Check the Battery Level
One of the common issues that can cause the Apple Pencil to stop working is a low battery level. Before moving on to other troubleshooting steps, it’s important to check the battery level of your Apple Pencil. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Remove the cap from your Apple Pencil and connect it to the lightning port of your iPad.
2. Go to the Settings app on your iPad and tap on “Bluetooth.”
3. Look for your Apple Pencil in the list of devices under “My Devices.” You’ll see its battery percentage next to its name.
If the battery percentage is critically low (below 5%), you’ll need to charge your Apple Pencil. Connect it to your iPad for at least 15 minutes to allow it to charge. You can check the progress by going to the Widgets view on your iPad and looking for the battery widget. If the battery widget doesn’t appear, you can enable it by swiping right on the home screen, scrolling to the bottom, tapping “Edit,” and adding the battery widget.
If your Apple Pencil is already charged or you’ve been charging it for a while and it still isn’t working, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.
Reconnect the Apple Pencil
If you’re experiencing issues with your Apple Pencil not working, it’s worth trying to reconnect it to your iPad. Here’s what you can do:
1. Remove the cap from your Apple Pencil.
2. Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPad. You can check this by going to the Settings app and tapping on “Bluetooth.”
3. On your iPad, tap on the “i” icon next to your Apple Pencil in the list of devices under “My Devices.”
4. Tap on “Forget This Device” and confirm your selection.
5. Now, reconnect your Apple Pencil by plugging it into the lightning port on your iPad. Wait for a few seconds and then unplug it.
6. A prompt should appear on your iPad asking you to pair the Apple Pencil. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
7. Once the pairing is complete, test your Apple Pencil to see if it’s working properly. If not, move on to the next troubleshooting steps.
Reconnecting the Apple Pencil can help resolve connectivity issues that may be causing it to not work properly. However, if the problem persists, proceed to the next section to explore further solutions.
Update iOS and Apple Pencil’s Firmware
If your Apple Pencil is not working as expected, it’s essential to ensure that both your iPad’s operating system (iOS) and the Apple Pencil’s firmware are up to date. Here’s how you can update them:
1. Update iOS:
- Connect your iPad to a stable Wi-Fi network.
- Go to the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap on “General,” then select “Software Update.”
- If an update is available, tap “Download and Install.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
2. Update Apple Pencil’s Firmware:
- Ensure that your Apple Pencil is connected to your iPad.
- Go to the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap on “Bluetooth.”
- Look for your Apple Pencil in the list of devices under “My Devices.”
- If there is an option to update the firmware, follow the prompts to initiate the update.
- Keep your Apple Pencil connected until the firmware update is complete.
Updating both iOS and the Apple Pencil’s firmware can often resolve issues related to compatibility and performance. After completing the updates, check if your Apple Pencil is functioning correctly. If not, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps.
Adjust Bluetooth Settings
If your Apple Pencil is still not working properly, it’s worth checking and adjusting your iPad’s Bluetooth settings. Here’s what you can do:
1. Go to the Settings app on your iPad and tap on “Bluetooth.”
2. Toggle off Bluetooth by tapping the switch. Wait for a few seconds, then toggle it back on.
3. If your Apple Pencil is already connected to your iPad, tap on the “i” icon next to its name in the list of devices under “My Devices.”
4. Tap on “Forget This Device” and confirm your selection. This will remove the Apple Pencil from your iPad’s known devices list.
5. Now, restart your iPad by holding down the power button until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears. Slide it to power off your device, then turn it back on after a few seconds.
6. Once your iPad has restarted, go back to the Bluetooth settings and try pairing your Apple Pencil again by plugging it into the lightning port on your iPad.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
By adjusting the Bluetooth settings, you can refresh the connection between your iPad and the Apple Pencil, potentially resolving any connectivity issues that might be causing it to not work properly. If the problem persists, continue to the next troubleshooting steps.
Reset Network Settings
If you’re still experiencing trouble with your Apple Pencil, resetting your iPad’s network settings can help resolve any underlying connectivity issues. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Scroll down again and tap on “Reset.”
4. Choose “Reset Network Settings.”
5. You may be prompted to enter your passcode to confirm the reset.
6. Tap on “Reset Network Settings” again to confirm.
7. Your iPad will now reset its network settings, including Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and VPN configurations. It will not delete any personal data or apps.
8. After the reset is complete, reconnect your iPad to your Wi-Fi network and pair your Apple Pencil again.
By resetting the network settings, you are essentially starting fresh with the device’s network configuration. This can help resolve any network-related issues that might be affecting the functionality of your Apple Pencil. If the problem persists, try the next troubleshooting step.
