To hard reset (force restart) an iPad without a Home button, press and release the volume button nearest the top button, press and release the other volume button, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. With a Home button, hold the Home button and the top button together until the logo appears. A force restart doesn’t erase anything.
To turn an iPad off, hold the top button (plus either volume button on models without a Home button) and drag the slider. Factory resets, which erase everything, are covered below, using Apple’s Force restart iPad guide and related articles.
In this article:
- Force restart an iPad
- Restart an iPad normally
- Factory reset an iPad
- Reset an iPad with a computer
- If the iPad is stuck or won’t turn on
- Frequently asked questions
How to Force Restart (Hard Reset) an iPad
Apple suggests a force restart when your iPad isn’t responding and you can’t restart it by turning it off and on. The buttons depend on your model.
iPad without a Home button (Face ID or Touch ID in the top button)
- 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.
iPad with a Home button
- Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time.
- When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
The iPad restarts and shows the Apple logo, and your apps, photos and settings are still there.
How to Restart an iPad Normally
If the screen still responds, a regular restart is the gentler option. These steps are from Apple’s Restart your iPad article.
- Without a Home button: press and hold either volume button and the top button until the power off slider appears.
- With a Home button: press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears.
- From Control Center (iPadOS 18 and later): swipe down from the top-right corner, then press and hold the Power button in the top-right corner of the screen.
Drag the slider and wait 30 seconds for the iPad to turn off. To turn it back on, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo.
The iPad turns off and back on without losing any data.
You can also shut down through Settings > General > Shut Down, then drag the slider. This is useful when the screen works but a physical button does not. Apple’s iPad power guide covers this method. A quick press of the top button only puts the screen to sleep; a normal shutdown leaves the iPad powered off. A force restart turns it off and back on.
How to Factory Reset an iPad (Erase Everything)
A factory reset is different from a hard reset. Apple says erasing your iPad removes your personal information, content and settings and restores it to factory settings. Do this before you sell or give away the iPad, or when you want a clean start. Back up first, for example by turning on iCloud Backup.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General, then tap Transfer or Reset iPad.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- If asked, enter your iPad passcode or Apple Account password.
- Tap Continue to confirm.
If your iPad has an eSIM, Apple says you can choose to erase it or keep it. If you erase it, you’ll need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan. For a full walkthrough, see how to wipe an iPad clean.
The iPad is erased and ready to set up as new or restore from a backup.
Only want to fix a settings problem? You can reset settings on an iPad without erasing your content.
How to Reset an iPad With a Computer
You can also erase an iPad from a Mac or Windows PC. Apple’s Erase iPad guide lists these steps:
- Connect your iPad to your computer with a USB or USB-C cable.
- On a Mac, open a Finder window. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app. (On macOS 10.14 or earlier, or without Apple Devices, use iTunes.)
- Select the iPad in the Finder or Apple Devices sidebar, then open General. In iTunes, use the device button and Summary, as explained below.
- Click Restore iPad, then click Restore to confirm.
If you’re signed in to Find My, you need to sign out before you can click Restore. You can sign out of your Apple Account on the iPad first.
Forgot your passcode? Apple’s reset your iPad using your Mac or PC article explains how to put the iPad in recovery mode and restore it. That process deletes your data and settings, including the passcode, and can take up to 60 minutes.
The computer downloads iPad software and restores the iPad to factory settings.
Restore an iPad Through iTunes on an Older Setup
If your computer uses iTunes for device management, connect the iPad by USB, open iTunes, click the small device button near the top left, then select Summary > Restore iPad. Read the erase warning and confirm only after checking your backup. This reinstalls iPad software and erases local data; it is different from a force restart or choosing Restore Backup. Apple’s iTunes restore guide shows the device and Summary controls.
Use an updated app and an internet connection for the software download. For a normally accessible iPad, trust the computer when prompted and turn off Find My iPad before a factory restore. Apple’s computer-restore checklist covers preparation. Current Windows setups use Apple Devices, while current Macs use Finder. If a forgotten passcode prevents normal access, use the recovery-mode instructions below.
