Performance issues in iOS devices like the iPad Air 3 particularly those transpiring in new devices are usually due to software-related factors. Memory-related problems, rogue apps, corrupt files, bad updates and malware are usually the main triggers. In worst cases, performance problems are directly attributed to hardware damage.
Among the widespread performance issues encountered by Apple users include random lags, sluggishness, system crashes, infinite bootloops, and stuck problems to name same. The main issue tackled in this post is on sluggishness or delayed touchscreen response on an iPad Air 3 tablet. Read on to learn what to do to speed up your iPad Air 3 without rushing to a service center.
Before going further, if you found this post because you were trying to find a solution to your problem, then try to visit our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed most of the commonly reported issues with the phone. We’ve already provided solutions to some of the problems reported by our readers so try to find issues that are similar to yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you and if you need further assistance, fill up our iPad issues questionnaire and hit submit.
Fixing iPad Air 3 with delayed touchscreen response
Before you begin, check and make sure that your iPad still has sufficient memory space. To do this, go to Settings-> General-> iPad Storage menu then check how much is the available storage left. If the remaining storage is less than 1GB, then that definitely is an indication that it’s running low on memory and therefore experiencing performance-related symptoms. And this is when you’ll have to free up some space by deleting unwanted contents or transferring some critical files to other backup drives. If memory isn’t a problem, then you can proceed to system troubleshooting to eliminate software-related factors as main triggers.
First solution: End all background apps.
Among the many factors that can slow down a device are bad apps. Apps that are left suspended or running in the background are usually the ones turning rogue over time. Suspended apps are the apps you’ve used or opened but not closed. They continue to run as background apps unless you clear them out. To eliminate this from the possible triggers, end all background apps on your iPad Air 3 with these steps:
- Go to your Home screen and press the Home key twice to view recent applications.
- Swipe on an app preview upward to close individual background app.
- After clearing all background apps, tap the Home screen or press the Home key to go back to the Home screen.
Once all background apps are closed, use your device as you normally do and see if that changes or makes its performance better.
ALSO READ: How to fix Bluetooth pairing error on your Apple iPad Air 3
Second solution: Reboot your iPad Air 3.
Another effective solution to random system sluggishness due to bad apps and corrupt files is a system reboot, otherwise known as a soft reset. This allows your device to refresh apps and system services and likewise clears out minor system flaws inflicted by glitching apps and random system crashes. Performing a soft reset does not cause permanent data loss as it won’t affect any saved information on the internal memory. That said, you can proceed even without backing up important files. Just follow these steps:
- Press and hold down the Power/Top button for a few seconds until the Power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to power off your device.
- After a few seconds, press and hold the Power/Top button until the Apple logo appears.
If your iPad Air 3 is still too slow to respond, perform a forced restart to abruptly end all rogue apps and corrupted files that caused the system to slow down. Here’s how to force restart an iPad Air 3:
- Simultaneously press and hold the Power button and Home button until the device shuts down and reboots. You can release the buttons when the Apple logo appears.
Allow your device to finish its bootup sequence and once it’s up and ready, use it to test its performance.
Third solution: Update apps and iOS, if available.
The next things to rule out are rogue apps and corrupt system files. Apps and system files are usually turning into an errant state when triggered by malwares and bugs. To rectify errant apps and corrupt system files, installing updates is recommended. If you haven’t set your apps to auto-update, then you can manually check for and implement pending app updates on your iPad Air 3 with these steps:
- From the Home screen, tap App Store. Doing so launches the Apple Store app.
- Scroll to the bottom of the App Store screen then tap on Updates. A list of apps with pending updates will appear.
- Navigate to the list of apps and then tap the Update button next to the name of the app to install individual update.
- If multiple app updates are available, tap the Update All button on the top-right corner of the screen.
To implement fix patches for errant system files, installing the latest iOS updates will help. If your device is still able to respond and connect to the Internet, then you can check for and installing OTA (over-the-air) system updates with these steps:
- From the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software update.
If your iPad Air 3 is responding very slow, you can update it manually through iTunes instead. This will require you to use a computer that’s connected to the Internet and has the latest version of iTunes app installed. Then proceed to these steps whenever you’re all set to update your iPad Air 3 manually:
- Connect your iPad to the computer using the original USB cable or Lightning cable that came with it.
