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You are here: Home / iPad / iPad Troubleshooting, How To Fix Your iPad Problems

iPad Troubleshooting, How To Fix Your iPad Problems

By SK 33 comments Last updated March 31, 2021

Having issues and problems with your iPad? Sadly, at one time or another, all of us iFolk run into an error, bug, or just plain Apple-weirdness. And we need to do some iPad troubleshooting NOW.

If this sounds like you or a loved one, fear not!  You are most certainly NOT alone. Apple ToolBox is at the ready, to work through some of your problems and hopefully get everything back to working order.

Periodically, our team here runs into trouble with our iDevices and iPads.

Contents

    • So to assist us all, we compiled a list of common symptoms and basic iPad troubleshooting tips!
  • General iPad Troubleshooting Tips and Maintenance
  • iPad Symptoms and Cures
    • Symptom: Why won’t my iPad turn on?
    • Check Out Our Video Tips for iPads Not Turning On (Dead)
    • Symptom:  Why is my iPad not responding or slow to respond to my touch?
    • Symptom: Why cant I install the latest iOS /iPadOS update on iPad?
    • Symptom: Why isn’t my iPad showing up in iTunes when connected?
    • Symptom: My WiFi connection doesn’t work on my iPad, how do I fix it?
    • Symptom: Why isn’t an app or the App Store app working on my iPad?
    • Symptom: Why is my iPad not charging or is charging very slow?
    • Symptom: How do I stop my iPad battery from draining?
    • Symptom: My iPad is stuck in a reboot loop! How do I fix my iPad from restarting?

So to assist us all, we compiled a list of common symptoms and basic iPad troubleshooting tips!

These tips are suitable for all iPad models, from the oldest to the newest.iPad troubleshooting, How to fix your iPad problems

Related Articles

  • My iPad will not turn on: How to fix a dead device
  • Black or Blank Screen on iPad or iPhone
  • iPad running slow? How to speed up a slow iPad
  • iPad Frozen, Not Responding, How To Fix
  • Reset Your iPad Back To Factory Settings

General iPad Troubleshooting Tips and Maintenance

  • Make sure that you update your iPad to the latest version of iPad OS. You can check this under Settings > General > Software Update.
  • Open the App Store and check and see if any of your apps have updates.  If so, update your apps too.
  • Make sure that your battery is fully charged and then Optimize Settings for More Battery Power
    • To improve battery life, you can turn off the feature that allows apps to refresh in the background. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and set the switch to Off.
    • If the Mail app lists Background Activity, you can choose to fetch data manually or increase the fetch interval.
  • Clean Your iPad’s Screen–your know it’s time when your iPad has more fingerprints than pixels.
  • Delete any apps you no longer use or never used!
  • BackUp–just in case you ever need it.
  • Free-Up Space with an iPad Spring Cleaning–yeah, it’s that important we should do this at least once a year and preferably MORE.

iPad Symptoms and Cures

Symptom: Why won’t my iPad turn on?

Turn your iPad off and on

  • On an iPad with no Home Button and iPhones X or later: press and hold the Side/Top/Power button and either volume button until the slider appears how to restart an iPad with no home button
  • On an iPad or iPhone with a Home Button and iPod Touch: press and hold the Side/Top/Power button until the slider appears.
  • Drag the slider to turn the device off and after the device turns off, press and hold that Side/Top/Power button again until you see the Apple Logo. how to turn on iPad
  • With iOS 11 and above, restart using Settings > General > Shut Down.iOS 11 Setting to Shut Down iPhone

Reset or force restart your iPad

  • On an iPad with no Home Button and iPhones 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and immediately release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Side/Top/Power button until the device restarts.how to force restart an iPad with no home button
  • On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad with a Home Button, or iPod touch: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo

Check Out Our Video Tips for iPads Not Turning On (Dead)

My iPad will not turn on: How to fix a dead device

 

Symptom:  Why is my iPad not responding or slow to respond to my touch?

  • It may be that your screen is dirty. Try cleaning your screen.
  • To do this, unplug everything, turn off iPad (see above), then with a very soft, lint-free and slightly damp cloth gently wipe the screen. Do NOT use window cleaners and paper towels.
  • If you have any screen protector sheet, try removing it.

Symptom: Why cant I install the latest iOS /iPadOS update on iPad?

If you were able to download the iOS update but the install button is grayed out, you may be missing one of these:

  • The iPad must be charged to over 50%.
  • Low Power Mode must be OFF.
  • You cannot be connected through VPN.
  • You must have a Wi-Fi connection (not cellular).

