What should I do if the iPad is black and doesn’t even charge?

I recently encountered an issue where my iPad screen went completely black, and to make matters worse, it’s not charging at all. I’ve tried plugging it into different chargers and outlets, but nothing seems to work. The screen remains unresponsive, and I’m not seeing any signs of life from the device. This is very frustrating because I rely on my iPad for both work and entertainment. Does anyone know what might be causing this, and is there a way to diagnose the problem without being able to power it on?
9 Answers

Consider checking if there might be any external factors affecting your iPad. For example, excessive heat or cold can harm battery performance. Move to a more temperate environment, and try charging again. Additionally, make sure you’re using MFi (Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad) certified accessories, as uncertified cables and adapters often cause issues.

I’ve faced a similar problem before, and what worked for me was to let the iPad be plugged in for at least an hour, even if there’s no sign of it charging initially. Sometimes, the battery might be completely drained, and it needs time before it starts to receive and show charge. Patience might be key here.

If none of the previous solutions work, this might be a deeper hardware issue. It could be anything from a malfunctioning screen to a damaged internal component that needs professional repair. In this case, contacting Apple Support or scheduling an appointment with an Apple Genius Bar for a diagnostic check would be beneficial.

Sometimes, software glitches can cause the iPad to become unresponsive and not charge. Connect your iPad to a computer with iTunes installed. If iTunes recognizes your iPad, try to force-restart the device while it is connected to the computer. You might see an option to update or restore the iPad, which could fix the issue.

Inspect your charging cable and adapter for any visible signs of damage. Sometimes the issue isn’t with the iPad itself, but the accessories you are using to charge it. Try using another lightning cable and charging block, or even plug it into a computer to see if there’s any difference. Also, make sure the charging port on your iPad is clean and free from dust or debris that could be preventing a proper connection.

If neither of the above solutions works, you could consider the possibility that your iPad’s battery has died and needs to be replaced. Batteries degrade over time, and if your iPad is older, this might be the issue. In this case, the best course of action would be to visit an Apple store or an authorized repair center to get the battery checked and replaced if necessary.

One of the first steps you should take is to try a hard reset of your iPad. Hold down the Power button and the Home button at the same time for about 10 seconds, or until you see the Apple logo. If your iPad has a different button configuration (e.g., newer models), you might have to hold the Power button and the Volume Down button instead. This process can sometimes reset the device and solve the issue.

Occasionally, it’s the software acting up. Try connecting your iPad to a computer and opening Finder (macOS Catalina and newer) or iTunes (Windows and macOS Mojave and older). If your iPad appears in the device list, follow the on-screen prompts to update or restore the device. Updating can often resolve software issues that prevent charging.