In this tutorial we show how to restart and reboot an iPad. This can be an effective solution if your iPad has frozen or slowed down, or is otherwise malfunctioning.
The way you restart or reboot depends a bit on the model you’ve got. We will explain the steps you need to take to turn off and restart each generation of iPad below.
What’s the difference between restarting, force-restarting and rebooting?
Wondering whether you need to restart or reboot your iPad? It’s essentially the same thing, just a different word for “turning it off and on again”. The stock response for any IT department looking to solve computer-related ills.
The difference is when we introduce the word “force”, which is sometimes replaced by “hard”. This does make it a different process.
Sometimes your iPad might have hung and become so unresponsive that even attempting to turn it off isn’t registering. Even worse, it may be refusing to turn on. In that case, the best solution may be to a force-restart, also known as a hard reboot, and we will show you how to do that too.
How to restart an iPad
Restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)
If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:
- Simultaneously press and hold the top button and either volume button for a few seconds.
- Wait until you see Slide to Power Off appear on your screen.
- Swipe the Slide to Power Off slider.
- Press and hold the top button and wait for your device to turn on.
You will have to enter your passcode at start up, even if you usually use a Face ID or fingerprint for ID.
Restart iPad (models with the Home button)
- Press and hold the top button for a few seconds.
- Wait until you see Slide to Power Off appear on your screen.
- Swipe the Slide to Power Off slider.
- Press and hold the top button again and wait for your device to turn on.
You will have to enter your passcode at start up, even if you usually use a fingerprint for ID. If this doesn’t work it may indicate that a force-restart is necessary. We will explain how to do this in the next step.
How to restart an iPad: Hold down power button
How to force-restart an iPad
If your iPad has become unresponsive, or it’s shut it down and it won’t turn on again, all is not lost. There is a feature on iPadOS that can be used when the normal modes of operation aren’t working.
The method required for this procedure depends on the model of iPad you’re using.
Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)
If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:
- Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
- Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
- Press and hold the top button.
- When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.
Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)
Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
What to do if restarting your iPad doesn’t fix the problem
For bigger issues, you might find it necessary to reset your device to factory settings. A factory reset means your whole device will be wiped and the settings will return to the default settings that it left the factory with.
If even that doesn’t solve the problem, a trip to the Apple Store is in order. Sadly, this often results in a fixed device but with all the data wiped clean, which makes it vitally important that you backed up your iPad beforehand, either with iCloud or computer. With that safety net in place you can restore your device when it starts to have problems. Read about how to back up your iPad.
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