iPad: Troubleshooting mechanical issues
Troubleshooting button or switch issues
Troubleshooting Home button or Touch ID issues
Troubleshooting SIM card issues
Troubleshooting button or switch issues
Identify issues
Read this article if you notice any of the following issues:
The top button doesn't respond (for Touch ID issues, see Troubleshooting Home button or Touch ID issues)
The Home button doesn't respond (see Troubleshooting Home button or Touch ID issues)
The Volume up or down button doesn't respond
The side switch doesn't respond (older iPads)
Use the Home, side, and other buttons on your iPad
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Closely inspect the area around all buttons and switches. If the button or switch is either stuck or can not be pressed or toggled, check for the following:
Substance causing button or switch to be stuck in one position.
Debris blocking button or switch so you cannot press or toggle button or switch.
Physically broken button or switch.
Restart the iPad. If the iPad doesn’t restart, try to force restart the iPad.
Refer to Rotate the screen on your iPad to learn more about the function of the side switch on older iPads.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Verify button operation manually by operating all buttons and switches and verifying that the iPad recognizes these button or switch actions.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, service the iPad. You can find service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Note: This section requires parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting Home button or Touch ID issues
Identify issues
Note: This procedure is for iPad models with Home buttons or Touch ID. Check tech specs to verify iPad features. For other button or switch issues, go to Troubleshooting button or switch issues.
Read this article if you notice any of these issues:
The Home button doesn't respond
The top button doesn’t respond to Touch ID
Unable to read a fingerprint
Unable to enroll a finger in Touch ID settings
Unable to make a purchase using Touch ID
Use the Home, side, and other buttons on your iPad
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Not everyone may be able to use the fingerprint scanner feature. Some people lack the impedance needed to activate biometric sensors, which is normal and not a service issue. If possible, try to activate a functioning iPad with Touch ID to verify whether you're among this small group of users.
Clean the iPad. Clean dirt or debris from the Touch ID sensor with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Ensure that your fingers are clean and dry.
Note: Moisture, lotions, sweat, oils, cuts, or particularly dry skin may affect fingerprint recognition. Certain activities can also temporarily affect fingerprint recognition, including exercising, showering, swimming, cooking, other conditions, or changes that affect your fingerprint.
Check for obstructions such as a screen protector around the Touch ID sensor and ring.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Note: Service is not recommended for issues with a specific finger or fingers. If you have an issue with specific fingers, be aware that in some cases Touch ID may be unable to match those fingers consistently. The cause is usually the readability of the specific fingerprint. You can try to enroll the finger later or use a different finger for Touch ID. If you’re unable to enroll any fingers on the iPad, then the Touch ID sensor may have an issue and the iPad should be serviced.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
For iPad models with a Home button, do the following:
With the display off, press the Home button and verify that the display turns on.
Rest your finger on the Home button. When the fingerprint is recognized, the iPad should unlock.
For iPad models with Touch ID in the top button, do the following:
With the display off, press the top button and verify that the display turns on.
Rest your finger on the top button. When the fingerprint is recognized, the iPad should unlock.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, service the iPad. You can find service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Note: This section requires parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting SIM card issues
Identify issues
Note: This procedure is for iPad models with SIM trays. Some iPad models do not have a physical SIM card and SIM tray. These models have an eSIM. Check tech specs to verify iPad features.
Read these articles if you notice any of these issues:
“Invalid SIM card installed” appears
“No SIM card installed” appears
“Different SIM detected” appears
Learn which size SIM card your iPhone or iPad uses
Remove or switch the SIM card in your iPad
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Ensure that the iPad has an active plan with a wireless carrier.
Ensure that the SIM card is authorized for use with the iPad. A non-Apple authorized carrier SIM card may cause SIM alert messages. Inserting a SIM card that isn’t the SIM used for the current iPad activation may cause SIM alert messages.
Ensure that the correct SIM tray is installed in the iPad.
Note: SIM trays vary slightly in size and shape.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Use a SIM removal tool to eject the SIM tray. Ensure that the tray ejects. If ejecting the tray is difficult, replace the SIM tray.
Inspect the SIM tray for damage. If it's damaged, replace the SIM tray.
Ensure that the SIM tray is correct for the iPad model. If it’s incorrect, replace the SIM tray.
Remove the SIM card by using a SIM removal tool to eject the SIM tray. Ensure that the SIM card is flush with the tray during reinstallation. If inserting the SIM tray is difficult, replace it.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, Replace the SIM tray. You can find service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Note: This section requires parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.