
  7. Susan Christopher says

    June 27, 2021 at 5:51 PM

    I still cannot unfreeze my I pad. I am on vacation and don’t have access to a computer. I have done all the tips.

    Reply
  8. Nuong says

    April 10, 2021 at 9:58 AM

    My iPad 8 got freeze when I fill out online form and sent

    Reply
  9. Laurel Lister says

    April 1, 2021 at 11:57 AM

    I Pad has 1 screne side ways how can I rotate it

    Reply
  10. Ronald pitt says

    January 31, 2021 at 5:00 AM

    My wife’s iPad asks for her code but won’t allow her to enter it

    Reply
    • Max says

      April 17, 2021 at 9:32 AM

      I have the same problem. Did you resolve this?

      Reply
      • Divyana Mehra says

        October 3, 2021 at 12:28 AM

        Me too I think I have the same problem with my iPad
        Hey but will you be my friend

        Reply
  11. Michael Lynott says

    January 6, 2021 at 2:11 PM

    My wife’s IPad allows her to enter the password, then goes to the Home Screen, but then nothing , the apps are non responsive however you can take a screenshot. Help please.

    Reply
  12. Fiona Sandwell says

    November 8, 2020 at 10:53 PM

    I cant get into my ipad. I have tried all the above. It keeps repeating the time and when ut asks for my pin it repeats the numbers i out in but wont ooen. Can you help – please.

    Reply
  13. marny aten says

    October 30, 2020 at 8:00 PM

    my apple ipad pro 2017 seams to be froze . it came up saying that it was upgrading software to apple id. at stuck on that. when i can get to my password it go to hellow in a number of difference languages. thats it. cant get it to slid nothing. touch screen wont respond and key boards eighter.

    Reply
  14. Danar says

    July 24, 2020 at 10:12 PM

    My ipad 2, stuck on lockscreen. I did reset by holding power+home button. Its solved i can touch my ipad, but appearance of app become small.

    Reply
  15. Ralph P Swanson says

    May 18, 2020 at 8:36 AM

    Old I-PAD 16GB
    Having trouble getting e-mails.

    When I turn the computer on, there is a list of current in-box e-mails.
    There is a blank screen when I try the e-mail function….

    Once in awhile an e-mail from 3 months ago shows as frozen, caught between delete/forward.

    I am now re-setting back to factory settings. That did not help.
    Any other help??

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      May 18, 2020 at 9:15 AM

      Hi Ralph,

      Can you provide us some more information? What model iPad and what iOS version does it use? Find this information in Settings > General > About.

      Reply
  16. Steph says

    May 12, 2020 at 9:40 PM

    hi, my brothers ipad air 2 is frozen and you can’t turn it off or do anything. I’ve restarted it and it didn’t work. I plugged it into the computer and connected it to iTunes. it reset everything and it turned on like a new ipad but it’s still frozen and wont do anything. so I’ve left it on charge but if you know a way to unfreeze it please let me know because my brother needs it for school. thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      May 13, 2020 at 8:16 AM

      Hi Steph,

      Have you done a forced restart? Press and hold the Home Button and the Power button together and keep holding them until you see the Apple Logo on the iPad’s screen, the release both buttons.

      See if the iPad works

      Reply
  17. Cindy McLaughlin says

    January 23, 2020 at 11:43 PM

    Nothing worked.its stuck in a game with an advertisement on top.i can see game playing in background. And, I can movement in advertisement but I can not get rid of ad or turn off iPad. I can get camera slide over the clock screen. I vmcan not get into any apps. I’m am so sad please helo

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      January 24, 2020 at 8:09 AM

      Hi Cindy,

      Can you open the app switcher? Try double pressing your home button so your apps appear as tiles on the screen. Tap the tile for the app that has that advertisement and swipe it up off the top of your screen–this forces it to close.

      Once the app closes, power off your iPad, wait a minute or two, and power back on.

      You may need to delete that game app and restore the purchase via the app store.

      Reply
  18. Sami says

    September 24, 2019 at 8:14 AM

    My iPad Air freezes for no reason all the time. Reboot fixes it. But so annoying. No matter what I am doing.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      September 24, 2019 at 8:44 AM

      Hi Sami,

      Try closing all your open apps and then restart.

      Close an app
      1. On an iPhone or an iPad with no home button from the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen
      2. On an iDevice with a home button, double-click the Home button and swipe right or left to find the app that you want to close
      3. Swipe right or left to locate the app you want to close
      4. Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it
      5. Repeat for all apps until none remain on your home screen
      6. Then restart

      Reply
  19. Dr S Sahariah says

    September 20, 2019 at 3:17 AM

    Only Album page is frozen
    Not responding or getting cancelled

    Reply
  20. Cathy Seelinger says

    June 19, 2019 at 12:29 PM

    Unable to use I pad even after force turning it off. The key board by not responding and fre. Keys not responding or continuously

    Reply
  21. linda rich says

    June 14, 2019 at 11:32 AM

    My I pad only shows a lock symbol and will not start

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      June 15, 2019 at 5:02 AM

      Hi Linda,

      Sorry to hear your iPad is not starting up.