Symptom: Why isn’t my iPad showing up in iTunes when connected?

  • Check that your Lightning port is clear of any dusty, debris, or dirt.
  • Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.
  • iPad requires USB 2.0 or higher to function properly. Unplug your iPad from your computer, and plug it into a different USB port.
  • Turn your iPad off and on.
  • Disconnect your iPad from your computer, then turn your computer off and on and reconnect.
  • Especially for Windows users, if the above steps do not resolve your issue, uninstall iTunes entirely and then reinstall the latest version of iTunes.
  • If you are on macOS Catalina on your MacBook, you will need to use Finder to sync or restore your iPad.

iPad troubleshooting, How to fix your iPad problems

Symptom: My WiFi connection doesn’t work on my iPad, how do I fix it?

  • Turn WiFi off and then on by tapping Settings > Wi-Fi.
  • Make sure that your Wi-Fi router and the modem is on.
  • Update your Wi-Fi software to the latest version..
  • Turn your iPad off and on by holding the On/Off button until “slide to power off” shows.
  • Turn your Wi-Fi router off and on.
  • Change your DNS settings to use Google’s Public DNS of 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Learn more about how changing your DNS improves performance.
  • Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings and reset your network settings.

reset network settings

Why is my regular Wi-Fi password not working after updating to iPadOS 13 or above? Check these tips for fixing Wi-Fi issues on iOS 13 / iPadOS+.

Symptom: Why isn’t an app or the App Store app working on my iPad?

  • Update your iPad to the latest iOS version.
  • Check to see if there is an update for your app, if there is, update (App Store > Updates).
  • Only one app with issues? Try closing the app by double pressing Home or swiping up the Home Gesture Bar and swiping up on the problem app’s preview to close it. Then relaunch that app and see if it works normally.close app on iPhone iOS 12
  • Turn your iPad off and on.
  • Force restart your iPad by pressing both the home and power buttons and maintain this hold until you see the Apple logo on the screen. Then release the buttons and the iPad restarts.
  • Remove the app. You may want to backup before removing any app. Tap and hold on the app icon until the icons start to wiggle. Just tap the “x” button to delete an app. After removing the app, go to the App Store and reinstall it.

iPad troubleshooting, How to fix your iPad problems

 

Symptom: Why is my iPad not charging or is charging very slow?

  • To charge your iPad, you can try either connecting your iPad to a power outlet or connecting to a port on your computer using the charging cable that came with your iPad.
  • Computers generally don’t supply enough power to their USB ports to be able to charge an iPad. When this happens, a  “Not Charging” message appears.
  • Check that your Lightning Port on both your iPad and your charger is clean and clear of any debris, lint, or dust

Symptom: How do I stop my iPad battery from draining?

  • Change your notification settings to Show Previews only when unlocked instead of always
  • Use headphones or earphones instead of your iPad’s speakers.
  • Turn off background app refresh. Your iPad: How to Close Apps in iOS 11
  • Turn down your iPad’s screen brightness or have your iOS manage brightness settings via Auto-BrightnessiPhone XS Display dark or dim, How-To Fix
  • Set your iPad’s Auto-Lock to 30 seconds via Display & Brightness Settings
  • Switch off the Data Roaming Setting – Even in older iPads, we have seen that the wi-fi/cellular settings can cause battery drain. Switching off the Data Roaming may help in addressing this issue.
  • If you have the Wi-Fi/Cellular iPad, tap on Settings > Cellular Data > Toggle off. Do the same for the other mobile options, i.e., Cellular Data > Cellular Data Options > Enable LTE to off and Data Roaming to off.
  • Once you have set the settings to off; next you can toggle them back to ON. This simple toggling of Cellular related options can often fix battery issues on an iPad that has both Wi-Fi and Cellular.

Sometimes the iPad consumes excessive battery if there is a process in the stuck mode

Try doing a forced restart on the iPad.

Let the device charge until 100% and then start using it and see if it made a difference to your situation.

Symptom: My iPad is stuck in a reboot loop! How do I fix my iPad from restarting?

The chances are that your iPad has insufficient battery power even to start up

Usually, iPads don’t attempt to restart until there is enough battery power.

But for you (and some unlucky others), something is telling the iPad to try to boot even though the battery can’t last long enough to finish.