If a retry timer appears and you know the passcode, wait for that timer and enter the correct code. Repeated guesses can extend the lockout. A force restart does not remove a forgotten passcode.
If you changed the passcode within the last 72 hours on iPadOS 17 or later, try Forgot Passcode? > Enter Previous Passcode when offered. Enter the old code and follow the prompt to set a new one. This can preserve your data; it only works while the previous code remains eligible. Apple explains the requirements in its Passcode Reset guide.
Otherwise, regaining access with a forgotten passcode requires erasing the iPad. On iPadOS 17 or later, the on-device route is Forgot Passcode? > Start iPad Reset, enter the Apple Account password, then Erase iPad. iPadOS 15.2 or 16 can show Erase iPad directly. This requires Find My to have been enabled, a Wi-Fi or cellular connection and the Apple Account credentials. Read the erase confirmation carefully: local data and settings are deleted. During setup you can restore an available backup. See Apple’s reset without a computer instructions.
If that option is missing, use a Mac with Finder or a Windows PC with Apple Devices. Turn off the iPad, connect it by cable, then enter recovery mode. Without a Home button, quickly press and release the volume button closest to the top button, then the farthest one, and hold the top button. With a Home button, hold Home and the top or side button together. Keep holding past the Apple logo until the computer-and-cable screen appears.
Select the iPad in Finder or Apple Devices and choose Restore when offered Restore or Update. Restore erases the data and passcode; Update is not a forgotten-passcode bypass. If a download takes more than 15 minutes and the iPad exits recovery mode, let it finish and repeat the recovery-mode steps. Apple’s computer recovery guide covers these model-specific buttons. Erasing does not remove Activation Lock or replace the Apple Account credentials needed during setup.
For the full walkthrough, see how to reset an iPad without its passcode.
If the iPad Is Stuck or Won’t Turn On
For a black or frozen screen, try the model-specific force restart above, then charge the iPad for up to an hour if it stays off. Apple’s iPad power troubleshooting guide distinguishes a blank screen from an iPad that shows a logo but cannot finish starting.
Check the Charging Setup
Connect to a working power source with a suitable USB cable and adapter. Try another cable or adapter if charging does not work. A computer USB port must be on and awake. Apple’s charging checklist also recommends checking that the iPad is not too hot or cold. A black screen doesn’t necessarily mean the battery or display has failed.
If the iPad Is Stuck at the Apple Logo
Try Update before Restore. Update tries to reinstall iPadOS without erasing your data. Restore erases the iPad. Check your existing backup before you choose any erase option.
Connect the iPad to a computer with a USB cable. Open Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows (older setups use iTunes). Then put the iPad in recovery mode with Apple’s recovery-mode button steps:
- No Home button: quickly press and release the volume button nearest the top button, then the other volume button. Hold the top button past the Apple logo until the recovery screen (a computer and cable) appears.
- Home button: press and hold the Home button and the top button at the same time. Keep holding both until the recovery mode screen appears.
Select the iPad on the computer and choose Update first. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and the iPad leaves recovery mode, let the download finish and repeat the button steps. If updating fails, read the erase warning before you choose Restore.
When to Get Help
If it still will not start, or broken buttons prevent recovery mode, contact Apple or an authorized service provider. Note whether you saw a charging icon, Apple logo, recovery screen, or nothing, and which cable and power source you tried. Those details help them find the next step.
If a restore from recovery mode fails, the next step is usually DFU mode. See how to put an iPad in DFU mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a hard reset delete my data?
No. A force restart only restarts the iPad. Erasing All Content and Settings is what deletes your data.
What’s the difference between a hard reset and a factory reset?
A hard reset (force restart) turns the iPad off and on when it’s frozen. A factory reset erases everything and returns the iPad to the way it came from the factory.
What if my iPad still won’t respond?
Charge it for up to an hour and try the force restart again. If it still doesn’t work, Apple says you might need service.
How do I move everything to a new iPad?
See how to transfer data from an iPad to a new iPad.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are checked step by step against the device or app maker’s own documentation and tested on his own devices whenever he has the hardware or software, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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