      Please try a forced restart instead of a normal restart:

      * On an iPad with no Home Button: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Side/Top/Power button until the device restarts.

      * On an iPad with a Home Button: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo.

      If that doesn’t work, connect the iPad to iTunes on a computer–Mac or PC and see if iTunes recognizes your iPad.

      The computer does NOT need to be your own–it just needs to have iTunes on it.

      If iTunes sees your iPad, then try updating your iPad using iTunes.

      If these steps don’t help, let us know and we’ll walk you through additional steps.

      Liz

      Reply
  22. Stephen Jarvela says

    June 6, 2019 at 10:05 AM

    My iPad Pro will freeze, start opening and closing apps and does not respond to any touch. I reboot it and it will work for a short period then repeat earlier symptoms. Got to the point where I would reboot and it would not respond to any touch after start up. Effectively an expensive paper weight.

    On my iPad Pro it appears to be hardware related.

    I placed my iPad on an ice pack and upon getting very cold it now has been working…
    After w while when the ice pack stared to warm up the symptoms returned.

    Poor contact or a micro fracture in a ribbon can easily cause problems that will seem to go away when cooled to the point when contraction from cooling makes a solid connection. Time will tell if this works…

    Reply
  23. Patrick Granahan says

    January 23, 2019 at 7:38 AM

    My iPad (model A 1822) will not download emails. Screen shows number of emails but they will not download. Yes I am connected to internet.
    iPad will search and download search requests.
    I did try shutting down iPad using two different methods but neither worked.
    I Hague been trying for 3 days with no results……frustrated…..HELP !

    Reply
  24. Mary says

    January 14, 2019 at 12:23 AM

    My screen won’t autocorrect when I move it to vertical.

    Reply
  25. Peggy Distefano says

    January 13, 2019 at 9:01 AM

    How do I reset a frozen iPad when trying to slide the power off button wouldn’t even slide?

    It had a full charge and I had to wait hours till it was totally depleted so it would shut itself off.

    I hope there is an easier way to fix this problem in the future.

    Thank you

    Reply
    • SK says

      January 13, 2019 at 9:54 AM

      Hi Peggy,

      Try a forced restart by pressing BOTH the Home and Power buttons at the same time and maintain this hold until you see the Apple Logo on-screen.

      If your iPad uses iOS 11 and above, there is also a way to shut down via the Settings App. Go to Settings > General > Shut Down.

      Liz

      Reply
  26. Sarrmitha says

    July 23, 2018 at 9:15 PM

    My iPad mini keeps jamming TERRIBLY NONE STOP!!!! The screen keeps going up n down its complicated to explain but please help me

    Reply
    • SK says

      July 24, 2018 at 9:49 AM

      Hi Sarmitha,

      Sorry to hear about your problems ith your iPad Mini. That’s truly awful.

      If you haven’t performed a force restart, try that. Press and hold both the Home and Power buttons together at the same time. Maintain holding both these buttons until you see the Apple Logo on-screen, then release.

      If you’ve tried that already, turn on your iPad and let it charge completely down–don’t plug it into power. If you can use it, great! Just play some videos back to back until it’s powers off. If you can’t use it, just let it discharge on its own–that may take awhile.

      After it fully discharges, perform another force restart. Then, plug it in and let it charge for at least 12-16 hours uninterrupted.

      See if that helps your issue.

      Sam

      Reply
  27. Charles says

    July 5, 2018 at 1:55 AM

    I have IPad 2 ,recently my pc stopped working and now I have my partner laptop.Yesterday I tried to download ITunes on laptop so that I can do some transfers.photos were ok but with PDFs the IPad Sync on iPad was grayed out.after a coulpe of try’s a window appeared saying that I need to connect my IPad with iTunes so that I could sync.This page General > wifi sync is completely freezes. I tried to Sleep \Power button pressing together,it worked but the page is still frozen. WHat can I do ??

    Reply
    • SK says

      July 5, 2018 at 9:47 AM

      Hi Charles,

      Sorry to hear about your PC problems and now your iPad 2!

      First, on your iPad close all open and suspended apps by double pressing the Home Button and swiping up off the top of the screen all the app previews. Swipe on each and every one until all you see is your Home Screen with no open/suspended apps.

      On your PC, close iTunes.

      Next, restart your iPad normally (not a forced restart) by pressing the power button and sliding it off. Wait about 1 minute, and then power back on.

      Now, instead of connecting your iPad via WiFi Sync, try connecting your iPad to the PC via the lightning cable (the same cable that connects to your iPad Charger.)

      Once you connect the iPad, open iTunes on the PC. Now see if you can sync all your data, including PDFs.