Hence, the loop you experience–charging a little, attempting a boot, shutting off, charging a little, trying to boot and so forth again and again.

We need to get your iPad sufficiently charged to complete a normal and full boot cycle

  • Plug the iPad into a power source. Ideally, use the charger that came with your iPad. DO NOT plug it into your computer.
  • Next, hold down the home button and the power button simultaneously for as long as you possibly can–the longer, the better–and ideally at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Holding down these two buttons prevents that loop cycle. That allows your iPad to charge up a bit. Think creatively about how to hold these buttons down for a length of time.
  • As soon as you release these buttons, your iPad tries to boot. If you don’t hold Home and Power long enough for a sufficient charge, that loop pattern continues.
  • So try and hold down these buttons for as long as possible–or create some makeshift tools to assist–keep these gentle, so they don’t cause other damage.
sudz - apple
SK( Managing Editor )

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

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Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 33 Comments

  1. Liz says

    April 24, 2022 at 6:55 AM

    Have had kindle app on my iPad for ages last night it suddenly wouldn’t open the app

    Reply
  2. Tina says

    February 18, 2022 at 3:08 PM

    I can’t get my I pad to come on all its doing is all night it show Like it’s trying to connect with internet but it won’t come on or let you turn it off

    Reply
  3. Kathy says

    January 21, 2022 at 3:44 PM

    I pad 1 just got a new charging port and now the apps won’t open

    Reply
  4. Carol says

    January 13, 2022 at 7:45 AM

    Hi how do I fix my volume as it’s so quiet when I’m on Face Time.
    Thank you

    Reply
  5. Jennie says

    January 3, 2022 at 5:27 PM

    I cannot access Facebook from my desktop icon on my iPad. I commented on a scam post then my page misted over & there is a circle buffering in the middle of the screen. How do I get my page back working by clicking the icon? luckily I can access it from my android phone. Please help.

    Reply
  6. B Winter says

    November 29, 2021 at 1:49 AM

    My i pad screen has a whire foggy appearance and you cannot see clearly

    Reply
  7. Gwen Brown says

    October 24, 2021 at 6:43 AM

    I have a new iPad and phone so gave my husband the old devices but it’s become a nightmare! My name and ID is still on the old iPad and my husband receives mail on it but can’t reply or send. It asks us to renew password but then won’t let us. We just don’t know what to do ‍♀️
    Any suggestions?

    Reply
  8. Armand Comeau says

    October 1, 2021 at 5:13 AM

    I have a iPad Pro (12.9 inch) When it’s plug in to charge on a Apple cord and charger, it does weird things. Like I’am on Safari and it switch’s from one bookmark to another without even touching my screen. It will freeze my typing when using the keyboard. If I unplug the charger it come back to normal function. I don’t think it has anything to do with the update of the iOS’s because it was acting up in the 14 iOS and also doing in the brand new iOS 15. Is anyone else reported this and can you help me.

    Reply
  9. Grace Levi says

    September 29, 2021 at 8:17 PM

    Hi apple,
    My iPad Air 4th generation is not even 12 months old and I am having with the on and off button in the last week has been intermittently troublesome by not being able to turn on.
    Please advise whether this is fixable or can this be replaced, it was only purchased in 11/20.
    Kind regards
    Grace

    Reply
  10. Carl Willemin says

    September 14, 2021 at 10:03 AM

    My wife cannot get emails on her IPAD. She DOES get them on her IPhone.
    I updated her Microsoft Password but further troubleshooting asked that I update her Outlook password on her mail settings. I cannot figure out how to do that.
    Help!

    Reply
  11. DON C. GUIZZETTI says

    September 13, 2021 at 2:43 AM

    My iPad doesn’t follow my finger on the touch screen. The cursor flys across the screen, changes settings, goes to odd locations in various menus, and zooms in and out by itself. I’m running the latest OS, have cleaned the screen, and have reset the iPad. I’m ready to calibrate it with a hammer or pipe wrench.

    Reply
  12. Kathy Ross says

    August 28, 2021 at 10:09 AM

    My iPad not receiving or sending text messages anymore

    Reply
  13. Phillip c White says

    August 23, 2021 at 1:26 PM

    my ipad alway wants too reboot when i am watching a video and my ipad why

    Reply
  14. Jennifer Reilly says

    August 21, 2021 at 3:08 AM

    My IPad keeps typing the number 6 when I am trying to type in letters. It’s been doing it spasmodically for the last week. It’s like its possessed. Doesn’t matter if I’m using the keyboard on-screen or the Bluetooth keyboard.

