Over the last decade, Apple has sold 360 million iPads. There have been several generations since the tablet hit the market in 2010.
The more things change, though, the more they stay the same. Every generation of iPad has introduced new features. They’ve also introduced new bugs.
There is good news. Many of the common iPad issues you’ll encounter are easy to fix on your own. If you’re having trouble with your iPad, check out this troubleshooting guide.
Fixing Frozen Screens on iPads
One of the most common iPad issues is the screen freezing. If your iPad has stopped working, it could be due to the apps running on it. It may be overloaded, or you may have malicious apps running in the background.
If your iPad freezes, try powering it off and on. This will sometimes clear the screen.
In some cases, you’ll need to force the iPad to restart to clear the frozen screen. Hold the power button and the home button for 10 seconds, or until the Apple logo appears.
Some newer iPads don’t have a home button. To restart them, press and release the volume up button. Then press and quickly release the volume down.
Finally, press and hold the power button until the iPad restarts.
iPad Won’t Power on
Sometimes, an iPad won’t work because its battery is completely drained.
If your iPad won’t power on, try the instructions above for resetting it. This should reboot your iPad.
If it doesn’t work, it may be because the battery is drained. It’s time to plug your iPad in and let it recharge. In about 20 minutes, the iPad should have enough juice to turn on.
Don’t panic if it still doesn’t turn on. Check to make sure the iPad is drawing power. You can try another wall outlet, and you can usually check to see if the iPad is charging.
Using the original adapter can also help. Other adapters and connection wires may not charge your iPad as efficiently.
iPad Issues With Battery Charge
If you plug your iPad in and let it charge for 20 minutes, and it still doesn’t turn on, you may have a battery issue on your hands.
If you’ve plugged your iPad into a computer, it may not be receiving enough power to recharge. This is why you should use the wall adapter instead.
If the iPad isn’t charging with the original adapter and cable, you should check these items. If the adapter or connection wire is damaged, you should replace them. A faulty connector wire is more common than an issue with the iPad itself.
There are cases where the iPad has an electrical issue that’s preventing proper charging. In these cases, it’s best to get in touch with a specialist. It’s possible to fix electrical issues, so don’t rush out to buy a new iPad just yet.
You might be able to get your iPad to charge, but the battery just keeps draining. This is another common issue. The good news is it doesn’t always mean the battery is cooked.
A rapidly depleting battery can be caused by:
- Apps that are open or running in the background
- Poor battery and app usage settings
- Outdated software, including iOS
If your battery is draining quickly, try force closing apps and restarting the iPad. You should also install updates and reset the battery usage management settings.
If the battery is still draining much faster than normal, try restoring the factory or default settings on the iPad. If the problem persists, it’s time to take it to the specialists.
Wi-Fi Connection Issues on iPad
Most people use their iPads to stream music and TV shows, play games, and access social media. All these activities require an internet connection.
If you can’t connect to Wi-Fi, you may need to do some iPad troubleshooting. The first step is always to make sure your iPad has Wi-Fi enabled.
To check this, check Settings -> Wi-Fi. If your Wi-Fi is on and the iPad still won’t connect, you can try a few tricks to get it to work:
- Power the iPad on and off
- Restore the device settings
- Update to the latest iOS software
It’s also a wise idea to try connecting to another Wi-Fi network. Sometimes, your iPad will be able to connect to other networks without issue.
If you’re having issues with a specific network, tell the iPad to “forget” the network. Restart the device, then try connecting to the network again.
If you’re still having trouble, you might want to check in with your internet provider or a specialist. Your iPad may be incompatible with a router or another device.
Issues With AirDrop and iTunes
Although Apple discontinued iTunes in 2019, many people are still running it. iTunes can create a back up for your iPad, among other features.
Sometimes, your iPad won’t connect to an “unrecognized” version of iTunes. This usually happens when you connect the iPad to a new computer or laptop.
You should make sure you have the latest version of iTunes on the computer. Then restart your iPad. Reconnect and make sure the USB connections are good.
If it still won’t connect, restart the computer or try reinstalling iTunes on the computer.
AirDrop is another app that sometimes causes issues. The most common fix is to toggle the AirDrop share settings to “Everyone.”
If that doesn’t work, you can try turning Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on and off on the iPad. If you’re still having issues, try force restarting the two devices you’re connecting.
If it’s still not working, log in to iCloud again on your iPad. You should also check that your iOS is up to date. Finally, you can try resetting networks.
Get an Easy Fix for Your iPad
As you can see, most of these iPad issues also have fairly easy iPad fixes. Sometimes, though, what seems to be a small issue can be a larger one.
If you’re consistently having problems with your iPad, it’s time to get in touch with the experts. They can help with iPad problems of any size, which can save you in the long run.
