iPad Won't Turn On or Is Frozen? Force Restart by Model (Home Button vs None)

Your iPad screen is black and unresponsive, or it’s frozen and a normal restart isn’t possible because the screen won’t react.

Why: Either the software has hung (a force restart fixes this and erases nothing) or the battery is fully drained (it needs charging first). Force restart is the first move because it clears most frozen and black-screen cases in seconds. The exact buttons depend on whether your iPad has a Home button.

Fix 1: Force restart — find your iPad below

A force restart does not delete any of your data.

iPad without a Home button (Face ID, or Touch ID built into the top button):

1. Press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo, then let go (this can take longer than 10 seconds).

iPad with a Home button:

• Press and hold both the Home button and the top button at the same time until you see the Apple logo, then release.

Fix 2: Charge it and check the power path

If the force restart shows nothing on screen, the battery may be flat.

1. Connect your iPad to a wall power adapter (not just a computer USB port) with a cable you know works.
2. Wait — you might need to charge for up to an hour before it powers on or shows a charging screen.
3. If nothing appears, try a different cable, adapter, and wall outlet, and check the charging port for lint. A dead cable or blocked port is a common cause.

Once it’s charged, run the Fix 1 force restart for your model again.

Fix 3: Recovery mode if it’s stuck on the Apple logo

If your iPad turns on but freezes on the Apple logo, or still won’t start after charging, put it into recovery mode and update it (this keeps your data):

1. Connect your iPad to a computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later open Finder; on a PC or older Mac open iTunes.
2. With it connected, do the force restart sequence for your model — but keep holding the top button (and Home button on Home-button models) until you see the recovery-mode screen instead of letting go at the Apple logo.
3. When prompted, choose Update (not Restore) so your data is kept. If the download takes longer than 15 minutes and the iPad exits recovery mode, repeat the steps.

If it still won’t start, the hardware likely needs service — contact Apple Support.

FAQ

Will a force restart erase my photos or apps? No. It’s the equivalent of pulling the power — nothing is deleted.

How is force restart different from “slide to power off”? Slide to power off needs a responsive screen. A force restart uses physical buttons, so it works even when the screen is frozen or black.

What’s the difference between Update and Restore in recovery mode? Update reinstalls iPadOS and keeps your data. Restore erases everything. Always try Update first.

Sources: Apple Support — If your iPad won’t turn on or is frozen