iPad Troubleshooting Quick Checks

Troubleshooting quick checks for all issues

Try these steps before continuing to issue-specific troubleshooting.

1. Ensure that a protective film, case, glove, or stylus aren’t causing interference. Touch the screen with your finger pads, not your fingernails.

2. Clean the display with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. If needed, clean the entire iPad.

   • Important: Unplug all cables and turn off the iPad first. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in openings and don't submerge the iPad in any cleaning agents. Don't use compressed air.

3. Use a compatible charging cable to plug the iPad into a power adapter that’s connected to an electrical outlet. Don’t use a computer port or wireless charging. Charge the iPad for at least 10 minutes. Wait until an image appears on the screen or 10 minutes have elapsed.

   • Note: The iPad may have entered a deep discharge state that requires 20 to 30 minutes of charging to turn on. The charging icon should be visible after two minutes of charging.

4. Restart the iPad. If the iPad doesn’t restart, try to force restart the iPad.

5. Update the iPad. Ensure that the device’s software is up to date before performing further troubleshooting.

6. Find the appropriate section below and read the linked articles to help resolve your issue.

7. If the issue persists after reading all relevant articles and following all troubleshooting steps, restore the iPad and set it up again. Also refer to If you see an error when you update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod and iOS update and restore errors.

   • Caution: Restoring the iPad will result in the removal of all data from the iPad. Ensure that the iPad has been backed up before restoring it.

More resources

Read these support articles before continuing to issue-specific troubleshooting.

General

• Identify your iPad model

• Set up your iPhone or iPad

• How to clean your Apple products

Accessories

• If an 'Accessory may not be supported alert' appears on your Apple device

• About Made for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch accessories

• Use the Smart Folio or Smart Cover with your iPad

• Get Help with Apple Digital AV Adapters for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

• Set up and use Magic Keyboard for iPad

Alerts

• If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold

• If an 'Accessory may not be supported alert' appears on your Apple device

• About the 'Trust This Computer' alert message on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

• If an alert says Face ID has an issue on your iPhone or iPad Pro

• If you see a Cellular, Ultra Wideband, or Apple Pay Issue message after an iOS update or restart

Apple Pay

• Use Apple Pay on these devices

• Set up Apple Pay

• Make purchases using Apple Pay

• If you can't add a card to Apple Wallet to use with Apple Pay

• Change or remove the payment cards that you use with Apple Pay

• If you see a Cellular, Ultra Wideband, or Apple Pay Issue message after an iOS update or restart

Apps and media

• Switch apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

• If an app on your iPhone or iPad stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or won’t open

• If an app would like to connect to devices on your local network

• If an app would like to use Bluetooth on your device

• If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad

• If you can't connect to the App Store, iTunes Store, or other Apple services

Cellular data

• Learn the meaning of the iPad status icons

• Remove or switch the SIM card in your iPad

• Learn which size SIM your iPhone or iPad uses

• About eSIM on iPad

• Find wireless carriers and worldwide service providers that offer eSIM service

• If Personal Hotspot is not working on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

• If you can't activate your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

• If you can't make or receive a FaceTime call on your iPhone or iPad

• If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone or iPad

• If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on iPad, Mac, or Apple Vision Pro

• If you see a Cellular, Ultra Wideband, or Apple Pay Issue message after an iOS update or restart

• If you see SOS, No Service, or Searching on your iPhone or iPad

• If your device has network connectivity issues, check for VPN and other third-party security software

• Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling

• Manually update your carrier settings on your iPhone or iPad

• Set up cellular data service on your iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular model

• Use 5G with your iPad

• Use cellular data on your iPhone or iPad

• Use Messages on your iPhone or iPad

Power and charging

• If your iPad won't turn on or is frozen

• If your iOS or iPadOS device restarts or displays the Apple logo or a spinning gear unexpectedly

• Using Apple power adapters, cables, and duckheads with Apple products

• If your iPad won't charge

• Restart your iPad

• Charge and connect with the USB-C port on your iPad

Restore

Caution: Following these procedures will result in data loss.

• Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer

• If you can't update or restore your iPad

• If you see an error when you update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod

• If you see error 9, 4005, 4013, or 4014 when you restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

• iOS update and restore errors

Sound

• If you hear no sound or distorted sound from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch speaker

• If your headphones don't work with your iPhone or iPad

• If the microphones on your iPad aren't working

• Use Apple wired headphones

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

• About Wi-Fi Assist

• Bluetooth profiles that iOS and iPadOS support

• Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

• How to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your car

• How to forget a Wi-Fi network on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

• If an app would like to use Bluetooth on your device

• If you can't connect a Bluetooth accessory to your iPhone or iPad

• If your iPhone or iPad won't connect to a Wi-Fi network

• Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling

• Pair a third-party Bluetooth accessory with your iPhone or iPad

• Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points

• Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference

• Use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in Control Center

• Use captive Wi-Fi networks on your iPhone or iPad

• Use private Wi-Fi addresses on Apple devices

• Use Wi-Fi 6E networks with Apple devices