How To Force Restart Your IPad: A Step-by-Step Guide For All Models

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Published on November 1, 2025

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Having trouble with your iPad freezing, crashing, or just acting sluggish? A simple restart often solves the problem, but sometimes a regular restart isn’t enough. That’s where a force restart comes in handy. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to force restarting your iPad, regardless of the model you own, allowing you to quickly resolve common software glitches and get back to using your device.

A force restart, also known as a hard reset, interrupts the current operation of the iPad and forces it to reboot. This process doesn’t erase any data but effectively clears the device’s memory and restarts the operating system. Whether you have an older iPad or the latest iPad Pro, the method for force restarting varies slightly depending on the model. Let’s explore how to do it.

How Do I Force Restart My iPad?

Force Restarting iPads with a Home Button

These iPads include the original iPad, iPad 2, iPad (3rd generation), iPad (4th generation), iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 4.

Press and hold both the Power button (located on the top or side of the iPad) and the Home button simultaneously.
Continue holding both buttons.
Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
Wait for the iPad to restart.

Force Restarting iPads without a Home Button

These iPads include the iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air (4th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Power button (located on the top of the iPad).
Continue holding the Power button.
Release the Power button when the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Wait for the iPad to restart.

What if My iPad Still Won’t Restart?

If you’ve followed the steps above and your iPad still isn’t responding, there are a few additional things you can try:

Check the battery: Make sure your iPad has enough battery life. If the battery is completely drained, plug it into a charger and let it charge for at least 15-20 minutes before attempting a force restart.
Try a different charger and cable: A faulty charger or cable can prevent your iPad from charging properly.
Connect to a computer: If possible, connect your iPad to a computer and see if it’s recognized. If it is, you may be able to restore it using iTunes or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later).

Tips

A force restart is a safe procedure that won’t erase your data.
It’s usually the first troubleshooting step to take when your iPad is unresponsive.
If your iPad is frequently freezing or crashing, consider checking for software updates or resetting it to factory settings (as a last resort).
Make sure your fingers are dry and clean when pressing the buttons.

Comparing Force Restart Methods by iPad Model

Feature	iPad with Home Button	iPad without Home Button
Buttons Used	Power button and Home button	Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power button
Button Sequence	Hold Power and Home simultaneously	Press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold Power
Primary Use Case	Older iPad models	Newer iPad models
Data Loss Risk	None	None

Resolving iPad Issues with a Force Restart

A force restart is a valuable tool for quickly resolving common iPad issues. By understanding the correct method for your specific iPad model, you can efficiently address freezes, crashes, and other software glitches, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.

FAQ

What does force restarting my iPad do?

A force restart interrupts the iPad’s current operation and forces it to reboot, clearing its memory and restarting the operating system without erasing data.

Will a force restart delete my data?

No, a force restart does not delete any data on your iPad.

How often should I force restart my iPad?

You should only force restart your iPad when it’s unresponsive or experiencing significant performance issues.

What if my iPad still doesn’t turn on after a force restart?

Try charging your iPad for at least 15-20 minutes and then attempt the force restart again. If it still doesn’t turn on, consider connecting it to a computer to see if it’s recognized.

Is a force restart the same as a factory reset?

No, a force restart is different from a factory reset. A force restart simply restarts the device, while a factory reset erases all data and settings, restoring the iPad to its original state.