Finding your iPad’s screen gone entirely black isn’t a pleasant situation to be in. Luckily, you still have the option to dilute things up. Yes, it is a bit complicated to digest, but the following write-up will ensure you get the issue resolved and locate yourself on the happier end
Coming from the home of Apple, the iPad is well known for offering seamless services. However, just like other elements in the tech sphere, the iPad isn’t far from issues. As reported by many, the iPad can occasionally get stuck to something popular as the Black Screen of Death.
Because the situation forces you into a condition where you are unable to utilize the device, encountering frustration and troubles starts becoming a usual experience. This leaves many users wondering what causes the iPad’s black screen error or the screen of death. At the same time, seeking for the fixes is a common practice.
Read all the way through, and you’ll learn everything from probable reasons to possible fixes.
Factors that cause the iPad black screen of death
The reasons for this can range from physical damage that usually results from dropping the smartphone to insane software havoc like a failed jailbreak attempt, a broken hardware component, or a software issue.
You should not give up if the screen of your device goes black and entirely unresponsive. There are a few efficient techniques to fix it and get your device back up and running. Even if you’ve got your iPad running the latest iPadOS 15, you can still fix the issue using the methods on this page. This issue might arise due to a wide variety of factors. The following are some possible factors that hold the responsibility for the iPad black screen:
- It’s possible that there ins’t anything major, rather the issue to blame is a minor one. For instance, suppose you’ve got the brightness level of your device’s screen to something way too low, resulting in a black screen on your iPad.
- Your iPad’s battery may be dead, and the device may have shut off.
- The iPad black screen of death is sometimes triggered by an application or program crash, especially when the similar situation is encountered either during or right after upgrading the device to iPadOS 15.
- In the case of hardware issues, such as the 2019 iPad Air, Apple will assist users in fixing them for free.
- A faulty screen or any other damaged component can also cause this problem.
Now, let’s have a look at several potential iPad black screen/iPad blank screen of death fixes.
11 ways to resolve the iPad black screen issue
If your iPad looks to be stuck on a black screen and isn’t responding to touch, try one of the many solutions available to get it back up and running.
Solution 1: Charge your iPad for a while
If your iPad has a black screen, it is possible that the battery has run out of power. The iPad does not have enough power to display the charging symbol if the battery is too low to support a low-battery notification. Allow the iPad to charge for at least 20 minutes, preferably overnight.
The battery in the iPad is larger than that in the iPhone. It is very crucial to inhabit the practice of charging the iPad with a 10-watt or 12-watt charger, or it will take a long time to charge completely. If the battery no longer holds a charge as well as it once did, consider changing the iPad’s battery.
Note: The iPad will not charge if it is too hot or too cold. If the iPad has been in freezing or heated temperatures for a long time, bring it to room temperature before plugging it back into the charger.
Solution 2: Get the brightness of your device turned up

When you place your iPad near a bright light source, the screen will seem black. A low brightness level also obscures the screen. If Siri is enabled, ask it to increase the screen brightness. Alternately, go to a dark room and increase the screen brightness:
- To increase the brightness, swipe up on the bottom menu and drag the brightness slider.
- To reach the screen brightness settings on iPadOS 13, go down to the upper-right menu and change the brightness.
Solution 3: Check if everything is fine with the charging port
The iPad back screen can occur when the charging point is unclean, and the device does not receive a full charge. There could be dust or dirt inside the port. Dirt and dust are trapped in the charging port every time you plug it into the device.
- Dislodge the dust with a non-metal object, such as a wooden toothpick
- Then charge the device again.
Solution 4: Get your iPad charged with a certified USB cable
Another thing to look for if your device has a dark screen is the USB cord and charger you’re using. There are indeed several non-certified cables available which do not even operate properly, rather offer harm. They may even include a plug-in virus, resulting in your device not charging.
Solution 5: “Burp” your iPad
Burping the iPad, according to some forum members, realigns internal wires that aren’t correctly connecting.
To burp an iPad:
- Shut down the iPad.
- Use a towel to cover the front and back of the iPad.
- For at least a minute, pat the back of the iPad as if you were burping a baby.
- Remove the iPad.
- Switch on your iPad.
If this technique resolves the issue, the iPad suffers a hardware problem that will most likely reoccur. Consider bringing your iPad to the Apple Store for service.
Solution 6: Check if force restarting the device helps
A blank screen on an iPad usually indicates that the concerned device has actually got struck on the particular screen due to a software failure. This most of the time gets easily resolved by employing the force restart action. What it does is closes all active apps, including the problematic ones. The hard reset is extremely simple, although the procedure varies according to the device you’re operating on.
Follow these simple instructions to restart your iPad.
iPads with a Home Button:
- Hold your iPad’s Home and Power buttons together until you see the strong>Apple logo appearing on the screen.
iPads that don’t Feature Home buttons:
- Simply hold the Volume Up and also the Volume Down buttons together.
- After that, you’ll need to press the dedicated Power button on your device’s top. Keep your finger on the button until your screen loads up the Apple logo.
Related: iPad Home Button Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It
Solution 7: Update iPadOS
If you’ve tried all of the above solutions and your iPad screen is still dark, you should try a system update. You will need a computer with the most recent version of iTunes installed.