Try Charging the Apple Pencil
If your Apple Pencil isn’t working, it’s possible that the battery has drained completely. In such cases, charging the Apple Pencil can often resolve the issue. Here’s what you can do:
1. Remove the cap from your Apple Pencil.
2. Connect the Lightning connector at the end of the Apple Pencil to the Lightning port on your iPad.
3. Leave the Apple Pencil connected for at least 15 minutes.
4. You can check the charging progress by going to the Widgets view on your iPad and looking for the battery widget. If the battery widget isn’t visible, you can add it by swiping right on the home screen, scrolling to the bottom, tapping “Edit,” and selecting the battery widget.
5. Once the Apple Pencil has charged for a sufficient amount of time, disconnect it from the Lightning port.
6. Try using the Apple Pencil again to see if it functions properly.
If the Apple Pencil continues to not work, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to explore further solutions.
Check for Physical Damage
If your Apple Pencil still isn’t working, it’s important to inspect it for any signs of physical damage. Even minor damage can affect its functionality. Here are the steps to check for physical damage:
1. Examine the exterior of the Apple Pencil for any visible cracks, dents, or scratches.
2. Check the Lightning connector at the end of the Apple Pencil for any damage or debris that may be obstructing the connection.
3. Inspect the tip of the Apple Pencil for any signs of damage or wear. A damaged or worn tip may need to be replaced.
If you notice any physical damage to your Apple Pencil, it’s recommended to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider for further assistance. They can help assess the extent of the damage and advise on potential solutions.
If there is no visible physical damage, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to further troubleshoot the issue with your Apple Pencil.
Clean the Apple Pencil Tip
If you are experiencing issues with your Apple Pencil, such as unresponsiveness or inaccurate touch recognition, it’s possible that the tip of the pencil is dirty or obstructed. Cleaning the tip can often resolve these problems. Here’s how you can clean the Apple Pencil tip:
1. Remove the cap from the Apple Pencil, exposing the tip.
2. Use a lint-free cloth or a soft, slightly dampened cloth to gently wipe the tip of the Apple Pencil. Ensure that the cloth is only slightly damp, as excessive moisture can damage the pencil.
3. Make gentle circular motions while cleaning the tip to remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the surface.
4. After cleaning, allow the tip to air dry completely before using the Apple Pencil again.
5. Before using the Apple Pencil again, you can also try tapping the tip on a clean piece of paper to dislodge any remaining debris.
By cleaning the Apple Pencil tip, you may restore its optimal functionality and improve the touch recognition on your iPad. If the issue persists after cleaning, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps.
Calibrate the Apple Pencil
If you’re experiencing issues with the accuracy of your Apple Pencil or notice a significant lag between your strokes and their appearance on your iPad, calibrating the Apple Pencil can often resolve these problems. Here’s how you can calibrate your Apple Pencil:
1. Ensure that your Apple Pencil is paired and connected to your iPad.
2. Open a drawing or writing app that supports the Apple Pencil.
3. Create a new document or open an existing one where you can freely draw or write.
4. Holding the Apple Pencil in a comfortable grip, touch the tip of the pencil to the screen and apply moderate pressure.
5. Create a series of lines or shapes on the screen in different directions and angles. Make sure to use smooth, deliberate strokes.
6. Once you’ve drawn or written for a few seconds, the app may prompt you to calibrate the Apple Pencil. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the calibration process.
7. If the app doesn’t prompt you, exit the drawing or writing mode, close the app, and restart your iPad.
8. After restarting your iPad, reopen the drawing or writing app and test the Apple Pencil’s accuracy and responsiveness.
By calibrating the Apple Pencil, you can ensure that it accurately captures your movements on the screen, resulting in a more precise and fluid writing or drawing experience. If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps.
Restore iPad to Factory Settings
If none of the previous troubleshooting steps have resolved the issue with your Apple Pencil, restoring your iPad to its factory settings may help. However, please note that performing a factory reset will erase all data and settings on your iPad. Make sure to back up your important files before proceeding. Here’s how you can restore your iPad to factory settings:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap on “General” and scroll down to find “Reset.”
3. Tap on “Reset” and then select “Erase All Content and Settings.”
4. You may be prompted to enter your passcode and confirm your decision.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the factory reset process.
6. Your iPad will restart and begin the restoration process. This may take a few minutes.
7. Once your iPad has been restored to its factory settings, set it up as a new device.
8. Reconnect your Apple Pencil and pair it with your iPad as you did when you first got it.
9. Test your Apple Pencil to see if the issues have been resolved.
Restoring your iPad to its factory settings can help eliminate any software-related issues that may be interfering with the functionality of your Apple Pencil. However, it is a last-resort option, and it’s important to keep in mind that you will lose all data on your iPad in the process.
