How to Restart a Stuck iPad: Force Restart Guide

If your iPad is frozen, unresponsive, or stuck on a black or Apple logo screen, a restart or force restart is the first fix to try. This guide walks you through the simple button combinations for every iPad model, from the newest with Face ID to older models with a Home button. You’ll also find troubleshooting steps if the basic restart doesn’t work.

What You’ll Need

• Your iPad
• Access to the physical buttons (Top, Home, or Volume buttons)
• A lightning or USB-C cable (only for the recovery mode troubleshooting section)
• A computer with iTunes or Finder (only for the recovery mode troubleshooting section)

Step-by-Step

The correct method depends on your iPad model. Check the back of your iPad or its settings to identify it, then follow the matching steps.

For iPads with Face ID (no Home button)

These are iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation).

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button (the top button on the right side).
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button (the bottom button on the right side).
3. Press and hold the Top button (the button on the top edge).
4. Keep holding the Top button. Do not release it when you see the Apple logo. Continue holding until the screen turns black and then shows the Apple logo again.
5. Release the Top button. Your iPad will restart. This usually takes about 10-15 seconds.

For iPads with a Home button (and no Face ID)

These include iPad (6th generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), and all earlier models with a Home button.

1. Press and hold the Top button (the button on the top edge) and the Home button (the round button on the front) at the same time.
2. Keep holding both buttons. Do not release them when the Apple logo appears.
3. Continue holding until the screen goes black and then the Apple logo appears again.
4. Release both buttons. Your iPad will restart.

For a simple restart (if the screen is responsive)

If your iPad is not completely frozen but you just want to restart it normally:

1. Press and hold the Top button (and either volume button on Face ID models, or the Home button on older models) until the power off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPad.
3. Wait about 30 seconds.
4. Press and hold the Top button again until the Apple logo appears.

Common Mistakes

• Releasing too early: The most common mistake is letting go of the buttons as soon as the Apple logo appears. You must keep holding until the logo appears a second time (or the screen goes black and then the logo returns).
• Using the wrong button combo: Using the Face ID method on an iPad with a Home button (or vice versa) won’t work. Double-check your model.
• Pressing buttons too slowly: For the Face ID method, the volume button presses must be quick and sequential. If you press and hold the volume buttons, it won’t trigger the restart.
• Confusing a force restart with a normal restart: A force restart is for when the screen is unresponsive. If you can use the slider, do a normal restart instead.

Tips

• Charge your iPad: If your iPad is completely dead, it may not respond to a force restart. Plug it into a charger and wait a few minutes before trying again.
• Check for physical damage: If the buttons feel stuck or unresponsive, there may be a hardware issue. Contact Apple Support or a repair shop.
• Update iOS: After restarting, check for software updates in Settings > General > Software Update. A buggy version of iOS can cause freezes.
• Back up regularly: If you ever need to restore your iPad in recovery mode, you’ll want a recent backup to avoid losing data.

Troubleshooting

If the force restart doesn’t work, try these steps in order:

1. Check the charger: Plug your iPad into a power source and wait 15-20 minutes. A completely drained battery can appear frozen.
2. Try a different charging cable and adapter: A faulty cable can prevent charging and cause the iPad to behave oddly.
3. Connect to a computer: Use a USB cable to connect your iPad to a computer with iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later). If your iPad is recognized, you can update or restore it.
4. Enter recovery mode: If your iPad is still stuck, you may need to put it in recovery mode and restore it. The steps depend on your model:
   • Face ID models: Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Top button until the recovery mode screen appears (a computer icon and a cable).
   • Home button models: Press and hold the Top button and Home button simultaneously until the recovery mode screen appears.

   Once in recovery mode, a computer will offer to update or restore your iPad. Try “Update” first – it keeps your data. If that fails, you’ll need to “Restore,” which erases everything.

5. Contact Apple Support: If none of these steps work, there may be a hardware problem. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a force restart erase my data?

No. A force restart is safe and does not delete any of your apps, photos, or settings. It’s the same as a normal restart, just a more direct way to trigger it.

How long should I hold the buttons?

Keep holding until you see the Apple logo appear a second time. This can take up to 20 seconds. If you release too early, the restart won’t happen.

My iPad is stuck on the Apple logo. Will this fix it?

Yes, a force restart is the first step to try if your iPad is stuck on the Apple logo. If it doesn’t work, you may need to update or restore via a computer.

What if my iPad has a broken Home button?

If your Home button is broken, you can still use the Face ID method if your iPad supports it. For older models, you may need to use recovery mode with a computer, or contact Apple Support for repair.

Can I force restart an iPad with a hardware keyboard attached?

Yes, the physical buttons on the iPad itself still work. You don’t need to detach the keyboard, but it can make pressing the buttons easier if you remove it.

Is there a way to restart an iPad without using buttons?

If the screen is responsive, you can go to Settings > General > Shut Down and slide to power off. If the screen is unresponsive, you must use the physical buttons.

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