      If the problem persists, let us know

      Sam

      Reply
  28. Joan Ward says

    April 30, 2018 at 8:23 AM

    When I tap on my bank app it don’t do anything

    Reply
    • SK says

      April 30, 2018 at 10:03 AM

      Hi Joan,

      Please close all open apps by double pressing your iPad’s Home Button and then swiping up (off the top of your screen) on all the app previews until no app previews remain. Then, force restart your iPad by pressing both the Home and Power buttons at the same time and maintain holding these two buttons until the Apple Logo appears on screen, then release.

      After force restarting, open the App Store and update any apps listed as needing an update. After all apps update, try the bank app again.

      Hopefully this works for you,

      SK

      Reply
  29. LINDA SHOOBRIDGE says

    April 24, 2018 at 5:14 AM

    Hi
    My I pad is switching on ok but when I try and select an app/programme the screen goes black?
    Thanks
    Linda

    Reply
    • SK says

      April 24, 2018 at 9:29 AM

      Hi Linda,

      Sorry to hear about your iPad going black when launching an app. Have you tried a forced restart on your iPad yet? If not, give this a try and see if it helps:

      1. Press and hold both the Home button and the Power button simultaneously
      2. Maintain this hold until you see the Apple Logo on-screen
      3. Release both buttons at the same time

      Once your iPad restarts and you get your Home Screen, double press the Home button to see all the current apps that are open via an app preview. Press and swipe up on each and every App preview to close all your open apps. Do this until no more apps show. Once done, restart your iPad normally by powering off and then powering back on again.

      Now try and open an app. Hopefully, it works!

      If the problem persists, let us know

      SK

      Reply
      • My free cell app is frozen. Your tips did not help. How do I "unfreeze it? says

        April 30, 2018 at 1:46 PM

        My free cell app is frozen. It will not let me delete. What’s the fix?

        Reply
        • SK says

          May 1, 2018 at 8:51 AM

          Hi Tom,

          Try closing the app first and then delete it (if you wish to.) To fully close an app, double press your Home button or swipe up the Home Gesture Bar, then locate the app preview for your free cell app. Swipe it up off the top of your screen to close it. Then restart your device normally. After the restart, delete the app or launch it and see if it’s working again.

          SK

          Reply
  30. D H Pugh says

    March 3, 2018 at 2:26 AM

    Having trouble w ith Webb page keeps showing message (trouble loading Webb page reloading and this is happening with lots Webb pages and when I go on my computer no problems with these Webb pages lucky for me this apple tablet was bought for me can’t read any news because it freezes then the same old message having to reload Webb page my nephew has a Samsung tablet no trouble at all.So going to throw this tablet in the bin and buy a samsung fed up owner of a Apple Tablet.
    Would not mind the odd occasion Webb page but this is rediculas

    Reply
  31. the boss says

    February 15, 2018 at 4:16 PM

    tried everything the screen only responds to touch near the top

    Reply
    • SK says

      February 16, 2018 at 8:34 AM

      Hi Boss,

      Sorry to hear about your iPad having issues. Are you seeing your iPad’s scree or is it black? When it responds to your touch at the top, what exactly happens?

      First, get rid of any case and screen protector if you have those on your iPad. Wipe the screen clean with a microfiber cloth or glass cleaning wipe. Then perform a forced restart by pressing and holding both the Home and Power buttons until you see the Apple Logo on-screen, then release.

      Have you tried connecting it to iTunes to see if iTunes recognizes your iPad?

      If you don’t see the screen at all or parts of the screen only, we’re suspecting that your screen cable or connector has become loose, damaged, or misaligned–if that’s the case, iTunes should recongize your device normally. If you determine that the likely suspect is the screen cable or connector, then your iPad needs a hardware repair. Contact Apple Support, an Apple Certified Repair Center, or visit an Apple Store for further inspection and guidance.

      If the screen is showing but not responsive, it’s possible that a factory restore will help.

      Connect your device to the computer you have it synced with via the syncing/charging cable.

        Open iTunes
        Plug your iPad into the computer’s port
        Select your iPad in iTunes
        If iTunes recongizes your iPad, perform a backup and then click Check for Updates. If an update is available, move forward with updating via iTunes (make sure you backed up first in the previous step)
        If iTunes does not recognize your device, force restart it by pressing Home and Power at the same time until you see the iTunes logo on the iPad’s screen OR you see a message in iTunes to Update or Restore. Try updating and follow the on-screen instructions. If updating doesn’t work, choose Restore and follow the on-screen directions (you will lose your data with this method if you don’t have a backup

      If nothing works, contact Apple and ask for a device inspection and for them to run diagnostics.

      Keep us posted,

      SK

      Reply
  32. liz says

    January 29, 2018 at 5:48 PM

    my ipad is not completely responding rn the prob is that some places respond ans some not now those places who doesnt respond make unable to even unlock the ipad

    Reply
  33. Patrick Basel says

    December 27, 2017 at 8:35 AM

    When i hold down the home and the turn on button for 10-15 sec on the ipad. It didnt turn on i just keep beening frozen.

