iPad won't turn on? 7 fixes for a black screen
An iPad that seems dead is usually just fully drained. Give it a long charge on a proper adapter before trying anything else.
The fix
7 fixes, in order
- 1
Charge for an hour on a wall adapter.
- 2
Try another adapter and cable.
- 3
Force restart it for your model.
- 4
Remove the case or keyboard.
A faulty keyboard case or magnetic cover can keep the screen off.
- 5
Ask Siri to turn up brightness.
If you hear sounds, brightness might be at zero.
- 6
Let a hot iPad cool down.
- 7
Use recovery mode and choose Update.
Connect to a computer and follow the recovery steps; Update keeps your data.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I charge a dead iPad?
At least an hour on a wall adapter. A fully drained iPad can show nothing for the first several minutes.
My iPad makes sounds but the screen is black. Why?
The iPad is on but the display is not showing anything. Try a force restart and check brightness. If it stays black, the screen needs repair.
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