How to Fix it When iPad Home Button is not Working
This article explains what to do when your iPad Home button is not working and explains how you can get it repaired.
Author:Daniel BarrettAug 29, 202237752 Shares503355 Views
Your iPad Home button is stuck and you’re not sure what to do. No matter how many times you try to press it, nothing happens. In this article, we’ll explain what to do when your iPad Home button is not working and explain how you can get it repaired today!
Several users have reported that their iPad / iPhonehome button is not working. They notice that, without any warning signs, their Home buttons suddenly stop being responsive to touch–any touch, gentle or forceful. And it’s a real problem! For most iDevice models especially those older ones, we use the Home Button all the time!
Is My iPad Broken? Does it Need to be Repaired?
Even though your iPad Home button is not working, it’s possible that there isn’t a hardwareproblem at all! When you press a button on your iPad, it’s the software that tells your iPad to perform the task. Your iPad may just be experiencing a minor software glitch!
Recently Fixed or Replaced the Screen?
If your device’s screen was recently repaired, it’s entirely possible the problem is that the home button was not correctly aligned or paired with the logic board. If the repair was an Apple Support job, contact Apple immediately and let them know there is a problem with your Home Button not working or malfunctioning since the repair. Ask for a diagnostic.
Tips to fix home button is not working (try each step until you solve this issue)
Also read: How to Fix iPhone Touch ID Not Working Issue
Turn On AssistiveTouch
Apple has built in a temporary solution when your iPad Home button is stuck or simply won’t work — it’s called AssistiveTouch. When AssistiveTouch is on, a virtual button will appear on your iPad’s display. This button allows you to lock your iPad, turn off your iPad, and so much more.
To turn on AssistiveTouch on your iPad, go to Settings-> Accessibility-> AssistiveTouch. Then, turn on the switch next to AssistiveTouch. As soon as you do, a small button will appear on your iPad’s display.
Reset all Settings on Your iPad
Resetting all settings on your iPad does not delete any data but does return any personalized features like WiFi passcodes, wallpapers, and accessibility settings back to defaults.
Take Off iPad Case if You Use One
Although it’s unlikely, it’s possible your iPad Home button is not working because the case on your iPad is preventing you from pressing it all the way down. Try taking off your iPad’s case and pressing the Home button again. If it still won’t work, move on to the next step!
Home Button Contacts and Charging Port
Sometimes, the contacts between the Home button and the rest of the logic board can get loose. Check for the following
- Is there any dirt or debris stuck on the charging port of your iPhone
- Once you have cleaned the port, try connecting your iPhone to a charging cable and make sure to press it in while keeping the home button pressed
- If your Home button starts working, then keep the device on the charger for some time and let it charge
- If the steps above didn’t do much for your iPad home button, it’s probably time to take it in for a professional repair.
Can You Still Press The Home Button, Or Is It Totally Stuck?
There are essentially two different types of Home button problems:
- You can’t press it down because it’s completely stuck.
- You can press it down, but nothing happens.
If scenario one describes your iPad, then your only option may be to repair it. Dirt, gunk, and other debris can occasionally get stuck in your iPad’s Home button. Try wiping it down with a microfiber cloth to see if you can clean anything out.
You probably won’t have much success with this because there isn’t really an easy way to clean it out without opening up your iPad. If you want to get your iPad Home button fixed, scroll down to the “Repair Your iPad” section of this article.
If your iPad Home button isn’t stuck, there’s a chance the software is causing the problem. Work through the troubleshooting steps below to try and fix the problem!
Restart Your iPad
The first software troubleshooting step when your iPad home button won’t work is to simply turn it off and back on. This can fix a minor software glitch that could be causing the problem.
Press and hold the power button, then swipe the red power icon when “slide to power off” appears. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.
Backup Your iPad
Before we move on to the restore step, we recommend backing up your iPad. That way, when you actually perform the restore, you’ll be able to quickly restore from the backup and not lose any of your data or information.
To backup your iPad, plug it into your computer and open iTunes. You can also go to Settings -> Your Name -> iCloud -> iCloud Backup -> Back Up Now.
Put Your iPad in DFU Mode
Now that your iPad has been backed up, it’s time to put in DFU mode and restore. There’s only one problem — the Home button is broken! Without a working Home button, you can’t restore your iPad the conventional way.
Instead, you’ll have to use special software to perform the restore. We recommend Tenorshare 4uKey, which we’ve personally tested and reviewed.
Repair Your iPad
If you’ve made it through all the troubleshooting steps and your iPad Home button still isn’t working, it’s time to explore your repair options. If your iPad is still covered by Apple’s 1-year warranty or you opted for Apple Care to extend the warranty and are still in that policy’s window, take it to an Apple Store for evaluation.
To check your current warranty status, open this check coverage page. You need to enter your device’s serial number located in Settings > General > About.
However, if your iPad Home button stopped working after it got wet, the Apple Store won’t be able to help you out. AppleCare+ doesn’t cover liquid damage, so the best they’ll be able to do is completely replace your iPad, which won’t be cheap.
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Jump to
Is My iPad Broken? Does it Need to be Repaired?
Recently Fixed or Replaced the Screen?
Turn On AssistiveTouch
Reset all Settings on Your iPad
Take Off iPad Case if You Use One
Home Button Contacts and Charging Port
Can You Still Press The Home Button, Or Is It Totally Stuck?
Restart Your iPad
Backup Your iPad
Put Your iPad in DFU Mode
Repair Your iPad
Daniel Barrett
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