My iPad Won’t Turn On. Here Are Four Ways To Fix It!

You might not be able to do great things like reading and sending emails, browsing the web, video streaming, listening to your favorite music and many more if your iPad won’t turn on after updating to the latest version of iOS. 

This kind of issue has been experienced recently by few iPad users after updating their devices to iOS 13.3. They mentioned that their iPad is not turning on or it is only stuck on black screen with no indication of power after implementing the update. If this is the kind of error that brought you to this page, learn how to fix your iPad that won’t turn on by reading further. 

Troubleshoot iPad won’t turn on after installing iOS 13.3 update

If there is a problem with the iPad’s screen, it may show a black screen only while trying to turn on the device. That’s why you’ll have an impression that it is not turning on. Other hardware damage like a defective battery connector can also trigger such issue to occur. If the battery is already faulty, it may also cause problems like an iPad that won’t turn on.

To deal with software-related problem that is causing your iPad not turning on after iOS 13.3 update, you can find some compiled solutions below. Follow them thoroughly to fix the dreaded situation on your device. 

First solution: Force restart your iPad

A lot of cases that a device like the iPad will go on a black screen after an update is due to a software crash. This will prevent  your device to initiate a start up and gets stuck on a black screen. Performing a force restart should help in activating the system due to the software crash and might instigate a power start up. 

For iPad models with a Home button, here’s how to do a force restart: 

1. Press and hold the Home button and the Top button at the same time. 
2. Release the Home and Top button once Apple logo appears. 

For other iPad models, here are the steps: 

1. Press and release quickly the Volume Up button. 
2. Press and release quickly the Volume Down button. 
3. Then press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears. 

If the iPad has successfully turned on, allow the reboot process to be completed and then update the apps on your device. This should help in stabilizing its performance and avoid future complications that an outdated app could bring. Here are the steps: 

1. Connect your iPad to a Wi-Fi network. 
2. From the Home screen, tap on App Store to open it. 
3. Tap on Today tab at the bottom. 
4. Then tap on the user profile icon on the top right corner of the screen. 
5. You should see the account details. 
6. Scroll down to the Available Updates section. 
7. Tap on Update next to the app to update individual apps.
8. Tap on Update All to update all apps simultaneously. 

Once updates are done and installed, reboot your device to implement necessary changes and clear dump cache from the recent updates. 

Second solution: Factory reset your iPad via iTunes

Complex system error could occur after a software update and this may cause serious threats like an iPad not turning on. Removing the current contents on your iPad may help in fixing the issue as this will refresh the entire system and will also remove stubborn glitches that are looking underneath the iPad’s OS. 

To perform a master reset on your iPad, you’ll need to prepare a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes installed. If you have the requirements, follow the steps below: 

1. Connect your iPad to your computer using the Apple-supplied lightning/USB cable. 
2. If you have the iPad with the Home button, simultaneously press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button until you see the Apple logo.
3. For other iPad models, press and release the Volume Down button quickly. Then, press and hold the Side button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo.
4. Open iTunes on your computer once it’s connected.
5. From the iTunes main screen, select the Sync option. 
6. Once prompted, enter your device passcode to unlock your phone. This will backup your iPad to the computer. 
7. Click the option to Restore iPad from the most recent backup.
8. Then follow the rest of the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

If this is going to be successful, don’t forget to update the apps on your device. That should help in avoiding rogue apps that may cause an issue on your iPad that won’t turn on. 

Third solution: Perform a recovery mode restore to fix iPad won’t turn on

If your iPad is still stuck on a black screen and will not turn on, you may try performing a recovery mode restore process. This has been a useful method that deals with different kinds of errors on iOS devices. It will allow your device to communicate with iTunes even when the bootloader is only partially activated. 

It means that if there’s an error preventing your device to connect with iTunes and commands could not be initiated, this process might remove those glitches and activate the system. You’ll also need your computer to perform this process. If you’re ready, here’s how: 

1. Using the Apple-supplied USB/lightning cable, connect your iPad to the computer that you used to synced before. 
2. If you have the iPad with the Home button, simultaneously press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button. 
3. For other iPad models, press and release the Volume Down button quickly. Then, press and hold the Side button. 
4. Then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for iPads with home button or Side button for other iPad models until you see Recovery Mode on your iPad. Do not release the Sleep/Wake or Side button if you’ll see the Apple logo screen as you will need to enter recovery mode to restore your device.
5. Once iTunes prompts you to Restore or Update, select Restore. This will allow iTunes to download the software for your device. Your iPad will exit recovery mode if the download takes more than 15 minutes. If that happens, just repeat the steps to enter recovery mode again. 
6. Set up your device. 

You can restore previous backups once the process is completed. 

Fourth solution: Perform a DFU mode restore on your iPad

If none of the solutions is able to fix the won’t turn on issue on your iPad, a Device Firmware Update or DFU mode restore is your last resort. This is part of the advanced solutions that deals with fatal system error and the deepest type of restore that you can perform on iOS devices. This is more potent than a recovery mode restore as it will put your iPad in a state where it allows the device to communicate with iTunes even when bootloader is not sync or activated. 

There is one important thing that you’ll need to take note before executing this procedure. Make sure that your device has not incurred any physical damage like accidental dropping as it could lead to a brick iPad or a permanently damaged iPad. If you would like to try this method, here are the steps: 

For iPad with Home buttons: 

1. Prepare your Mac or Windows computer. 
2. Connect your iPad to the computer using the supplied USB/Lightning cable. Once connected, open iTunes on your computer. 
3. Simultaneously press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button. 
4. After 8 seconds, release the Sleep/Wake button while continue pressing the Home button until your iPad shows up in iTunes. 
5. Release the Home button once you see your iPad in iTunes then follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to start restoring your iPad through iTunes.

For other iPad models: 

1. Connect your iPad to the computer using the supplied USB/Lightning cable. Once connected, open iTunes on your computer. 
2. Press and quickly release the Volume up button.
3. Press and quickly release the Volume down button.
4. Press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen goes black.
5. After the screen turns black, press and hold the Volume down button while keep holding down the Power/Side button. 
6. Wait for 5 seconds then release the Power/Side button but keep holding the Volume down button until your iPad shows up in iTunes. 
7. Release the Volume down button once you see your iPad in iTunes then follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to start restoring your iPhone through iTunes.

To exit DFU mode on your iPad, just perform a force restart. 

Still having an iPad won’t turn on

Not all errors that occur after implementing a software update are caused by software glitches. It could be due to a faulty hardware component on your device that coincidentally happened after the installing software update. To validate the main reason on why your iPad is not turning on after iOS 13.3 update, it might be necessary to go to the nearest Apple service center in your area and have your device checked by their onsite technician. 

You may also send a report to Apple Support as they can provide you with additional information as well as official recommendations on how to fix the not turning on problem on your iPad.