How to Turn Any iPad On: Beginner's Guide + Common Fixes

Download Article

Get any iPad model up and running again

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: August 3, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Turning On an iPad

|

Troubleshooting

|

Video

Whether your iPad is new or refurbished, you may need help powering it up. If it's charged enough, you just need to press and hold the lock button until the Apple logo appears. Here's how to turn on an iPad and what to do if it's frozen.

How to Get Your iPad to Turn On

To turn on your iPad, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, which is on the topmost edge of your iPad. If your iPad won't turn on, plug it into a power source for thirty minutes and then try to turn it on again. Sometimes, you may need to force restart your iPad, update it with a computer, or reset it.

Section 1 of 2:

Turning On an iPad

Download Article

When the iPad is held vertically, this is the button on the top-right.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Wait for the Apple logo to appear. This can take up to 8 seconds.
- If the Apple logo doesn't appear, charge your iPad for at least 2 hours before trying again.
- If it still doesn't turn on, see the troubleshooting section.
Advertisement
3
Swipe right to unlock the iPad. If the iPad has a passcode or Face ID, you'll be asked to verify it.
- To turn your iPad off, press and hold either volume button and the top button at the same time. Then, drag the slider to the right.

Section 2 of 2:

Troubleshooting

Download Article

Before starting any troubleshooting steps, make sure to let your iPad charge for at least two hours.
2
If your screen is frozen, force restart your iPad. This process is slightly different from powering on your iPad normally. Do the following:
- 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 (lock) button until the Apple logo appears.
- Release the top button.
3
If your iPad gets stuck, use a computer to update it. If your iPad is having problems completing the startup process, consider updating the software.^{[2]
X
Research source} 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.
4
If your iPad can't update, put it in Recovery Mode. If you cannot turn on your iPad, you may need to enable recovery mode. If you have not backed up your iPad onto a computer, recovery mode will revert your iPad back to its factory settings. Be careful, this will erase all of the music, apps, and files on your iPad.
- 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 Restore from the pop-up menu.
- Set up your iPad again.