    Reply
    • SK says

      December 28, 2017 at 2:02 PM

      Hi Patrick,

      Sorry about your iPad troubles with powering on. First, plug in your iPad to a wall outlet and let it charge up for a few hours. Then, try a normal restart by pressing just the power button. If that doesn’t work, try a forced restart by pressing both the Home and Power buttons and maintain this hold until the Apple Logo appears on screen–this might take longer than you think–keep that hold for at least 30 seconds OR until you see the Apple Logo. Then release.

      If after 30 seconds, you still don’t see the Apple Logo, try using recovery mode. See if that helps.

      SK

      Reply
  34. Max says

    December 24, 2017 at 6:29 AM

    My iPad photos have stopped syncing with my I phone and MacBook Air laptop.How do I fix this please

    Reply
    • SK says

      December 25, 2017 at 9:36 AM

      Hi Max,

      Sorry about your troubles with your iPad. What you describe sounds like a problem with iCloud and your Apple ID. Check that you are signed into these with the same Apple ID and that your Photos App preferences are set up to sync everything you want.

      If all settings look correct, try toggling iCloud Photo Library off and then back on to refresh the sync.

      SK

      Reply
  35. ns says

    November 21, 2017 at 5:18 PM

    Thank you so much. I restarted my ipad by using your tips. Now my keyboard works. Thank you!!!

    Reply
  36. Joyce Reitz says

    November 19, 2017 at 4:03 PM

    Thank you so much, tip #2 worked and “unstuck” my ipad mini. Glad you have this site to check for answers to questions.

    Reply
  37. umma says

    October 20, 2017 at 9:08 AM

    Thanks for this tips . The second tip work perfectly.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      October 20, 2017 at 9:19 AM

      Umma,

      Awesome! Thanks for letting us know.

      Liz

      Reply
  38. Kyle cyrus says

    September 29, 2017 at 9:40 AM

    I tried many times the push and hold the power and hold button and wait until the apple logo will appear …but it was not fix my iPad still at the logo screen….sorry for my bad English please respond ASAP

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      September 29, 2017 at 12:01 PM

      Hi Kyle,

      Sorry to hear about your issues. Please make sure you are pressing the Home and Power buttons at the same time. If that’s what you already did, first, charge your iPad using the wall charger (not computer) for at least one hour. After that hour, connect your iPad to a computer with iTunes (if you don’t have a computer, ask a family member or friend and use theirs. If that’s not possible, any Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider will let you use one of their computers with iTunes installed.) After connecting your iPad to iTunes, perform another forced restart by pressing and holding power button AND home button at the same time–this time DO NOT release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Wait until you see the iTunes Recovery Screen. This is a picture of th iTunes logo and a cable trying to connect to it.

      Once you see the options in iTunes to restore or update, choose Update. iTunes tries to reinstall your iOS without erasing your data.

      Learn more about recovery options in this article.

      Good luck,

      Liz

      Reply
  39. Scomoth Daredevi says

    June 26, 2017 at 7:08 AM

    Tip 2 worked for me , thx pal

    Reply
  40. Nonna says

    June 5, 2017 at 3:49 PM

    i tried updating my iPad and it is frozen. i have tried all the steps above and nothing has worked. i will try the other steps saying to plug into my mac but will i lose all of my pictures and apps on my iPad?

    Reply
    • SK says

      June 5, 2017 at 4:34 PM

      Hi Nonna,

      Please take a look at this more in-depth article and see if these tips get your iPad unstuck! Just connecting your iPad to iTunes will not result in any data loss. However, if iTunes wants you to restore the iPad and if you do not have a backup available, you do lose data.

      So it’s important to try everything else before restoring your iPad. And when you do get it working again, don’t forget to backup using iCloud or iTunes (or preferably both!).

      Keep us posted,

      Sk

      Reply
  41. Linda Hampton says

    May 31, 2017 at 3:01 PM

    Thanks so much! I was really worried my iPad would never work again.

    Reply
  42. Phil R says

    May 23, 2017 at 12:22 PM

    Thank You, option #2 worked

    Reply
  43. Rosemary Mitchell says

    January 30, 2017 at 12:45 PM

    Thankyou, option 2 has worked for me too Rosie

    Reply
  44. carole says

    January 18, 2017 at 11:40 AM

    Thank you, fix 2 saved me too

    Reply
  45. Mark1994n says

    January 18, 2017 at 10:19 AM

    Hey, thanks for the help tip #2 worked for me 🙂

    Reply
  46. Efua says

    December 31, 2016 at 1:48 AM

    Oh my God, I nearly had a heart attack because i couldn’t access my screen for over 24 hours and this helped. God bless you.. Happy New Year

    Reply
  47. patrick says

    December 27, 2016 at 11:44 PM

    omg ur a life saver 😀 thx for your help

    Reply
  48. Louise Caser says

    November 12, 2016 at 9:00 AM

    It worked for me (holding the off and home button at the same time. Thanks!!!!

