If your iPad screen is frozen and won't respond to taps or the Home button, the fix is almost always a force restart. This is a safe procedure that does not erase your data. It forces the iPad to reboot when the normal power-off method does not work. A frozen screen typically means the operating system has crashed or a single app has locked up the touch input. The steps vary slightly depending on which iPad model you have, but the core idea is the same: hold the correct combination of buttons until the Apple logo appears.
The Force Restart: The Fix That Works Most of the Time
A force restart is different from a normal restart. You are not swiping to power off; you are sending a hardware-level signal to the processor to cut power and reboot. This is the first thing to try when your iPad screen is frozen and nothing else works.
The exact button sequence depends on whether your iPad has a Home button. Here is how to do it for each type.
iPads with a Home Button (iPad 6th generation and earlier, iPad mini 4 and earlier, iPad Air 2 and earlier)
These models have a physical circular Home button on the front. To force restart:
- Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time.
- Keep holding both buttons even after the screen goes black. Do not release them.
- Wait for the Apple logo to appear. This can take 10 to 20 seconds.
- Release the buttons. The iPad will boot up normally.
If the screen remains black or the Apple logo does not appear after 30 seconds, try charging the device for 15 minutes and then repeat the sequence.
iPads without a Home Button (iPad 7th generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 2018 and later, iPad mini 5th generation and later)
These models use gestures and have no physical Home button. The force restart uses three buttons:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Top button (the one on the top edge) until the Apple logo appears. Do not release when you see the power-off slider; keep holding.
- The screen will go black and then the Apple logo will appear. This usually takes about 10 seconds.
If the Apple logo does not appear after 30 seconds, make sure you pressed the volume buttons in quick succession. A common mistake is holding them too long or not pressing them firmly enough.
What to Do if the Force Restart Does Not Work
A force restart fails for a few reasons. The most common is that the iPad's battery is completely drained. Even if the screen shows a frozen image, the battery may be too low to complete a reboot. Plug the iPad into a charger using the original cable and adapter. Let it charge for at least 30 minutes. Then try the force restart again.
If the iPad still does not respond, check for physical damage. A cracked screen or a loose internal connection can mimic a frozen screen. Remove any case or screen protector that might be pressing on the display. Look for black spots, lines, or areas that do not light up. If you see physical damage, the fix is a repair, not software.
Also disconnect any accessories such as a keyboard case, USB hub, or adapter. A faulty accessory can sometimes cause the iPad to lock up. After disconnecting everything, try the force restart again.
Connect to a Computer: Update or Restore
If the force restart and charging do not work, the next step is to connect the iPad to a computer. This allows you to update or restore the software using Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (on Windows or older macOS).
- Connect the iPad to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open Finder or iTunes. If the iPad is recognized, you will see an icon for it.
- If the iPad is detected but stuck in a recovery mode loop, you will see a dialog offering to Update or Restore.
- Choose Update. This reinstalls the operating system without erasing your data. It is the safer option.
- If Update fails or the iPad is not detected, you may need to force it into recovery mode first. The recovery mode button sequence is the same as the force restart, but you hold the buttons until you see the connect-to-iTunes screen (a cable pointing to a computer icon).
If the iPad is not detected at all, try a different cable and a different USB port. Some third-party cables only charge and do not transfer data. The original Apple cable is best.
DFU Restore: The Last Software Resort
If none of the above work, the iPad may need a Device Firmware Update (DFU) restore. This is a deeper restoration that erases everything and reinstalls the firmware. It is the last software fix before hardware repair.
A DFU restore will delete all your data, so only do this if you have a backup or if the iPad is unusable anyway. The process is similar to recovery mode but the screen remains black (no Apple logo or connect-to-computer icon). You must follow the button sequence exactly.
For iPads with a Home button: press and hold both Home and Top buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Top button while continuing to hold the Home button for another 5 seconds. The screen should stay black. In Finder/iTunes, a dialog will appear saying the iPad is in DFU mode.
For iPads without a Home button: press Volume Up, press Volume Down, then hold the Top button for 10 seconds. While still holding the Top button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds, then release the Top button but keep holding Volume Down for another 10 seconds. The screen stays black. If the Apple logo appears, you missed the timing; start over.
Once in DFU mode, use Finder/iTunes to restore the iPad. This will download the latest firmware and reinstall it. After the restore completes, set up the iPad as new or restore from a backup.
When the Problem Is Hardware
If you have tried all the software fixes and the iPad still will not respond, the issue is likely hardware. Common hardware failures that cause a frozen screen include a dead battery that cannot hold a charge, a failed display connector, or a damaged logic board. These require professional repair. Apple offers out-of-warranty service, and independent repair shops may be more affordable.
If the iPad is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, contact Apple Support for service. If not, you will need to decide whether the cost of repair is worth it. Knowing which iPad model you have is important when discussing repair options, because older models may not be cost-effective to fix. Our guide on what the current generation of iPad looks like can help you identify your model. For a complete list of models and their release order, see which iPads are the newest.
FAQ
How do I force restart an iPad without a Home button?
Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears. Do not release the Top button when the power-off slider shows up; keep holding until the logo appears.
Will force restart delete my data?
No. A force restart is equivalent to unplugging and replugging the power. It does not erase any data or settings. Only a restore (via recovery mode or DFU) can erase data.
What if my iPad screen is black but still frozen?
A black screen that does not respond to touch or buttons could mean the battery is completely drained, the display has failed, or the iPad is in a deep sleep state. Charge it for at least 30 minutes using a wall charger, then try the force restart. If the screen stays black but you hear sounds or feel vibration, the display may need repair.
Can a frozen iPad be fixed without a computer?
Yes, for most cases. A force restart does not require a computer. If that fails, charging and disconnecting accessories are also computer-free steps. Only the update/restore and DFU steps require a computer.
How long should I wait before trying a force restart?
If the screen is unresponsive for more than 10 seconds and normal taps do nothing, you can try a force restart immediately. There is no harm in doing it soon after the freeze occurs. Waiting longer will not help; the iPad is stuck.