iPad frozen? Here’s how to fix it
⚡ Fast fix
- Try closing the frozen app. If the iPad® still responds, swipe up from the bottom to open the App Switcher and close the app that's stuck.
- Force restart your iPad. A button combination can get an unresponsive iPad working again without erasing data.
- Check the battery. If the screen is black and nothing responds, connect the iPad to power and let it charge.
- Still frozen? Pop in a nearby uBreakiFix® by Asurion storefor a closer look from a repair expert.
You're scrolling, streaming, or working on your iPad when suddenly everything stops. The screen won't respond, apps won't close, and tapping harder (we've all tried it) isn't getting you anywhere.
Asurion Experts have helped troubleshoot plenty of tablets that stop cooperating, and a frozen iPad doesn't necessarily mean something is broken. Here's how we'd get it responding again.
Close the faulty app
If the iPad still responds to gestures, try closing the app that's stuck.
- On an iPad without a Home button: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
- On an iPad with a Home button: Double-click the Home button, find the frozen app and swipe up on its preview to close it.
Open the app again and see whether it works normally. If the entire screen is unresponsive, skip this step.
Force restart your iPad
When an iPad screen won't respond at all, Asurion recommends a force restart. Don't worry—this reset isn’t the same as an iPad factory reset, so you don’t have to worry about losing personal data like your photos or games.
- For iPads without a Home button: Press and quickly release the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons, then press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.
- For iPads with a Home button: Hold down the Home and Top buttons at the same time until you see the Apple logo, then release and let the iPad restart.
If the iPad starts normally, give it a minute to settle before reopening apps.
Keep your tablet working the way it should
Our experts can help. Schedule a repair or visit your nearest store today.
Charge the iPad if the screen stays black
A completely drained battery can make an iPad seem frozen or dead. Connect it to a working charger and allow up to an hour for it to respond.
If the iPad still won't start, try a different compatible cable or power adapter. Check the charging port for visible debris, but don't insert metal tools or force anything inside.
Update iPadOS
If the iPad starts working again but keeps freezing, check for software updates. Updates can resolve bugs that affect stability. Open Settings > General > Software Update, then install any available update.
It's also worth updating the specific app if the freezing happens only when using it.
Check your available storage
An iPad that's nearly out of storage may struggle to install updates or run apps smoothly. Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage to see what's using space. Remove downloads you no longer need, delete unused apps, or offload apps you want to keep data for.
Use recovery mode if the iPad won't start normally
If the iPad keeps freezing during startup, gets stuck on the Apple logo, or won't load iPadOS, recovery mode may help. Steps are below—for more details, check out our guide to putting your iPad in recovery mode.
Connect it to a Mac or Windows PC. Open Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows, then enter recovery mode using the button combination for your iPad model.
When the computer offers Update or Restore, try Update first to reinstall iPadOS without erasing your data. Restore erases the iPad, so save that option for when other troubleshooting has failed and you've considered the risk of losing anything not backed up.
If you've tried these steps and still need a little help, we're right around the corner. Schedule a repair at the nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion store and our certified experts can get your device back up and running as soon as the same day.
FAQ
How do I unfreeze my iPad without losing data?
Try a force restart. The button combination depends on whether the iPad has a Home button, but restarting it this way won't erase your personal files or apps.
Why is my iPad frozen and won't respond to touch?
A temporary software crash, misbehaving app, or touchscreen hardware problem could be responsible. Start with a force restart, then check for updates if the iPad responds again.
What if my iPad is stuck on the Apple logo?
Try a force restart first. If it remains stuck during startup, connect it to a computer and use recovery mode. Choose Update before considering Restore, which erases data.
Does a frozen iPad mean it's broken?
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