    Reply
  49. isaac sombke says

    November 10, 2016 at 9:16 PM

    My Ipad is frozen on youtube, I tried activating siri, bit it automatically shuts off siri, and I try to press the home button but that doesn’t either, and every time that I try to off the Ipad and turn it back on again, it is still on youtube and I can’t do anything else, what does this mean and how can I get rid of it?

    Reply
  50. Jeffrey Farrell says

    October 21, 2016 at 4:00 AM

    I do not know who you are, but you are wonderful. My ipad works again!

    Reply
  51. Ruchi says

    August 4, 2016 at 7:18 AM

    This morning suddenly our ipad stopped responding. We Tried to force restart , didn’t work.

    We were thinking to take our ipad to apple store . Or else thinking to wait till it totally shuts down.

    But while searching i found ur post. 2nd step worked for us. Thank you

    Reply
  52. Bella says

    July 27, 2016 at 3:15 PM

    it worked! thanks alot. I tried resseting it by pressing the sleep/ wake and home button at the same time, but it took alot longe rthan usual. try pressing it down for about 30 seconds. Maybe this will help.

    Reply
  53. mary says

    July 25, 2016 at 8:43 AM

    my I pad is frozen it says it is charging but its not. before it froze it wouldn’t let me go into apps or send messages and its not turning on or off. I got it Christmas 2016.

    Reply
  54. Praveen says

    July 12, 2016 at 7:25 AM

    Thanks, Hold down the Home and Power buttons at the same time works fine.

    Reply
  55. Leila Arbuthnot says

    June 29, 2016 at 4:52 PM

    I accidently hit the home button twice and now I have this weird voice that keeps repeating the date or some other phrases. I can’t access the main screen I have turned it off and back on and the ‘voice’ is still there and I can access anything. Please help!

    Reply
  56. Emily Sans says

    June 5, 2016 at 5:22 AM

    My iPod isn’t turning on , and the apple logo isn’t coming up . I tried holding down the home button and on/off button but it doesn’t work , please help

    Reply
  57. Patricia says

    April 2, 2016 at 8:06 AM

    Apple iPad air frozen with an iTunes logo and arrow , happens when Up dating I don’t even use iTunes . Any help.please

    Reply
  58. chandra banerji says

    April 2, 2016 at 12:48 AM

    my i pad is enabled ? i cant restart it. it wanted password after update.i gave them .it did not match.now it is totally stopped .please help?

    Reply
  59. Che says

    March 3, 2016 at 1:12 AM

    Work for me thank u…

    Reply
  60. Kaity says

    February 14, 2016 at 9:29 AM

    This doesn’t help its frozen will not move at all

    Reply
  61. Ju says

    February 8, 2016 at 12:24 PM

    I pad 2 froze so pressed on/off and home buttons together. When to blank screen then shows iTunes logo and lead.

    Reply
  62. Kendra Marshall says

    January 19, 2016 at 5:00 PM

    I was playing Minecraft and my iPad mini froze and I tried to power it off and it didn’t work it has been like this for 24 hours and when I finally am able to turn the screen on I can only slide up and down and I can’t use any apps at all I got it on Xmas in 2014

    Reply
  63. Dilshan Fonseka says

    December 10, 2015 at 8:37 PM

    Thank you so much..
    It was worked for me….

    Reply
  64. emmanuel says

    December 5, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    Thanks it worked, by holding sleep/wake and home button at the same time….

    Reply
  65. zah says

    November 22, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    None of the suggestion works for me. I hold both button, does not work. I connect to my laptop and turn on the itune, Nothing shows up about the ipad. I charge it for an hour. It does not work. Help me what to do.

    Reply
  66. Juby brilata says

    October 18, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    My ipad mini ‘s right side is freezing,no matter how many times i restored it,It didnt work,what should i do!!?? Pls oh pls

    Reply
  67. Sam says

    October 13, 2015 at 4:41 AM

    My ipad air is dead. Tried all the suggestions re holding buttons etc. Nothing! Just a black screen.

    Reply
  68. Exportedfish55 says

    October 9, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    I was using my IPad around 12:00 P.M. I turned it off and went to eat some lunch when I came back and turned it on I couldn’t slide to unlock so i tried to turn it off by holding the sleep button and power it all the way off but it wouldn’t even respond to slide the power button off. I have owned this IPad for roughly around 2 years and it worked perfectly till now so if someone could please help me it would be very well appreciated.

    Reply
  69. nimra mir says

    October 8, 2015 at 7:04 PM

    Thank you. It worked.

    Reply
  70. hailey says

    October 6, 2015 at 1:22 AM

    Thankyou for all your help it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  71. Jenny says

    October 4, 2015 at 8:41 AM

    Thank you holding the two buttons together worked.

    Reply
  72. fun303 says

    October 4, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    OMG thank u so much!!!