To update your iPadOS:
- Connect the iPad charger to the iPad before connecting it to the PC.
- Launch the iTunes utility on your PC. Long press and hold down the Home and the Sleep/Wake buttons on your iPad.
- Keep both buttons pushed even if after the Apple logo makes an appearance on the screen to enter Recovery Mode on your iPad.
- When the choice to Restore or Update appears on the screen, select Update.
- When you select Update, iTunes will update iOS without deleting your data.
- After a few minutes, the device will restart, and you will be ready to go!
Related: How to Upgrade to (and Downgrade from) the iPadOS.
Solution 8: Restore iPadOS
What should you do if your iPad screen goes black after installing an iPadOS update? Don’t be concerned. It isn’t the end of the world, though. Whether it’s a failed update or an outdated software version that’s causing the iPad’s black screen, you can fix it by getting inside the recovery mode and then restoring it.
A system restore is your last option because it erases all the existing data sitting on the iPad. If you’ve backed up your data to the cloud, then you’re at the safe end as all your data could get easily reinstalled if the restore was successful.
Do you need help with iPad backups? Well then, make sure to pay a visit here after you’re done getting your device’s screen back to the normal terms.
To restore your iPadOS:
- Connect your iPad to your PC via USB cable and launch iTunes or Finder.
- You must now put the iPad into Recovery Mode. Depending on your iPad model, proceed with the procedures below.
- On an iPad that features a Home button, hold both the Home and Power buttons simultaneously. When you see the recovery mode screen popping up, let go of both.
- On an iPad with Face ID, press and immediately release the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons. Keep your finger holding the Power button until you see the recovery-mode screen.
- When the option to Restore or Update appears, select Restore.
Solution 9: Try DFU restoration to resolve iPad black screen of death
Few people are aware of the iPad or iPhone’s DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode. It is the most extensive type of restore. It allows you to restore the device from any state and thereby resolve numerous deeply concealed software issues.
If possible, make a backup of your files before restoring from DFU mode, as restoring from DFU mode erases all of the device’s content.
The procedure for placing the concerned iPad into the DFU mode varies from one to the other.

Follow these steps to put your iPad with a Home button into DFU mode:
- Connect your device to your computer via a lightning cable.
- Open iTunes or look for the Finder utility, the one which is installed on your computer.
- Then, simultaneously press the Power together with the Home buttons. Continue holding the press until the screen blacks out.
- Wait for a few seconds, and take your fingers off the Power button. Make sure you do that while still holding down the Home button.
- Continue pressing the Home button till you notice your device gets recognized by iTunes/Finder.
Follow these steps to put your iPad (with Face ID) into DFU mode:
- Start by verifying that your gadget is actually connected to your PC.
- Simultaneously tap the Volume Up button and Volume Down utton. Keep it pressing together with the Side button until the screen goes black.
- As soon as it happens, locate, hold down the Volume Down button. Do that without releasing the Power button. Hold it for around 6 seconds (you must apply pressure to both of them)
- After that, go ahead and release the hold. However, you’ll need to continue pressing the Volume Down button. Do it for around 5 seconds.
- Your device will then get automatically recognized by the iTunes/Finder application that is currently operating on your computer.
You will now notice a window on your computer requesting that you restore the device before using it. To complete the operation, click OK>Restore iPad.
Solution 10: Use Tenorshare Reiboot app to fix iPad system
If you are concerned about data loss, there is an alternative method. You may always use Tenorshare ReiBoot – the iOS System Recovery utility to fix “iPad screen goes black.”

Follow these steps to use ReiBoot
- On your computer, download and install “Tenorshare ReiBoot – iOS System Recovery.” Connect your device to the computer via a USB cord as soon as you’ve installed the software. Press the “Start” button.
- Now choose and click on the “Standard Repair” option to access the firmware download screen.
- The program will display the most recent firmware package for the current iOS version that your device is running. If you do not already have it on your PC, click “Download” to begin the installation process.
- When the download is finished, click the “Start Standard Repair” option to begin device recovery. When the procedure is finished, your device will restart normally.
Related: Top iPad Data Recovery Software for Mac and Windows (Free and Paid)
Solution 11: Contact the nearest Apple support
Didn’t any of the solutions above work? A hardware problem could be causing you to be stuck on the disturbing black screen error. Water damage to your logic board could possibly be bringing all the trouble. Depending on the terms of your device’s warranty, the Apple Store on your locality should be able to resolve the problem once and for all and that too free of cost.
Conclusion
An iPad blank screen can be terrifying to confront. However, the problem isn’t as serious as many consider it to be. There are indeed multiple ways to resolve the issue. Go ahead and try all the solutions listed above. But in case you want to have a simplified approach, opt for the “Tenorshare ReiBoot – iOS System Recovery.” It is the simplest known solution to the black screen problem with no data loss.
FAQs
Q1. Why is my iPad screen black?
A software crash frequently causes your iPad screen to go black. Your iPad is frequently still turned on and functioning in the background! If your iPad has a software crash, a hard reset can temporarily resolve the issue.
Q2. How to reset my iPad while having my data safe?
Factory resetting your iPad is indeed a great way will help you solve a variety of problems, including the one we’re discussing here. But, a factory reset will result in data loss. In this case, the “Tenorshare ReiBoot – iOS System Recovery” app provides the best roof to take shelter underneath. It can reset your iPad without data loss.
Q3. How do you reset an unresponsive iPad?
If your iPad is stuck and unresponsive, or if it is too slow to use, try restarting it. Hold down the Home and Power buttons simultaneously on iPads with a Home Button until you see the Apple logo appear.
For iPads lacking Home buttons, simply hold the Volume Up alongside the Volume Down buttons. Then, at the top of your device, tap the Power button. Hold it down and maintain the position until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
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