Your iPad touchscreen won't respond, and even getting past the Lock Screen is a struggle. Start with the buttons: you can force restart the iPad without touching the display or erasing your data. From there, work through screen and accessory checks, then app settings, software recovery, and repair.
Force restart your iPad first
A force restart needs no touchscreen input. Choose the sequence that matches your iPad.
On an iPad without a Home button, quickly press and release the volume button closest to the top button. This includes models with Touch ID in the top button.
Quickly press and release the other volume button.
Hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
On an iPad with a Home button, hold the Home button and top button together until the Apple logo appears.
Release both buttons.
If the screen stays black and the iPad won't turn on, connect it to power for up to an hour.
Retry the force-restart sequence for your model after charging.
If the iPad starts but touch still doesn't work, try cleaning the display and removing its case and screen protector next.
Clean and uncover the screen
Turn off the iPad before cleaning: without a Home button, hold the top button and either volume button; with a Home button, hold the top button. Drag the power slider if touch works enough to use it. Disconnect cables before cleaning.
For standard display glass, wipe the screen with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Keep moisture out of openings, and avoid abrasive cleaners and compressed air. Let the screen dry before testing it.
For an iPad Pro with nano-texture glass, use the supplied polishing cloth instead. Apple permits occasional use of 70% isopropyl alcohol on that cloth for stubborn marks.
Remove the case or cover and test touch again. If touch still fails, remove the added screen protector and retest the uncovered display. Use the pad of your finger for taps and swipes, rather than your fingernail.
Rule out the charging connection
If touch stops working while charging, test the connection:
- 1.Disconnect all Lightning or USB-C accessories, including the charging cable.
- 2.Test taps and swipes with the iPad disconnected.
- 3.If touch works again, try a different electrical outlet.
- 4.If the problem returns, try a different charging cable.
- 5.Try a different charger if needed, testing touch after each change.
Unstick an app that stops responding
These steps address an app freeze when touch still works elsewhere.
On iPadOS 27, swipe up from the bottom, pause, and release to open Exposé. On a Home-button iPad, double-click the Home button instead.
Swipe upward on the affected app preview to close it.
Reopen the app from the Home Screen, App Library, or Dock.
For a repeat freeze, open App Store.
Tap your profile icon.
Open App Updates.
Install an available update for the affected app.
If an internet-dependent app is waiting for content, test it on a working Wi-Fi connection.
Before deleting a persistently failing app, check what local app data you need to keep. Deletion removes related local data.
Touch and hold the app's icon.
Choose Remove App > Delete App > Delete.
To find it again, open App Store > your profile photo > Apps & Purchase History > Your Apps > Not on this iPad. Reinstallation requires the app to remain available for your iPad and Apple Account.
Tap the app's Redownload button.
For an Apple Arcade game, search for the game instead.
Download the game again.
If the same app still fails after reinstallation, contact its developer through its App Support information.
Check settings that change how taps work
Does the iPad speak selected controls, ignore quick taps, or stay locked in one app? Accessibility settings deliberately change how touch works. These menu paths use iPadOS 27.
If the iPad speaks or selects controls instead of opening them, open Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver. While VoiceOver is active, a single tap selects an item and a double-tap activates it.
Turn VoiceOver off if it was enabled unintentionally.
For delayed, ignored, or merged taps, open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accommodations.
Select Reset Touch Accommodations to reset that configuration. This resets accessibility preferences; it does not repair damaged touchscreen hardware.
If Guided Access is blocking touch, triple-click the top button, or the Home button on a Home-button iPad.
Authenticate with the Guided Access passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.
Choose Guided Access if a shortcuts panel appears.
Tap End.
For unintended scanning or switch-selection behavior, open Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control using available input.
Turn Switch Control off. A previously configured Accessibility Shortcut also lets you toggle it; ordinary touch gestures do not exit an active session.
If these checks don't restore normal touch, try a mouse or trackpad to reach the software settings below. If you cannot navigate at all, move to computer recovery.
Use a mouse or trackpad to regain access
A pointer restores access to controls while finger input is unavailable; it does not repair the touchscreen.
Try reconnecting a previously paired Bluetooth mouse or trackpad.
To pair a new accessory when some input still works, put it in pairing mode.
Open Settings > Bluetooth.
Select the accessory under Other Devices.
For a compatible wired pointer, connect it through USB-C or Lightning, using an adapter if needed.
Enable Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch for the wired pointer. Initial setup and accessory authorization require usable input when prompted.
Install updates and address persistent freezing
Open Settings > General > Software Update using working touch or alternative input.
Choose Download and Install for the compatible update offered to your iPad.
If freezing or extreme slowness makes touch seem unresponsive, open Settings > General > iPad Storage. Apple recommends keeping at least 1 GB free.
Review the storage recommendations.
Select an app to offload or delete. Offloading retains its documents and data; deletion removes the app and related data.
For a persistent settings-related problem, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings. Personal content remains, but system settings reset; Apple describes this step as rarely necessary.
Follow the confirmation prompts to reset the settings.
Tip: Install the latest compatible update offered to your model, since older iPads cannot all run iPadOS 27.
Recover software when touch is completely unavailable
Use recovery mode when the iPad remains unresponsive and you cannot reach its settings. Entering recovery uses hardware buttons, so it needs no touchscreen input.
Connect the iPad to your computer.
Open Finder on a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, or Apple Devices on Windows.
On an iPad without a Home button, quickly press and release the volume button nearest the top button.
Quickly press and release the other volume button.
Hold the top button past the Apple logo until the recovery screen appears.
On a Home-button iPad, hold the Home button and top button until the iPad shuts down.
Release the top button while continuing to hold the Home button until the recovery screen appears.
Choose Update when the computer offers the recovery options.
If the download takes longer than 15 minutes and the iPad exits recovery, let the download finish.
Repeat the button sequence for your model to re-enter recovery.
If updating fails to resolve the software problem, back up first if possible. The next option, Restore, erases the iPad and reinstalls iPadOS, so unbacked-up data is lost. Restoration cannot repair physical display damage.
Choose Restore only as a last resort for the persistent software problem.
Arrange service for persistent touch failures
Professional service addresses persistent touch failures and physical display damage.
If trouble started after a display replacement, return to the repair provider for an assessment of the installed display and its completed configuration. Apple identifies missed, misplaced, and unexpected touches among possible problems with non-genuine displays.
For a touchscreen that still fails after troubleshooting, start a request through Apple's iPad repair page. Depending on your model, coverage, and region, service routes include Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider appointments, mail-in service, and eligible AppleCare replacement options.
For help from another functioning compatible Apple device, open the Apple Support app.
Use its guided troubleshooting or appointment-booking flow to get assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can temperature make my iPad stop responding normally?
Apple specifies an operating ambient range of 32–95°F (0–35°C). If a temperature warning appears, turn off the iPad. Move it out of direct sunlight to a cooler environment and let it cool. For cold-related problems, move it to a moderate ambient temperature.
What should I do if a school or work iPad ignores all touch?
Ask its administrator to inspect the App Lock policy. Managed iPads support a restriction that disables all touch; the administrator can enable the Touch setting or remove the touch-disabling policy.
Why do taps work but touch-and-hold gestures take too long?
Haptic Touch controls long-press timing. Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Haptic Touch, select Fast or Slow, then test using the displayed image.
Why won't tapping the sleeping screen wake my iPad?
On supported models, enable Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Tap to Wake. This setting controls waking the display only. It is unavailable on iPad (9th generation).