    Reply
  15. frederick morrison says

    August 4, 2021 at 11:51 AM

    my apple ipad doesnt accept email and passcode

    Reply
  16. Grant says

    July 27, 2021 at 5:18 AM

    Hello. I think my ipad 14 is infected with a video bug. I’d really like a permanent solution than rather having to reboot. Can you help?

    Reply
  17. Lynne says

    July 13, 2021 at 12:52 AM

    I am trying to set up my old iPad for my mother and each time I get to the agreement page and press agree to terms and conditions I have a message to say it couldn’t be set up right now.
    I have tried half a dozen times.
    The internet is working the iPad is connected.
    Any tips or ideas would be gratefully received

    Thankyou

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    July 5, 2021 at 1:44 PM

    I need help with setting my page to full screen not half and half.

    Reply
  19. Van symmonds says

    June 27, 2021 at 10:33 AM

    Emails won’t come thru on ipad

    All I did was clean up and had few left
    Now won’t come on

    Reply
  20. Mup says

    June 17, 2021 at 9:40 AM

    My Ipad 2 is a total mess. It has been fine all these years, even worked in Morocco, but recently I cant do anything with it . Initially it cost me a fortune and I am not prepared to spend another fortune as Apple keep changing things. So darn unfair

    Reply
  21. Wendy Firth says

    June 10, 2021 at 3:48 PM

    Hi I have an iPad Air and my emails are disappearing when I have not deleted them and even in my folders they are doing the same could you please advice me on what to do to either get them back or keep them in the future please, thank you
    Best regards
    Wendy

    Reply
  22. Amanda says

    June 3, 2021 at 6:19 PM

    I have the iPad 10.2, fairly new and during one of Apples updates few months ago it shut off and haven’t been able to get it to turn back on since. I’m hoping someone else has experienced this and has a solution. It’s driving me crazy not being able to use it!! Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Mup says

      June 17, 2021 at 9:42 AM

      Mine has gone haywire, Tells me that all my passwords are wrong, etc It has a mind of its own and I am fed up to the back teeth with it. Apple just feel that it is ok to keep making changes with no consideration for us. I shall give it a week then will be slinging it .

      Reply
  23. Jill Seagraves says

    May 23, 2021 at 1:42 PM

    My IPod over heats after a couple of minutes. My storage is at 24 GB. There’s over 148. Left. Can you help me. Thank you

    Reply
  24. Barbara Dorf says

    May 12, 2021 at 6:27 PM

    My iPad is stuck on split screen.How do I get it back to my screen

    Reply
  25. Jennifer MacDonald says

    May 8, 2021 at 2:46 PM

    I have only had my iPad since Christmas. Every time I plug the pad in, the iPad has a mind of its own. I try and keep working on my pad, but I can hardly type it misses words, changes the page and is very slow. This has been happening or a few mins now. How can I get it fixed before I throw it threw a window

    Reply
  26. Joann Gorsich says

    May 3, 2021 at 4:59 PM

    I have to go on Safari to get my email. When mail icon is clicked on I get blank page, then flips back to home page. Now I can’t get to get rid of trash or junk mail because Safari does not let me go to in box to rid trash or check sent emails etc.

    Reply
  27. Hazel Stephens says

    April 30, 2021 at 11:33 AM

    My 7 month old ipad overheats after using for about 2 hours so I have to turn the power off to cool it down before I can continue using it. It can get quite hot.

    Reply
  28. Tricia Westcott says

    April 19, 2021 at 12:45 AM

    My iPad is about 2 years old, I fully charge it at night. This has just started, when I switch on in the morning, it’s fine for a minute then it goes blank and restarting can take several minutes. It seems to be since my last recent update.
    Has anyone else experienced this since the last update?

    Reply
  29. Linda Nichols says

    April 17, 2021 at 6:59 AM

    Why does my IPad have rainbow colors on all the pictures??

    Reply
  30. Judy says

    April 15, 2021 at 9:27 PM

    My Facebook keeps dropping off though I checked software and it is up to date. Messages and Google are still ok

    Reply
  31. Jacqueline Swalwell says

    April 15, 2021 at 7:23 AM

    My apple I pad has lost its key pad clicks, they are turned on what do I do next please

    Reply
  32. Judith Hewitt says

    April 9, 2021 at 3:53 AM

    Where have all my saved items gone in safari.

    Reply

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