An iPad freezes when an error stops the system from responding: the screen locks up, goes black or the device keeps restarting. This can happen for various reasons, and we look at some of them in this article.
If the device is still stuck, avoid restoring it or resetting it to factory settings: that can erase the data. To recover it, see Bot’s phone data recovery.
We also explain how to fix a frozen iPad when the screen is black or unresponsive (on models with and without a Home button) and when the iPad turns on but gets stuck during start-up.
Keep in mind that some of these fixes can lead to the total loss of your data, so we also explain what to do first if your iPad holds data you can’t afford to lose.
Why is my iPad slow or frozen?
There are several reasons why an iPad can become slow or freeze. Some of the most common are:
- Corrupted files;
- Faulty apps;
- An outdated operating system;
- Insufficient storage space or memory.
How to fix a frozen iPad
Below, you’ll find out how to fix your iPad if the screen is black or frozen, or if it turns on but gets stuck during start-up.
If the screen is black or frozen
If the screen has gone black or is frozen, start by turning the iPad off and on again.
The steps are different on models with and without a Home button:
iPad without a Home button
- Press and hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears;
- Drag the slider and wait 30 seconds for the iPad to turn off. If it doesn’t respond, force a restart: press and release the volume button closest to the top button, press and release the other volume button, then press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears;
- To turn the iPad back on, press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
iPad with a Home button
- Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears;
- Drag the slider and wait 30 seconds for the iPad to turn off. If it doesn’t respond, force a restart: press and hold the top button and the Home button together until the Apple logo appears;
- To turn it back on, press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
If your iPad turns on but gets stuck during start-up
If your iPad turns on but gets stuck while starting up, you have two options: put it into recovery mode and reinstall the system with iTunes (or Finder on a Mac), or repair it with third-party software, which we don’t recommend if you don’t have technical knowledge. Remember that a restore can permanently erase all your data. If you have important data on your iPad, consider talking to a professional data recovery company first.
Put your iPad into recovery mode and restore it with iTunes
If your iPad is still frozen after a forced restart, the next step is to reinstall its operating system (iPadOS).
The iPad may be unable to start normally because the system files it needs to boot, or other essential functions, are damaged.
The solution? Reinstall the system through iTunes (on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, use Finder).
Remember that a full restore erases all the data on your iPad, so you will only get it back if you have a backup.
- First, download and install the latest version of iTunes on your Windows computer (on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, Finder does the same job);
- Open iTunes (or Finder) and connect your iPad to the computer;
- With the iPad connected to the computer, put it into recovery mode:
- iPad without a Home button: press and release the volume button closest to the top button, press and release the other volume button, then press and hold the top button until the recovery mode screen appears;
- iPad with a Home button: press and hold the Home button and the top button at the same time, and keep holding them until the recovery mode screen appears.
- Back on the computer, a window will offer two options: Update and Restore. Choose Update first, which reinstalls iPadOS without erasing your data. Only if that doesn’t work should you choose Restore, which erases everything on the iPad. The process may take a while; if the iPad exits recovery mode or something goes wrong, start again;
- When the process has finished, disconnect your iPad from the computer and set it up as you prefer.
If this doesn’t fix the problem, or you’d prefer another option, try the alternative below.
Fix the problem with Tenorshare ReiBoot
iOS repair software is another way to fix a frozen iPad, as not every problem that leaves it in this state can be solved with a forced restart or a reinstall through iTunes. But once again, these procedures require technical knowledge and put your data at risk.
To repair iPadOS on your iPad with Tenorshare ReiBoot:
- Download and install Tenorshare ReiBoot on your computer (Windows or Mac);
- Once it is installed, open the program and connect your iPad with a USB cable;
- With the iPad connected, click “Start” on ReiBoot’s main screen;
- On the next screen, click “Repair Now”;
- The program will ask you to download the latest firmware package compatible with your iPad. Click “Download”;
- When the download has finished, click “Repair Now” to start repairing the system;
- Wait for the repair to finish. When it does, the program will tell you that the process is complete, and you can disconnect your iPad and set it up as you prefer.
Read next
Conclusion
An iPad can freeze because of corrupted files, faulty apps, an outdated operating system or insufficient storage space or memory.
To fix it, start by turning it off and on again or forcing a restart. If that doesn’t work, reinstall the system in recovery mode or use repair software.
A forced restart doesn’t erase your data, but restoring the iPad does, and data erased by a restore can only be brought back from a backup. If your iPad won’t start and holds important files with no backup, talk to a professional data recovery service such as Bot before restoring it.
We have more than two decades of experience in data recovery, with more than 200,000 cases on all kinds of devices.
What’s more, Bot collects your device free of charge (islands not included), and the standard diagnosis is free, with results within 48 hours.
Trust Bot, with a 96% success rate: start your recovery with Bot now!
