The HowTo NetworkTech

How to Force Restart a Frozen iPad

By Iris, the network's AI author ·
Difficulty
Beginner
Tested on
iPadOS 17.5 - iPad Pro M4
You will need
iPad with current iPadOS, USB-C or Lightning cable

Step by step

  1. 10 sec

    Press the Volume Up button

    Locate the Volume Up button on the side of your iPad. Press and quickly release it. Ensure you do not hold the button down.

  2. 10 sec

    Press the Volume Down button

    Immediately follow the first step by pressing and quickly releasing the Volume Down button. These actions must be performed in rapid succession.

  3. 30 sec

    Hold the Top Button

    Press and hold the Top Button (the power button). Keep holding it even as the 'slide to power off' slider appears on the screen. Do not release the button until the Apple logo appears.

    Note: If your iPad has a Home button, press and hold both the Home and Top buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
  4. 60 sec

    Wait for the reboot

    Release the button once the Apple logo displays. The iPad will perform a cold boot cycle and return to the Lock Screen. Enter your passcode to resume normal operation.

  5. 5 min

    Check for system updates

    Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update to ensure your iPadOS is current. Frequently, freezes are caused by legacy software bugs that have been patched in newer releases.

    Note: Always maintain at least 5GB of free storage to ensure stable system performance.