iPad won't turn on? 7 fixes for a black screen

An iPad with a black screen is not always broken. In most cases the battery is empty, the iPad is frozen, or a case or cover is getting in the way. The fixes below go from the easiest to the most involved, and only the last one can erase anything.

What to do when your iPad won’t turn on

Why won’t my iPad turn on?

The most common cause is a drained battery. iPads have large batteries that take longer to charge than a phone, and a flat one may show nothing for several minutes after you plug it in. The next most common cause is a software freeze, where the iPad is on but the screen is black and nothing responds. Other causes include a bad cable or adapter, a worn battery, a case or keyboard cover that presses on the power button or sensors, heat, and physical or liquid damage.

Is the iPad off, frozen or just dark?

Look for small clues before you start. They tell you which fix to try first.

• Nothing happens, even on the charger: likely a flat or worn battery, or a bad cable and adapter.
• You hear sounds or feel vibration but see nothing: the iPad is on. Check brightness and force restart. A screen fault is possible.
• Apple logo appears and stays: software problem. See the guide on an iPad stuck on the Apple logo.
• The screen is faintly visible in a bright room: the backlight may have failed, which needs repair.
• It is hot to the touch: let it cool first. A hot iPad can shut down to protect itself.

Charge it properly

Plug the iPad into a wall outlet, not a computer or a power strip with a loose plug. Use the adapter and cable that came with the iPad, or a 20W or stronger USB-C adapter for a USB-C model. Small phone chargers deliver too little power, especially when the battery is empty. Leave it for at least an hour. A fully drained iPad can show a low battery image after a few minutes, and sometimes nothing for longer.

If the iPad still does nothing, try another cable and another adapter, and a different outlet. Look in the charging port for lint. Pocket and bag fluff can pack into a port and block the connection. Use a wooden toothpick to lift it out gently, with no metal tools. If the iPad turns on only when a particular cable is used, replace that cable. For more detail, see what to do when an iPad is not charging.

How to force restart your iPad

A force restart clears a freeze and does not delete anything. The steps depend on the model.

• iPad with no Home button: press and quickly release volume up, press and quickly release volume down, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. This takes about 10 seconds or more.
• iPad with a Home button: hold the Home button and the top button together until the Apple logo appears.

Do this with the iPad plugged in. Keep holding even if the screen stays black for a while, and do not let go when the screen flickers. If you see the Apple logo, wait for the iPad to finish starting.

Check the case, keyboard and brightness

Take the iPad out of its case, and remove any keyboard or magnetic cover. Some folio covers use magnets that can put the screen to sleep, and a damaged one can keep it off. A thick case can also press the side buttons. Try the power button with the iPad bare.

If you hear a sound or a notification, but the screen is black, brightness may be at zero. Say Hey Siri, turn the brightness up, if Siri is on. In a dark room, shine a flashlight at the screen at an angle. If you can faintly see the icons, the backlight failed and the iPad needs repair, not a reset.

Let it cool, or warm up

iPads have a temperature range. A hot iPad, left in a car or in the sun, can shut down and refuse to start until it cools. Move it to the shade for 10 to 15 minutes. A very cold iPad can also act up, so let it return to room temperature before you try charging it.

Use recovery mode from a computer

If the iPad shows nothing at all and the earlier steps failed, try recovery mode. Connect the iPad to a Mac or a PC with iTunes. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. On a PC or an older Mac, open iTunes. Put the iPad into recovery mode using the same button sequence as a force restart, but keep holding the top button after the Apple logo until you see the connect to computer screen.

The computer then offers two options. Choose Update, not Restore. Update reinstalls iPadOS and tries to keep your data. Restore erases the iPad and sets it up as new, which you should do only if Update fails. The computer downloads the software, which can take a while, so keep the cable in place. If the process takes more than 15 minutes, the iPad exits recovery mode, and you can repeat the steps. If the iPad is not recognized, try a different cable, port or computer.

Can I save my data if the iPad stays dead?

If you used iCloud Backup, or iCloud Photos, your data is stored online and you can restore it to a new or repaired iPad. Sign in at iCloud.com to check your photos, contacts and files. If the iPad was never backed up and it does not start, Apple or a repair shop may be able to help, but data recovery is not guaranteed. Once it works again, turn on iCloud Backup. The steps are in our guide to backing up your iPhone and iPad.

When the battery or screen needs repair

A battery that has worn out may not hold enough charge to start the iPad, even after a long time on the charger. Signs include an iPad that works only while plugged in, dies suddenly at 30 or 40 percent, or has a swollen case. A swollen battery is a safety risk, so stop charging it and take it to Apple or an authorized provider right away. Cracked glass, water damage or a dead display also need a repair.

Apple can test the iPad and quote a repair. Contact Apple Support, or book at an Apple Store or authorized service provider. Cost depends on the model and on whether you have coverage, so check the price before you agree.

Repair, replace or trade in?

Check whether your iPad is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare. If so, a repair may be free or low cost, though accidental damage coverage usually carries a fee. See whether AppleCare is worth it if you are weighing a plan for your next device.

Out of warranty, compare the repair quote with the price of a new or refurbished iPad. A battery replacement on a newer model is often worth it. A screen or board repair on an old iPad that no longer gets iPadOS updates may not be. A trade in credit can reduce the price of a replacement, and some programs accept non working devices at a lower value.

How to keep it from happening again

• Charge the iPad before it reaches 0%, and do not let it sit empty for weeks.
• Use the adapter and cable that came with it, or a good quality USB-C one.
• Keep it out of hot cars and direct sun.
• Install iPadOS updates, which fix many freezes.
• Turn on iCloud Backup so a problem does not cost you your data.