Okay, let's dive into this! It can be incredibly frustrating when your iPad decides to go silent. But don't worry, we'll go through a comprehensive step-by-step guide to try and bring it back to life.
Step 1: Initial Checks - Let's Get the Basics Right
Before we delve into more complex troubleshooting, let's start with the simplest and most common reasons why your iPad might not be turning on. Have you recently used your iPad until the battery completely died? If so, this is often the culprit.
1.1 Plug It In!
This might seem obvious, but it's the first and most crucial step.
- Connect your iPad to a known working power outlet using the official Apple Lightning or USB-C cable (depending on your iPad model) and the Apple power adapter.
- Let it charge for at least 15-30 minutes, even if the screen remains black. Sometimes a completely depleted battery needs a little while to gather enough charge to even display the charging icon.
- Look closely for any indication of charging. You might see a black screen with a red battery icon (indicating very low charge) or a lightning bolt icon on a black screen. If you see either of these, it means your iPad is receiving power, and you just need to be patient.
1.2 Check the Charging Cable and Adapter
Faulty accessories are surprisingly common.
- Inspect the cable: Look for any signs of damage, such as fraying, cuts, or bent connectors. Try using a different Apple-certified Lightning or USB-C cable if you have one.
- Test the adapter: Ensure the adapter is securely plugged into both the wall outlet and the cable. Try using a different Apple power adapter if possible. You can also try plugging the cable into a USB port on a computer (though charging will likely be slower).
Step 2: Force Restart - The Digital Reset Button
If your iPad has been charging for a while and still isn't responding, a force restart is often the next best step. This can resolve minor software glitches that might be preventing it from turning on. The method for force restarting varies depending on your iPad model:
2.1 iPads with a Home Button:
- Press and hold both the Home button and the Power button (located on the top or side of your iPad) simultaneously.
- Keep holding both buttons for about 10-15 seconds.
- Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
2.2 iPads without a Home Button (iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation)):
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the
Power button (top button) until the Apple logo appears.
Step 3: Connect to a Computer - Looking for Recovery Mode
If a force restart doesn't do the trick, the next step is to try connecting your iPad to a computer. This can sometimes wake it up or allow you to enter Recovery Mode, which can help restore the device's software.
3.1 Prepare Your Computer:
- Make sure you have a computer with the latest version of iTunes (if you're using a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, or a Windows PC) or Finder (if you're using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later).
- Open iTunes or Finder on your computer.
3.2 Connect Your iPad:
- Connect your iPad to your computer using a compatible USB cable.
3.3 Try to Restart While Connected:
- While your iPad is connected, try performing the force restart steps outlined in Step 2. Keep holding the buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen. This screen will show a cable pointing to a computer icon.
3.4 What to Do in Recovery Mode:
- When your iPad is in Recovery Mode, iTunes or Finder on your computer should detect it and give you two options: Update or Restore.
- Try Update First: This option attempts to reinstall iPadOS without erasing your data. Click "Update." Your computer will try to download the software for your iPad. If the download takes longer than 15 minutes, your iPad might exit Recovery Mode, and you'll need to try again.
- If Update Fails: If the update doesn't work, or if your computer can't update your iPad, you'll need to choose Restore. Important: This will erase all the data on your iPad and install the latest version of iPadOS. You'll be able to restore from a backup later if you have one.
Step 4: DFU Mode - The Deeper Restore
DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is a more in-depth restore that can sometimes revive an iPad that isn't responding even to Recovery Mode. The steps to enter DFU mode are more precise and vary by iPad model:
4.1 iPads with a Home Button:
- Connect your iPad to your computer and open iTunes or Finder.
- Press and hold both the Home button and the Power button for 10 seconds.
- Release the Power button but continue holding the Home button for another 5-10 seconds.
- If your iPad screen stays black and iTunes or Finder detects a device in Recovery Mode, you've successfully entered DFU mode. If you see the Apple logo, you need to try again.
- Follow the on-screen prompts in iTunes or Finder to restore your iPad.
4.2 iPads without a Home Button:
- Connect your iPad to your computer and open iTunes or Finder.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the
Power button until the screen goes black. - Once the screen is black, press and hold both the Power button and the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
- Release the Power button but continue holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.
- If your iPad screen stays black and iTunes or Finder detects a device in Recovery Mode, you're in DFU mode. If you see the Apple logo, you need to try again.
- Follow the on-screen prompts in iTunes or Finder to restore your iPad.
Step 5: Consider Hardware Issues - When Software Isn't the Problem
If you've tried all the software-based solutions and your iPad still won't turn on, it's possible there's a hardware problem.
5.1 Physical Damage:
- Carefully inspect your iPad for any signs of physical damage, such as a cracked screen, dents, or bent areas. If you see any damage, it could be the reason why it's not turning on.
5.2 Liquid Damage:
- If your iPad has come into contact with liquid, even a small amount, it could have caused internal damage.
5.3 Battery Issues:
- Over time, iPad batteries can degrade and eventually fail. If your iPad is several years old, the battery might no longer be holding a charge or functioning correctly.
Step 6: Seek Professional Help - The Apple Experts
If you suspect a hardware issue or if none of the troubleshooting steps have worked, it's time to seek professional help.
6.1 Apple Support:
- Contact Apple Support through their website or the Apple Support app. They can offer further guidance and diagnostic options.
6.2 Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider:
- Schedule an appointment to take your iPad to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose and repair hardware problems.
How to... Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions related to turning on an iPad that won't turn on:
How to know if my iPad battery is completely dead?
If your iPad's battery is completely depleted, it might take 15-30 minutes of charging before it shows any sign of life, such as a low-battery icon.
How to check if my charging cable is working?
Try using the same cable with a different device or try charging your iPad with a different, known working Apple-certified cable.
How to perform a force restart on an older iPad with a Home button?
Press and hold both the Home button and the Power button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
How to perform a force restart on a newer iPad without a Home button?
Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
How to enter Recovery Mode on my iPad?
Connect your iPad to a computer with iTunes or Finder open, then perform the force restart steps and keep holding the buttons until the Recovery Mode screen (cable pointing to a computer) appears.
How to update my iPadOS using Recovery Mode?
When your iPad is in Recovery Mode, iTunes or Finder will offer an "Update" option. Choose this to reinstall iPadOS without erasing your data.
How to restore my iPad using Recovery Mode?
If updating doesn't work, in Recovery Mode, choose the "Restore" option in iTunes or Finder. This will erase all data on your iPad.
How to know if my iPad is in DFU mode?
In DFU mode, your iPad screen will remain completely black, but iTunes or Finder on your computer will detect a device in Recovery Mode.
How to check for physical damage on my iPad?
Carefully inspect the screen for cracks, the body for dents or bends, and the charging port for any debris or damage.
How to contact Apple Support for help with my iPad?
You can contact Apple Support through their website (support.apple.com) or by using the Apple Support app on another Apple device.
Hopefully, these steps will help you get your iPad back up and running! Remember to be patient and try each step carefully. If you reach the point of suspecting hardware issues, seeking professional help is always the best course of action.
