How to restart iPad if touch is not working?

Date 01/12/2023
Category
Apple Blog, Apple How to?, Apple iPad Blog
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If your iPad’s touch functionality has become unresponsive, restarting the device can often resolve such issues. Here’s a simple guide on restarting your iPad when the touchscreen is not working as expected.

Restarting your iPad when the touch feature is playing hard to get!

If your iPad’s touchscreen becomes unresponsive, restarting the device can often solve the issue. However, if the touch functionality is completely impaired, performing a regular restart might be challenging. Here are alternative methods you can try:

  1. Force Restart: For iPads with a physical Home button (up to iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 4, and older models):
    • Press and hold down the Home button and the Power button simultaneously.
    • Keep holding both buttons for at least 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. Release the buttons and allow the device to restart.

    For newer models without a Home button (iPad Pro 2018 and later, iPad Air 4, iPad Mini 6, etc.):

    • Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
    • Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
    • To turn on your device, simply press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
  2. Using AssistiveTouch: If your iPad’s touch screen is partially responsive or if you’ve enabled AssistiveTouch previously, you might be able to restart your device using this feature:
    • If AssistiveTouch is enabled: Tap the AssistiveTouch icon on your screen.
    • Tap “Device” in the menu.
    • Press and hold the “Lock Screen” option until the “slide to power off” slider appears.
    • Drag the slider to power off the device. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.
  3. Using iTunes on a Computer: If the above methods don’t work, you can try connecting your iPad to a computer with iTunes installed:
    • Connect your iPad to the computer using a USB cable.
    • Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
    • Follow the instructions to force restart your specific iPad model. For example, for an iPad without a Home button, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, do the same with the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Power button until the recovery mode screen appears on your computer.
    • Select the “Restore” option when prompted. This will erase your iPad and reinstall the iOS software. Please note that this method will result in data loss unless you have a recent backup.

If none of these methods work, and the touchscreen remains unresponsive, it might indicate a hardware issue. In such cases, contacting Apple Support or visiting an authorized service provider would be the best course of action for further assistance and potential repair.

What should be done if none of the above methods work?

If none of the aforementioned methods prove successful in resolving the touch screen issue on your iPad, it might suggest a persistent software issue. In such cases, there are several additional steps to consider. Firstly, try checking for any available software updates for your iPad. Updating to the latest iOS version can often resolve underlying software glitches that may be causing the touch screen problem. Navigate to the “Settings” app, select “General,” and then tap on “Software Update” to check for and install any pending updates. Sometimes, background functions or unknown reasons might disrupt the touch functionality, and a software update could recalibrate or rectify these issues.

If the touch screen issue persists despite updating the software, delve deeper into troubleshooting by exploring settings within the iPad. Navigate to the “Settings” app and access the “Accessibility” section. Here, under “Touch,” you might find specific options to adjust touch sensitivity or settings that could potentially address touch screen irregularities. Additionally, if a recent change in settings triggered the problem, reverting to default settings or undoing recent changes could potentially resolve the issue. However, if these steps fail to alleviate the touch screen problem, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance from Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider. They can diagnose the issue further, which might involve hardware inspection or other advanced troubleshooting measures beyond what can be resolved through basic software-related attempts.