    Reply
  73. Anoymus says

    October 2, 2015 at 11:17 PM

    thanks helped me alot

    Reply
  74. Betty Brown says

    October 1, 2015 at 9:03 AM

    I was doing the IOS update and my ipad got frozen. After about 30 minutes, I tried turning it off and back on. Is now stuck on the iTunes icon screen with an icon of the power cord. Opened iTunes on my computer, plugged usb into computer, then held the home button and plugged into ipad. ITunes does not recognize my ipad. Tried using find my ipad on my iPhone, but it says the ipad is offline. I have tried numerous times using the home button and the power button at the same time. Always comes back to the iTunes icon screen. Any suggestions of anything else I can try?

    Reply
    • Mike says

      October 11, 2015 at 6:31 PM

      My iPad does the same thing. Did anyone help you on this?

      Reply
  75. Bill says

    October 1, 2015 at 3:42 AM

    I reset my settings on ipad2 after iOS 9 because running very slow. Well it got to the logo and about 5% on the progress bar and just hangs there. I hooked it up to the computer and performed an update. Everything normal here but it goes back finishing the reset and shows logo with progress bar again and cannot get past 5%. I hope I don’t have to restore it since u have funeral pics in it not backed up. Any suggestions

    Reply
  76. Denis says

    September 22, 2015 at 3:29 PM

    My i-pad isn’t working now. I was trying to update my i-pad to iOS9, it’s an i-pad 2. And after a successful download, it requested for and upgrade and the screen just goes blank. Its all white and frozen. Presently my i-pad isn’t working.

    Reply
  77. jackie says

    September 19, 2015 at 1:19 PM

    Ok so im stuck on siri my home button in the middle is doing nothing my sleep button will not let me restart it just turns black thing is siri works fine i just cant press anything on my screen like its not responding to touch how can i fix this myself i have a windows xp

    Reply
  78. Ieuan says

    August 11, 2015 at 12:59 AM

    Worked first time *****

    Reply
  79. Swaby says

    August 5, 2015 at 5:15 PM

    I have tried these steps numerous times and did the update through iTunes. Now it just shows the apple on the screen and won’t restart. Occasionally if I do the hard reboot, the home screen will flash and then it disappears quickly and it is back to apple. I don’t want to do the restore with iTunes because I don’t want to lose my files. I have tried the update through iTunes and was very hopeful, but still no luck. Please help.

    Reply
  80. andrew says

    July 31, 2015 at 4:20 AM

    my iPad has a glitched front screen and is frozen need help

    Reply
    • andrew says

      July 31, 2015 at 4:21 AM

      i ment to say front screen is frozen

      Reply
  81. V says

    July 21, 2015 at 3:11 PM

    It worked!!!

    Reply
  82. Joie says

    July 10, 2015 at 7:20 PM

    I was fully freaking out and going into panic attack mode! It wasn’t working, the regular stuff was not responding and then I tapped it on the back while it was upside down and pretwnded like I was taking a screen shot but holding both buttons down. IT CAME BACK ON! This was after a full day of not working! Thanks so much for the help!

    Reply
  83. Kayode says

    June 16, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    I had iPad (32GB) purchased from cousin. It was not reset when I purchased it. I later purchased iPad2 (64GB). I do serious work on it (iPad2) and don’t want my daughter messing things up, so I left her the iPad (32GB). It came to a head when the memory became full and I also could not upgrade the iOS. I could not delete my cousin’s pictures, music, films and games (because I don’t have his password). I gave it to him recently to reset. He did, but I haven’t been able to restart it. When I connected it to my PC (Lenovo Core 13), 3 ports out of 4 report that the USB malfunctioned and windows does not recognize it. The 4th port says nothing and the iTune logo and USB cable images remain on the iPad’s screen. I’ve tried all the combinations of HOME and RESET botton options, nothing works. Pls help.

    Reply
  84. Ron says

    May 29, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    iPad won’t turn off hold both buttons it switches between home and search about every 10 seconds What can I do?

    Reply
  85. Brigit says

    May 1, 2015 at 6:00 PM

    My iPad has a white box on screen stating
    iCloud backup
    This iPad hadn’t been backed up in 27 weeks. Backups happen when this iPad is plugged in, locked, and connected to WIFI

    Now, my iPad is always connected to wifi, I always slide the lock as it asks when I plug it in .
    It will not let me shut the system down. I can’t do anything!!!!
    Can someone help me out?

    Reply
  86. Nikhil says

    April 21, 2015 at 8:48 PM

    thanks for your idea my ipad is now safe

    Reply
  87. Jose Sandoval says

    March 16, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    Thanks SERHAT KURT,
    Issue: IPAD FROZEN, NOT RESPONDING, HOW TO FIX

    I Try this tip:: If tip above does not work, try resetting your iPad. To do this, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time until you see the Apple logo.

    It worked.

