2 Simple Ways to Reboot an iPad + Common Fixes

PDF download Download Article
A user-friendly guide to force restart or soft restart your iPad
PDF download Download Article

If your iPad is frozen, unresponsive, or slow, you can restart it. The buttons will vary slightly depending on the model, but it can be done in a few simple steps. Here's how to reboot an iPad, iPad Pro, Air, or Mini with and without a Home button.

Quick Steps

  1. Press and hold either volume button and the top button.
  2. Drag the power off slider to the right.
  3. Wait 30 seconds for the iPad to power off.
  4. Press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
Section 1 of 3:

Normal Restart

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do this until you see the power off slider. [1]
    • If your iPad has a Home button, you'll just need to press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will power off your iPad.
    • Wait at least 30 seconds before continuing to the next step.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You should see your iPad's lock screen in a few moments.
    • When you restart your iPad, you'll need to unlock it again with your passcode or Face ID.
    • If your iPad is frozen or unresponsive, you can try a force restart instead.
    4. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Force Restart

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will vary depending on your iPad model. [2]
    • If your iPad has a Home button, simply press and hold the top button and Home button at the same time. Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will vary depending on your iPad model.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the iPad's lock button.
    • Wait for the Apple logo to appear.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You should see your iPad's lock screen in a few moments.
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your iPad is frozen or unresponsive, it may be running out of battery. In this case, leave it plugged in for at least an hour before you try to restart it again.
    • Make sure to use the proper charging block . If the wattage is too low, your iPad will take longer to charge.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Reboot-an-iPad-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Reboot-an-iPad-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Reset your iPad. You'll need to connect your iPad to a computer. If you're using a Mac, open the Finder . If you're using a Windows PC, open iTunes . Locate your iPad on your computer, and then do the following:
    • On iPads without a Home button: Quickly press and release the volume button closest to the top button. Quickly press and release the volume button farthest from the top button. Press and hold the top button. Continue holding as the iPad begins to restart.
      • On iPads with a Home button: press and hold the Home button and top button.
    • Wait for the recovery mode screen to appear on the iPad.
    • On your computer, select Update from the pop-up menu.
    • Wait for the iPad to update.
    3. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    My iPad won't turn on after a reset. It just displays the Apple logo then shuts off. How do I fix this?
    Community Answer
    Most likely your iPad has been bricked. You can look online for various methods of unbricking iOS devices. One way is by connecting your device to a computer (if it is a Windows based system, you must have iTunes installed) and seeing if the computer can recognize the iPad. If not, you'll need to bring your device into the Apple store.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How do I do a hard reset of my iPad?
    Community Answer
    Press the Off button for a long time and press Reset. If it's not there, go to Settings and tap Reset the same way.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 25 Helpful 19
  • Question
    My iPad is connecting to WiFi but my Facebook and Gmail are not. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    It may be because of the WiFi you are using. Try turning it off and on, and try again. If it still doesn't work, it might be because Facebook and Gmail are blocked on the WiFi.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 5
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If your iPad is not charging properly, try swapping out the cables and the wall adapter. If it is still not charging after trying new cables, perform a factory reset.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Reset an iPad Without the Password
      2 Ways to Screen Mirror Your iPhone to iPad
      How to
      Tell if Your iPad Is Too Old to Update
      iPad Battery Draining Fast? 8 Quick Solutions
      How to
      See if Someone Read Your Text on iPhone & iPad
      A Quick Guide to Transfer Photos from an iPad to Your Computer
      How to
      Fix an iPad Stuck in Headphone Mode: 7 Easy Ways
      A Complete Guide to Jailbreak an iPad, iPad Pro, or Mini
      How to
      Use Smart View on iPhone or iPad
      7 Ways to Transfer Files to iPad from PC or Mac
      How to
      Turn Off AirPlay: The Complete Guide
      How to
      Make a Heart Symbol on iPhone or iPad
      Use Your iPad to Stream Video or Mirror Your Screen to a TV
      3 Simple Ways to Completely Power Down Your iPad or iPad Pro
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/101603
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/force-restart-ipad-ipad9955c007/ipados

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Press and hold the Power and Home buttons.
      2. Release your fingers when you see the logo.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 659,049 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement