It’s a rough feeling when your iPad Pro M5 goes dark and won’t turn back on. Whether it’s the 11-inch or 13-inch model, the fix is usually straightforward. Let’s walk through what’s likely going on and how to get it running again.
Start With a Force Restart
When the screen is black and unresponsive, the first thing to try is a force restart. This bypasses any software hang that’s frozen the iPad without erasing your data.
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. Keep holding the Top button even after the screen goes black it can take up to ten seconds for the logo to show up.
If the Apple logo appears, let go and let the iPad boot normally. This fixes most “won’t turn on” situations caused by a temporary software glitch.
Make Sure It’s Actually Charged
A completely drained battery is another common reason the iPad Pro M5 won’t power on. Plug it into a wall charger using a USB-C cable and leave it for at least 30 minutes. The iPad Pro M5 supports fast charging, but only if you’re using a power adapter that delivers 60 W or higher.
For the best results, Apple recommends its 40W dynamic power adapter (model A3351) or any USB-C adapter rated at 60 W or more. A standard iPhone brick won’t cut it you’ll get a very slow trickle and might think the iPad is dead when it’s just not getting enough juice.
While it’s charging, look at the screen for a low‑battery icon. If you see one after a few minutes, let it charge up to at least 20 % before trying to turn it on again.
Check the USB‑C Port and Cable
Dust and debris love to collect in the iPad’s USB‑C port. Even a tiny bit of pocket lint can prevent the charger from making a solid connection. Take a look inside the port with a flashlight if you see gunk, use a wooden toothpick or a soft plastic pick to gently remove it. Don’t use anything metal that could short the pins.
Also inspect your charging cable and adapter for visible damage. Frayed cables, bent connectors, or cracked bricks are a common cause of charging failure. Try a different USB‑C cable and a different power adapter to rule out a bad accessory.
Let a Software Glitch Clear Itself
Sometimes the iPad Pro M5 gets stuck in a low‑power state or a corrupted cache prevents booting. After trying the force restart, give it an hour on the charger with no interaction. If the screen remains black, try a second force restart some users report needing two attempts to clear a stubborn software hiccup.
If the iPad turns on but gets stuck on the Apple logo or a black screen repeatedly, you may have a deeper software issue. In that case, connect it to a computer (Mac or Windows with the latest iTunes or Finder) and try putting it into recovery mode. The steps are the same as the force restart but you’ll hold the Top button until the “Connect to Computer” screen appears instead of the Apple logo. From there you can restore the iPad’s firmware, which will erase everything so only do this if you have a backup or are prepared to start fresh.
Force Close Stuck Background Processes
If the iPad turns on but then goes black again after a few seconds, a rogue app or background process might be the culprit. On current iPadOS 18, you can force close all apps by swiping up from the bottom and holding, then swiping away each app card. That’s a long shot if the device won’t turn on at all, but if you manage to get it to boot briefly, this can prevent another crash.
In my experience, the force restart and a thorough check of the charging setup resolve about 95 % of dead‑iPad situations. The iPad Pro M5 is reliable hardware most “won’t turn on” cases are simply a drained battery or a temporary software freeze.
