Your iPad won't go into recovery mode, and you're stuck staring at the Apple logo, a black screen, or the passcode screen. Start with the button sequence for your model, then work through the charging and computer connection checks below. Once the computer detects your iPad in recovery mode, you can choose how to recover it.
Start with the right buttons for your iPad
Connect your iPad to a computer by USB.
Open Finder on a Mac or Apple Devices on Windows.
For an iPad without a Home button, quickly press and release the volume button nearest the top button. This includes models with Touch ID in the top button.
Quickly press and release the volume button farthest from the top button.
Hold the top button until the computer-and-cable screen appears. Keep holding past the Apple logo: releasing at the logo stops at a restart instead of entering recovery mode.
For an iPad with a physical Home button, hold Home and the top button together while the iPad is connected.
When the iPad turns off, release the top button while continuing to hold Home until the recovery screen appears.
If the passcode screen returns, try a complete shutdown next. If the screen stays black or your computer cannot detect the iPad, move to the charging or connection checks below.
Retry from a complete shutdown
Disconnect the iPad from your computer.
Bring up the power-off slider: on a model without Home, hold a volume button and the top button together; on a model with Home, hold the top button.
Drag the power-off slider.
Wait one minute.
Reconnect the iPad to your computer.
Repeat the recovery button sequence for your model above.
If you land on the passcode screen again, repeat this shutdown-and-retry sequence.
Check the connection when your computer cannot see the iPad
A faulty USB connection prevents the computer from detecting your iPad, even with the right button sequence.
Disconnect the cable.
Inspect the iPad's charging port for debris.
Try another cable that supports both data and charging. Charging alone doesn't establish that the cable supports data.
Move the cable to another USB port on the computer.
On a Mac, click Allow if you see Allow accessory to connect?.
Look for your iPad in the Finder sidebar.
If the sidebar is hidden, choose View > Show Sidebar.
On Windows, look for your iPad in the Apple Devices sidebar.
If detection still fails on a Mac, open the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update on macOS Ventura or later. On an earlier macOS version that still uses Finder, open the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update instead.
Install the offered compatible update using Update, Upgrade, or Restart Now, as displayed.
On Windows, install Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store if it isn't installed.
Check the Microsoft Store for Apple Devices updates.
Retry recovery after updating.
If your computer still doesn't detect the iPad, try another computer.
Get a black or frozen screen responding
Charging addresses insufficient power; a force restart addresses an unresponsive iPad.
Connect a black-screen iPad to a suitable power source for up to an hour.
Try turning it on after charging.
For a frozen iPad without Home, quickly press and release the volume button nearest the top button.
Quickly press and release the farthest volume button.
Hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
For a frozen iPad with Home, hold Home and the top button together until the Apple logo appears.
Reconnect the iPad to your computer.
Perform the recovery sequence from the first section. A force restart alone doesn't enter recovery mode.
Free up buttons that do not respond
A stuck, intermittent, or unresponsive Home, top, or volume button interrupts the recovery sequence. Use these checks when a required button isn't working reliably.
Remove any case or protective film obstructing the buttons.
Clean dirt around the buttons with a soft cloth.
Retry the recovery sequence with the iPad connected to your computer.
If a required button remains damaged or unreliable, select Set up an iPad repair on Apple's button-support page.
Re-enter recovery after a download timeout
A software download lasting more than 15 minutes is a cause of the iPad leaving recovery mode before the download finishes.
Let the computer finish downloading the software. There's no need to restart the download just because the recovery screen disappeared.
Once the download finishes, repeat the recovery button sequence with your iPad connected.
Resume Update or Restore when the computer detects the iPad again.
If you see Error 1671, wait for the software download to finish.
Finish with Update before choosing Restore
Select the detected iPad in Finder or Apple Devices.
Choose Update first when troubleshooting.
Choose Restore if updating doesn't resolve the problem. This reinstalls iPadOS and erases your iPad.
If recovery still fails, use Get service on Apple's recovery mode support page.
If you don't have a usable computer, seek help from an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Keep track of where things stop: an update or restore error after detection needs different troubleshooting from an iPad that never reaches recovery mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if Recovery Assistant appears?
Select Continue, connect to Wi-Fi, and let recovery complete. Restart the iPad afterward. Recovery Assistant does not support captive-portal networks, such as those requiring a browser sign-in, or 802.1X networks.
Can I use AssistiveTouch to enter recovery mode with a broken button?
AssistiveTouch offers a restart option, but Apple provides no recovery-mode entry command through it. Tenorshare advertises recovery entry through ReiBoot for recognized compatible iPads. Software entry still depends on device detection and Apple's host-pairing restrictions; it isn't a universal workaround for a locked, frozen, or undetected iPad.
Do I need to change Trust or Wired Accessories settings?
These settings address normal-mode communication on an accessible iPad. First disconnect the iPad, unlock it, and reconnect it. Approve Trust on the computer and iPad when prompted. Accessory permissions are under Settings > Privacy & Security > Wired Accessories. That menu is not a recovery-mode switch, and you cannot operate it on a frozen or unavailable iPad.
Can I reset a locked iPad without a computer?
On iPadOS 17 or later, an unavailable iPad offers a reset option when Find My was previously enabled, an active network connection is available, and you know the Apple Account password. Tap Forgot Passcode?, then Start iPad Reset. Enter the Apple Account password. Tap Erase iPad. This erases the device without entering computer recovery mode.