One of the biggest frustration everyone goes through in today’s world is technology failing you when you need it the most. Trying to submit an assignment or getting back to your team regarding a critical project deadline and your iPad not turning on is one of the worst situations you can be in.
Your iPad not turning on is a problem that is either caused by a hardware malfunction or a software issue. A hard or forced reset can fix a software problem, but a hardware malfunction almost always requires a technician’s help to fix it.
The design of Apple devices is one of the reasons why they are often prone to malfunctions. Sometimes these malfunctions are caused by some accident that the device went through, which damaged the hardware. But often, an improper installation of an iOS update or some internal settings causes the device to malfunction.
This guide will take you through the steps of troubleshooting your device by yourself to get your device running in no time so you don’t miss your deadlines!
Turning On Your iPad
Usually, an iPad not turning on can only mean one of two things: a hardware malfunction or a software issue.
Software Issue
A software issue in an iPad can result from virtually any part of the software not working correctly. Most of the time, a new update from Apple or an improperly installed update causes the problem, and you can fix it easily.
Here are some things you can try.
Force Restart
To force restart your iPad, press the home and top buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
For iPad models without a home button:
- Press and release the volume up button (button nearest to the top button).
- Press and release the volume down button (button farthest to the top button).
- Press and hold the top button till the Apple logo appears.
Sometimes, it takes time for the force restart to work. Hold the top button (top button and home button if your model has a home button) for at least 1 minute before releasing and trying again. Try this at least five times.
If the force restart method works for you, that’s good news! But you must take certain steps after this to prevent it from happening again.
Step #1: Reset Your Settings
After your iPad has turned on, reset your settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset All Settings.
This will completely reset all your settings, removing any settings that might be causing problems with your device. Note that this will only reset your settings and will not remove any data.
Step #2: Get Help From a Professional
Even if your iPad turns on, if it continues to randomly not turn on in the future multiple times, it’s better to take this to either Apple or a trusted technician.
Hardware Malfunction
Sometimes, your device goes through an accident or any other event which causes damage to its hardware resulting in your iPad not turning on. If you find that going through the software troubleshooting steps, your iPad still won’t turn on; then it’s likely that your iPad has a hardware malfunction.
Here are some things you can try.
Cleaning the Charging Port
Sometimes, debris gets stuck inside your charging port. The debris results in an improper connection between the charging cable and the charging port itself, which means your device will not charge.
Follow the steps to clean the port and perform the software troubleshooting:
- Use an old toothbrush to clean the charging port. You can use the toothbrush to brush around and inside the charging port to clean it. A better choice would be to use an anti-static brush. An anti-static brush helps discharge any charge that builds up while cleaning, keeping the electric components safe from any static charge that gets built up.
Do not use metallic tools to clean your charging port because you might damage the circuitry inside while cleaning it. - After cleaning the charging port, connect your charging cable to your iPad and connect the cable to either a power outlet or a computer.
- After connecting the cable and providing power to your iPad, now follow the software troubleshooting steps to try and turn on your iPad.
Checking the Charging Cable and the Power Adapter
There is a chance that your charging cable and charger are not working correctly. One way to troubleshoot this is first to examine the charging cable. If it’s damaged, then it’s probably not usable.
But a sure way to find out is to try and charge a friend’s device with your charging cable to check if it’s working correctly. If the device is charging correctly, then this is not the issue. You can also do the same with the power adapter you use to check if it is working correctly.
If your charging cable and the power adapter are working correctly, repeat the steps in the software troubleshooting section to try and turn on your iPad.
Checking if iTunes Recognizes Your iPad
Another way to be sure if it’s the hardware that’s malfunctioning you can check if iTunes recognizes your device. Follow the steps below to check:
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Connect the charging cable to your iPad’s charging port, and then connect the other end to your computer.
- If a prompt appears on your screen with the name of your iPad, then it means that iTunes has recognized your device.
If iTunes recognizes your device, there must be a problem with your display or some other hardware that does not allow the display to work correctly. A positive takeaway is that your iPad’s major hardware is functioning correctly.
In this case, it’s very important to take your iPad to a professional so that they can fix your display. A good choice would be to take it to Apple or another trusted technician with whom you are comfortable handling your repair.
If iTunes recognizes your iPad, you should immediately back up all your data. The reason is that there is a chance that maybe next time iTunes does not recognize your device and you end up losing all your data. It is a good practice in case of malfunctioning devices to back up your data the moment you get access to the said data.
Summary
This guide has walked you through troubleshooting your iPad to identify what might be the issue with the device. If the problem is with the software, using this guide, you can easily turn your iPad on, but if something is wrong with the device’s hardware, then it is best to recover your data and take your device to a professional.