- Open iTunes on your computer and wait for it to detect your iPad.
- When your iPad appears in iTunes, click on its icon to select it.
- Then click the Summary pane.
- Click the button to Check for Update.
- If a new update is available, click Download and Update.
- Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
Allow your device to finish updating and once the update is complete, reboot the system to implement the recent system changes and bug fixes. Then check and see if that solves the problem on iPad Air 3 regarding delayed touchscreen response.
ALSO READ: How to fix Messenger app that won’t work on iPad Air 3
Fourth solution: Delete unnecessary apps and old files.
Corrupt apps and files that are left residing in your iPad’s system folders may also be the main triggers. Thus deleting old and unnecessary apps and files is also considered among the possible fixes. Here’s how to access your iPad Air’s apps directory and then remove all unwanted contents:
- From the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap iPad Storage.
- Scroll through the list of apps then select the app that you wish to uninstall or remove from your iPad.
- Tap the option to Delete App then confirm.
After deleting apps, reboot the iPad to clear cache and to refresh its memory and system functions. Then try to use it to find out if sluggish response is still transpiring.
Fifth solution: Reset all settings on your iPad Air.
Settings that aren’t properly configured or update overrides that caused conflicts to system files and certain apps are the next factors to eliminate. This is usually needed if the problem started after installing updates for certain apps or iOS. Some updates can override settings on your device automatically and thereby result to some conflict especially if some options and values are customized according to your own preferences. So here’s what you should do then:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Choose Reset all settings from the given options.
- Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
- Finally, tap the option to confirm all settings reset.
Your device will restart automatically when the reset is finished and then loads up the default values and options. After it reboots, enable necessary features to use them again on your iPad and then see if the problem is gone.
Sixth solution: Erase your iPad Air and restore factory defaults.
If your iPad is still responding very slowly to touchscreen input commands, then your next option would be a factory reset. A full system reset is usually needed to get rid of fatal issues inflicted by complex system errors and malwares. But you have to note though that this reset could result to permanent data loss. Hence, backing up files before the reset is recommended. You can back up files from your iPad Air 3 to iCloud or iTunes on a computer drive. If you wish to proceed with a factory reset via settings, you can utilize iCloud backup. Then proceed to these steps whenever you’re ready to factory reset your iPad Air 3:
- From the Home screen, tap on Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Reset.
- Select the option to Erase all content and settings.
- Enter your passcode to proceed.
- Tap the option to confirm full system reset or factory reset.
Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to finish the factory reset.
You can also use iTunes to manually back up files to your computer drive and then use iTunes to manually erase and restore your iPad Air system.
You can use either a Windows or Mac computer for as long as it has the latest version of iTunes app and a stable internet access to sync with the Apple server, if needed.
ALSO READ: How to fix iPad Air 3 Skype app that keeps crashing after signing in
Last resort: Restore your iPad Air in iTunes.
The problem may be due to some fatal system errors that a factory reset could not rectify. As a result, the problem on delayed touchscreen response continues even after the master reset. At this point, your next option would be an iOS restore. But before you begin, be sure to back up all your important files to iTunes to evade from permanent data loss. Then follow these steps whenever you’re all set to start restoring your iPad Air 3 in iTunes:
- On your computer, launch or open iTunes.
- Then connect your iPad to the computer using the original USB cable while pressing and holding down the Home button.
- Release the Home button when the Connect to iTunes screen appears.
- At this point, iTunes will prompt you with a message saying that it has detected your iPad in recovery mode and that you can restore your device. If you see this message, just click the Restore iPad button to instigate recovery mode restore through iTunes.
Follow the rest of the onscreen commands to complete the recovery mode restore process in iTunes. Once the restore is complete, you can disconnect your iPad from the computer and then do a forced restart to exit recovery mode.
Still experiencing delayed touchscreen response on your iPad Air 3?
Perhaps the problem is more than just a mere software component. Performing the above procedures is usually enough to deal with software-related issues including performance issues that are inflicted by complex system errors or data corruption. To rule out hardware-related factors like a damage screen component from the underlying cause, you can take your iPad to the nearest Apple-authorized service center in your area and have it scrutinized by a technician. If hardware damage is present, then service is the key to resolving the issue.
Reporting the problem to your iPad provider or carrier is also another option to consider especially if your device is still covered by warranty.
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