    3/16/2015

    Reply
  88. Mika Piirto says

    March 16, 2015 at 7:05 AM

    Iused iPad mini at evening. Put it into charger. In the morning it didnt start at all. Backside was warm like 50′ c. Battery dead? Battery life has been going down fast.

    Reply
  89. Evan Demos says

    March 8, 2015 at 9:29 AM

    Good tips. Thank you. I tried restarting (hold sleep/wake button) several times. No luck. I tried resetting (hold sleep/wake button and home button simultaneously). No luck. After reading your article, I decided to try resetting again, except this time I held and held and held the sleep/wake button and home button. It took almost thirty seconds, but the Apple logo finally showed up. I let it go. It took almost 60 seconds to restart. Some process must have been eating up all the processor’s time, but it seems to be working fine now. So, again, thanks.

    Reply
  90. Fatoumka says

    March 5, 2015 at 1:09 AM

    Hi all,
    I bought my Ipad Air 2 in January 2015. Last night i plugged it to charge, when i woke up this morning, the IPAD was completely dead! Black screen, inresponsive, wont turn on. I tried a different charger and plugged it to a different power socket, same result. Please advice.
    Thanks

    Reply
  91. Laura says

    February 12, 2015 at 3:57 PM

    I was using my iPad mini as it was charging (at about 68% charge) in the wall, left it for a few minutes, then when I went to use it again the screen was black, it was off. I left it charging hoping it would eventually come back on and it didn’t I tried turning it on using the button at the top – didn’t work. I tried resetting it by holding the home button and the power button at the top – didn’t work. I tried plugging it into my macbook, but it doesn’t show up in iTunes at all and still won’t respond when I try turning it on/resetting it. I’ve had this iPad mini for just over a year and have never had a problem with it. I use it almost daily. What is the problem? How do I fix this?

    Reply
    • Allan jones says

      September 8, 2015 at 7:40 AM

      My iPad suddenly went black with 65 percent power. Dose not appear to charge. Appears dead what can I do

      Reply
  92. kwasib says

    February 11, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    I was using my iPad then it suddenly froze when then I pressed de sleep button then it turn black but when I press de home button siri answers what should I do

    Reply
  93. ashley says

    January 3, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    I tried to update a game and then it froze.Thank you so so so much. I had no clue what to do. It worked wonderfully. Will doing this hurt anything on the iPad?

    Reply
  94. Neil says

    December 24, 2014 at 6:27 AM

    Just replaced screen on iPad now nothing is working done full restore and only Sri is working anyone help??

    Reply
  95. Taylor says

    November 8, 2014 at 9:26 PM

    My iPad won’t sence my touch, randomly it does this atleast 2 times a week, I’m getting very frustrated to the point I want to smash it to pieces with a hammer! Wtf do I do?! I’m loosing my patients!!!!!

    Reply
  96. Vic says

    November 2, 2014 at 5:11 AM

    Thank you. My ipad froze up and I tried holding both buttons down as you suggested and it worked. Very grateful for the help.

    Reply
    • Larissa says

      February 13, 2015 at 9:56 AM

      Me to
      YES IT DID THANK YOU VERY MUCH THANK THE LORRDDD

      Reply
      • Aradhana says

        December 29, 2015 at 7:48 AM

        Thank you for the help …saved my day

        Reply
  97. Ina says

    October 22, 2014 at 5:44 AM

    I tried to reset my iPad Air and it frozed. What should I do???

    Reply
  98. Moriah says

    July 15, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    I dont know what to do. When i go to turn on my ipad it lights up but the screen stays black. I have tryed all of these things but it doesnt work. I dont have an apple store near me either

    Reply
    • Cookie says

      March 6, 2015 at 7:27 PM

      Is frozen white my I pad for the last 2 hrs

      Reply
  99. Mark Villanueva says

    July 12, 2014 at 2:10 AM

    Im so thankful of your advice, i thought my ipad is going to the pot hehehe

    Reply
  100. shaylee says

    June 16, 2014 at 1:03 AM

    this acctually works thank peps

    Reply
  101. Glenn says

    May 6, 2014 at 12:37 AM

    I was minimizing the screen shot and iPad 2 froze, both buttons do not respond. Fully charged battery, no black screen, only half minimized screen. Will not reset, no apple logo, no slide bar, do you have any suggestions, please?

    Reply
  102. Deepak says

    February 20, 2014 at 10:31 PM

    It’s simple! I was suffering from the same problem as well. But I myself found a good solution. Here it is….
    1) Connect Ipod/Ipad to Itunes on the computer.
    2) Go to Organize> Folder & Search Options> View> Show Hidden Files & Folders.
    3) Now open My Computer. Select your device and open it.
    4) Go to Ipod/Ipad_Control> Device>
    5) In Device folder you can see _Locked file. Just Delete it.
    6) Now Disconnect the device and Enjoy…

    Reply
    • Faith says

      October 30, 2014 at 6:28 PM

      will apps,pictures, and etc. not be deleted?

