If your iPad is completely black and won't respond, start with a force restart. The steps depend on which model you have.
On an iPad without a Home button, press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button, then press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button. Then press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo appear.
On an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the Home button and the top button together. Keep holding both until the Apple logo shows up on the screen.
Check Your Charger and Cable
A fully drained battery is a very common reason an iPad won't turn on. Plug it into a wall outlet with its charging cable and power adapter, and let it charge for up to an hour before you try again.
Use a power adapter that can actually keep up with an iPad. The best choice is the adapter that came with your iPad. Many recent models, including the iPad (8th to 10th generation), iPad Air (4th generation and M2), iPad mini (6th generation) and several iPad Pro models, shipped with a 20W USB-C adapter. Any adapter that meets safety standards will work, but a low-power one can charge so slowly that the iPad seems dead.
While it charges, check the cable and the port. Look for lint, dust or debris in the iPad's USB-C or Lightning port, and gently clean it out with a dry, soft-bristled brush. Also try a different cable and power adapter if you have them.
Disconnect All Accessories
If anything is plugged into the charging port, like a hub, external drive or adapter, unplug it.
The same goes for keyboard cases. If your iPad sits in a Magic Keyboard or another keyboard case, take it out and charge the tablet directly with a cable. Some cases and covers can also interfere with sleep and wake, so removing them is a good test.
Look for Signs of Life
While it's plugged in, look closely at the screen in a dark room. A charging iPad shows a lightning bolt on the battery icon in the status bar or a large battery icon on the Lock Screen. If you see it, the iPad has power and just needs more time.
Also feel the back of the iPad after it has charged for 15 to 20 minutes. If it's slightly warm, power is likely reaching the battery. If it stays completely cold, the charging circuit might not be active.
Connect to a Computer
Connect your iPad to a Mac or a Windows PC with its charging cable. Plug it into a port on the computer itself rather than a hub, and make sure the computer is on and not asleep, because a sleeping computer won't charge the iPad.
Then check whether it shows up in Finder on a Mac or in the Apple Devices app on a Windows PC. If your computer recognizes it, the iPad has power and its core hardware is likely working.
Consider a Recent Update
If the problem started right after an iPadOS update, the installation might have been interrupted. Once the battery has some charge, try the force restart again.
If the iPad shows the Apple logo or a colored screen but never finishes starting up, use recovery mode to reinstall iPadOS without erasing your data:
- 1.Connect the iPad to your computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. On a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes. On a Windows PC, open the Apple Devices app.
- 2.Do the same force restart button sequence, but keep holding the top button (or the Home and top buttons) after the Apple logo appears, until you see the recovery mode screen.
- 3.Find your iPad on the computer and choose Update when asked to restore or update.
- 4.Wait while the computer downloads the software. If it takes more than 15 minutes, the iPad exits recovery mode, so repeat the button sequence and choose Update again.
Check for Physical or Liquid Damage
Think back to whether the iPad was dropped recently or got wet. Even a small amount of liquid can stop a device from powering on. Look for new cracks on the screen or dents in the body.
If you suspect liquid damage, stop trying to charge it. Unplug any cables and accessories, wipe the outside dry, and leave it in a dry spot with good airflow until it is completely dry before you try to power it on. Don't use a hair dryer or other heat source, and skip the rice, because small particles can get into the ports.
Environmental Factors
Extreme temperatures can stop your iPad from turning on. Apple designs iPads to work in ambient temperatures between 32° and 95° F (0° and 35° C). In very cold conditions an iPad can power down or stop charging, and when it gets too hot, charging can slow or stop until it returns to a normal temperature.
If it was in a cold car or in direct sun, bring it to a normal room temperature and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then charge it and try the force restart once more.
If none of these steps bring your iPad back, the battery or charging port may need service. Start a repair request on the Apple iPad repair page, where you can book an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider visit or set up a mail-in repair.