How To Restart IPad: A Step-by-Step Guide For Every Model

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Published on November 9, 2025

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Is your iPad acting up? A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches and performance issues. This guide provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions on how to restart your iPad, regardless of the model you own. Whether you have a classic iPad, an iPad Air, an iPad Pro, or an iPad mini, we’ve got you covered.

Restarting your iPad is a fundamental troubleshooting step that can fix a variety of problems, from frozen apps to unresponsive touchscreens. This guide offers detailed, model-specific instructions, ensuring you can quickly and effectively restart your device and get back to enjoying its features.

How Do I Restart My iPad?

The process for restarting your iPad varies slightly depending on the model. Here’s a breakdown of the steps for different iPad versions:

Restarting iPads With a Home Button

These iPads include the classic iPad, iPad Air (1st and 2nd generation), and iPad mini (all generations with a Home button).

Press and hold the Top (or Side) button: This button is located on the top-right edge of your iPad.
Continue holding the button until the power-off slider appears on the screen.
Drag the slider to turn your iPad completely off.
Wait a few seconds for the iPad to power down.
Press and hold the Top (or Side) button again until you see the Apple logo. Your iPad will now restart.

Restarting iPads Without a Home Button

These iPads include iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation).

Press and hold either Volume button and the Top button simultaneously.
Continue holding both buttons until the power-off slider appears on the screen.
Drag the slider to turn your iPad completely off.
Wait a few seconds for the iPad to power down.
Press and hold the Top button again until you see the Apple logo. Your iPad will now restart.

Force Restarting Your iPad (All Models)

If your iPad is completely unresponsive, you may need to force restart it.

For iPads with a Home Button:

Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time.
Continue holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo.
Release the buttons. Your iPad will now restart.

For iPads without a Home Button:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Top button.
Continue holding the Top button until the Apple logo appears.
Release the button. Your iPad will now restart.

Tips For Restarting Your iPad

Check the battery: Ensure your iPad has sufficient battery life before attempting a restart. If the battery is too low, connect it to a power source and try again.
Close apps: Before restarting, close any open apps that may be causing the issue.
Consider a software update: If restarting doesn’t resolve the problem, check for available software updates in Settings > General > Software Update.

iPad Restart Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
iPad won’t turn off	Try a force restart. If that doesn’t work, connect it to a power source and try again.
iPad is frozen	A force restart is the best option.
Touchscreen is unresponsive	Restarting often resolves this. If not, check for physical damage to the screen.
App issues persist	After restarting, try updating or reinstalling the problematic app.
Still having problems	If restarting doesn’t fix the issue, consider contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance.

Getting Your iPad Running Smoothly Again

Restarting your iPad is a quick and effective way to resolve many common issues. By following the steps outlined above for your specific iPad model, you can easily get your device back up and running smoothly.

FAQ

Why won’t my iPad turn on even after charging it? If your iPad won’t turn on after charging, try a different charger and cable. Also, ensure the charging port is clean. If the issue persists, it may require professional repair.

How often should I restart my iPad? Restarting your iPad every few days can help maintain its performance and prevent minor glitches.

Will restarting my iPad delete any data? No, restarting your iPad will not delete any of your data. It simply closes all running processes and reloads the operating system.

What if my iPad is still slow after restarting? If your iPad is still slow, try closing unnecessary apps, clearing cached data, and ensuring you have enough storage space. You may also consider restoring your iPad to factory settings as a last resort.

How do I know which iPad model I have? You can find your iPad model in Settings > General > About > Model Name.