      Reply
      • Faith says

        October 30, 2014 at 7:02 PM

        is organize located in Itunes? i cannot find it in Itunes the organzie where is it located all I can see is organize library

        Reply
  103. Kalle says

    January 17, 2014 at 11:27 PM

    Thank You! I was surfing a lot of sites to find this easy solution…

    Reply
  104. Janine says

    January 4, 2014 at 6:00 AM

    My iPad was not responding at all. I plug into computer and opened iTunes. My iPad was showing so I tried running update. I was then able to press the Wake button & home button at same time and it came on! All good now!

    Reply
  105. Jia says

    December 11, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    My iPad screen is black and when I press the turn on. Jetton it won’t turn on it is still black but when I hold the home button Siri comes up so it can’t be no battery I also tried holding the home and silent but it still did not work what do I do???

    Reply
    • Moriah says

      July 15, 2014 at 8:00 PM

      THATS WHAT MINE IS DOING! I dont know what to do

      Reply
    • Katlynn says

      October 17, 2015 at 6:52 PM

      Hold the power and home button till the apple comes up

      Reply
      • oliver says

        March 4, 2016 at 5:30 PM

        holy sheet thank u

        Reply
  106. Tonya says

    November 30, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    my Ipad has a voice telling me that the curtain is down? what is this and how do I get it backup? all I have is a black screen and this voice? help please

    Reply
  107. jsjdjx says

    October 22, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    Plz answer cos if my parents know that I broke it they will kill me

    Reply
  108. jsjdjx says

    October 22, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    My ipad.is not working I did loke yo said but it didn’t work each time i put in the charge it gives a blue light than its turns off again

    Reply
    • walter pasifull says

      April 26, 2015 at 10:39 PM

      My ipad air was changed for a new one at your apple store in stratford last week
      but not it keeps going to a all red screen and switching off
      it then starts again then red screen again and off

      Reply
  109. arun jain says

    October 5, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    *I pad

    Reply
  110. arun jain says

    October 5, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    The home button nd the touch of my up as isn’t working!
    Can u expect some solutions!?

    Reply
  111. Yulia Sushkina says

    October 4, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    Resetting worked ! Thanks!

    Reply
  112. Keena says

    September 20, 2013 at 11:25 PM

    Thanks!!!! this worked!

    Reply
    • Shanice says

      August 9, 2015 at 3:11 AM

      My ipad was working fine yesterday and all off a sudden It froze so I pressed the sleep home button and it wouldn’t respond what do I do?

      Reply
      • Alia says

        September 20, 2015 at 2:53 AM

        Same thing happened with me happened this morning so not fare I can’t use it know I need to fix it it is the same what happened to you on my iPad mini

        Reply
  113. Russ says

    August 23, 2013 at 1:48 AM

    Frozen 20 minutes don’t turn off not responding to any off your suggestion . Less then a year old.

    Reply
    • Lorna says

      May 12, 2015 at 3:06 PM

      ThaNKS IT WORKED MINE WAS FROZEN ALSO….

      Reply
      • Caitlyn r says

        August 15, 2015 at 7:58 PM

        Nothing is working for me,it doesn’t show up on iTunes,doesn’t work when I charge it for more than an hour!!!! Help me please!!!!!

        Reply
      • Caitlyn r says

        August 15, 2015 at 7:58 PM

        Nothing is working for me,it doesn’t show up on iTunes,doesn’t work when I charge it for more than an hour,and it doesn’t work when I hold the sleep/wake and home butting help me please!!! I bought this with my own money I don’t want to have to rebye it

        Reply
    • Susan says

      February 4, 2016 at 11:53 AM

      iPad Frozen for hours — none of the suggestions work,

      Reply
  114. Harb says

    July 19, 2013 at 3:39 AM

    Pressing button in the middle does nothing. When top sleep/walk pressed red slider screen appears. If I press cancel the screen goes blank. If red slider pressed iPad turns off. This is all that’s happening every time. Please help. iPad bought in jan 2013.

    Reply
    • hacker says

      December 26, 2013 at 11:57 AM

      have to tryed ejecting ur ipd ona computer and restoring . it then back up to ivoud . then all wil be fine

      Reply
    • Madison Potts says

      October 2, 2015 at 6:19 PM

      All fixed after restarting the Ipad Mini Thanks Apple!!! I now can get back to Minecraft PE!!!

      Reply
  115. sola says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:41 PM

    My Ipad not booting showing Itunes logo, was trying to update the software. what do i do?

    Reply
    • Anghs says

      October 16, 2015 at 9:39 AM

      worked for me thanks

      Reply
    • Rubi says

      November 21, 2015 at 6:57 AM

      I have another IPad Air 2 and it froze on the home screen so I can’t do anything except talk to Siri and try to restart it. When I hold the on off button it shows the slider and I can’t slide it. When I talk to Siri I ask her to take me to an app that on that iPad and she asked me for my password and when she shows me the keyboard for typing in my password I can’t type it in. Someone PLEASE help

      Reply

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