The iPad is very popular and lots of people use it. Sometimes, it can get stuck or freeze when you’re using an app or on the Home screen, leaving you with an unresponsivefrozen screen.
There are a few reasons why this might happen, but there are things you can do to fix it. Note: The advice in this article works for iPads running iPadOS 13 to iOS 9.
Reasons Why Your iPad Is Frozen or Gets Stuck on a Frozen Screen
Your iPad might freeze because apps are clashing or one has corrupted memory.
It could need charging or have too little space. Sometimes, the issue is with the operating system. Note: If your iPad won’t turn on or is frozen, learn how to fix it when it’s stuck on the Apple logo.
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Ways to Restart and Fix Your iPad When It Is Frozen
Some fixes are fast, others take longer, but one should work soon to get your unresponsive iPad working again. Certain fixes can be done when the iPad screen is frozen, while others need it to be running.
- To restart your iPad, press and hold the top button until a screen pops up to shut it down. Then, press and hold the top button again to switch it on. If it still doesn’t start, force restart your iPad by holding the top button and the home button until you see the Apple logo.
- For an iPad without a home button, press and quickly release the volume up button, then quickly release the volume down button, then hold the top button until your device begins to restart and you see the Apple logo.
- Charge the battery if the iPad screen seems frozen and unresponsive, as it might have a very low battery. Connect your iPad to a power source and let it charge for an hour, then try again. If the battery frequently runs low, find ways to make it last longer.
Note: To try the other fixes for frequent freezes, make sure your iPad is not frozen and you can access the Home screen before performing each fix.
- Remove the troublesome app. If your iPad freezes when you open a certain app, deleting the app might fix the issue.
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Note: Apps that you’ve removed can be downloaded again from the App Store. Simply search for the app you want, then tap the “Download” or “Get” button to reinstall it.
- Free up space on your iPad. Apps are getting larger, and if you fill up your iPad’s storage, it might freeze. Remove apps you don’t use or find ones that take up a lot of memory to solve the problem.
- Reset iPad settings to default. You can do this without deleting your data. It clears settings like location, privacy, Apple Pay, and network, but keeps your data and apps.
- Reset the iPad to its factory settings. If it freezes because of an operating system issue, restore your iPad to its original state. This clears all data, returning it to its initial setup. Afterward, reinstall apps and data, or restore a backup if possible.
Important: Regularly backup your iPad to reduce data loss when restoring it. If your iPad keeps freezing after a factory reset, reach out to Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for assistance.
Consider getting a new iPad Pro or Apple iPad if needed. Tip: Before going to the Apple Store, book an appointment with the Apple Genius Bar online to get quick technical support.
If your iPad still isn’t working after trying these steps to resolve the frozen screen, you may need more help. Here is a step-by-step transcript of what you can do next:
- Connect your iPad to a computer and open iTunes. If you don’t have a computer, borrow one from a friend or go to your local Apple Store or authorized service provider.
- Once iTunes is open, force your iPad to enter Recovery Mode:
- For an iPad with a home button: Press and hold the home button and the power button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- For an iPad without a home button: Press and quickly release the volume up button, then quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the top button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- When the option to Restore or Update appears, choose Update. iTunes will try to reinstall the software without erasing your data.
- If the Update doesn’t work, go back to Recovery Mode and choose Restore. This will erase your iPad and install the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
If problems still persist, check Apple’s support site to see the Apple Support article on this topic, or contact Apple Support directly.
Hopefully this guide helps any iPad user dealing with the dreaded unresponsive frozen screen. Remember, you don’t have to worry – there are always ways to get your device back up and running, whether you have an iPad Pro, an Apple iPad, or even an iPod.
Follow these troubleshooting tips and you’ll be back to using your favorite apps in the middle of something in no time!
