If your iPad Pro refuses to charge or power on, it can be alarming—especially if you’ve tried multiple cables, outlets, and chargers. But before you panic or schedule a costly repair, there are several things you can try at home to get your iPad juicing up again.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot an iPad Pro that won’t charge or power on.
1. Clean the Lightning Port
Dust, lint, and debris can block the charging pins inside the port.
- Use a wooden toothpick or a soft, dry toothbrush.
- Gently scrape around the port to dislodge debris.
- Avoid using anything metallic that could damage the pins.
- Optionally, use a can of compressed air to blow out the port.
Once clean, plug in your charger and see if the iPad responds.
2. Try a Different Cable and Charger
Faulty or underpowered chargers are often to blame.
- Use a known-good Apple-certified cable and wall adapter.
- Avoid low-quality or frayed cables.
- If possible, try charging with a different USB-C or Lightning power brick.
- Also test the combo with another Apple device to confirm the charger works.
3. Force Restart While Charging
If your iPad is frozen or stuck in a power loop, a force restart might help.
- Plug your iPad into the charger.
- Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
- Then press and hold the Top (Power) button until the Apple logo appears.
- Keep holding if the screen stays black—it can take up to 30 seconds.
This trick often revives unresponsive iPads during charging failures.
4. Try Different Wall Outlets
The issue might be with the power source.
- Unplug the charger and try a different wall outlet.
- Avoid charging through USB ports on laptops or power strips.
- If possible, test a direct wall outlet in a different room.
5. Check for Physical or Battery Damage
Look for signs of hardware problems, especially if your iPad was dropped or exposed to heat.
- Is the iPad’s back bulging slightly? That could mean a swollen battery.
- Does the screen separate from the frame?
- Are there signs of water damage or overheating?
If yes, stop using the device and book a repair appointment immediately.
6. Book a Genius Bar Appointment
If the steps above don’t work, it’s time for a professional diagnostic.
- Visit Apple’s support page and schedule a Genius Bar appointment.
- A technician can run battery health checks and logic board diagnostics.
- If it’s a hardware issue, they’ll suggest a repair or replacement.
Common repairs may include:
- Battery replacement
- Charging port repair
- Power button replacement
- Logic board swap
Don’t Give Up Too Soon
Sometimes the battery is simply deeply drained and needs time to recover. Try leaving your iPad plugged in for at least an hour before assuming it’s dead.