iPad Home Button Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

Most iPad users are concerned that the physical Home button on the iPad mini, iPad Pro, and other iPad models will not work. Is the Home button on your iPad lagging, stuck, or just unresponsive? Or does it stop responding to touch–any touch, mild or forceful–at all?

When your iPad’s Home button stops working or becomes unresponsive, it may be a very frustrating and unpleasant experience. As it is the single button that performs multiple functions, it is important to the device’s proper usability. Many people complain that the iPad’s Home button does not work either after owing it for several years, or even right out of the box. Aside from the screen, the iPad Home button on the older devices is the most used part of the device, so it must work well.

When you have problems with any gadget, the first thing you would look for is “do-it-yourself” fixes. So, in order to help users whose iPad Home button isn’t working and who are looking for DIY fixes before sending it to the Apple shop, we have listed numerous fixes to the iPad Home button not working issue below.

Why is my iPad home button not working?

Home buttons on iPads may not work correctly for a variety of reasons. Physical buttons on older iPad models can wear out over time. Moreover, an iPad Home button problem causes the sensor to stop working after a period of heavy usage and time.

One solution is to change the button, which requires you to disassemble the device. We would not recommend doing this procedure on your own, especially if you have never done it before and your device is still under warranty. We’d want to provide some alternative, simpler solutions that are highly effective. Check out these fixes for an unresponsive iPad Home button. Let’s look at how you can solve the problem on your own.

How to fix an iPad home button that isn’t working

Before we begin, it is important to note that these fixes work with any iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch that has a Home button. If your iPad or iPhone’s Home button isn’t working, you can use the steps below to fix it.

Solution 1: Take-off iPad Case

Although unlikely, it’s possible that your iPad Home button isn’t working because your iPad’s case prevents you from pressing it all the way down. Remove your iPad’s case and press the Home button again. If it still does not work, move to the next step!

[ Related: Best iPad Pro Leather Cases ]

Solution 2: Clean the Home Button

It’s possible that minor problems, like dust, caused your home button to stop working. And in this case, you must first check whether there is too much dirt for the home button to work properly. Because of the sticky hands, the button could become clogged with dirt, sweat, and moisture. You should try to clean up the dust that has gathered around the Home button. It is best to use isopropyl alcohol with a concentration of 99% while cleaning.

The first step is to turn off the iOS device and apply 2-3 drops of isopropyl alcohol to the damaged area with a cotton swab.
Next, using a cotton swab, remove all dirt from the home button.

The intention of using alcohol is to melt dirt, pollutants, or any other type of grime. The cotton will primarily serve as a remover and cleaner. We recommend that you wait at least 30 minutes before beginning to work with the iPhone, as you cannot turn it on while it is partly wet. After that, check to see whether your iPhone or iPad’s home button is working.

Solution 3: Restart iPad

If a minor software error is causing the problem of the home button not working, simply switch off and restart the iPad device. To do this, follow the steps given below:

To begin, press and hold the power button on your iPad until the “slide to power off” slider shows on the screen. If you slide this to the right, your iPad will turn off.
Press and hold the power button until the Apple logo shows on your Apple iPad device.

Solution 4: Reset All Settings on iPad

You can even try resetting all of your iPad’s settings to fix this problem. Before you begin, make a backup of all the data on your iPad so that you don’t end up permanently losing some important files and folders!

By following the steps below, you can restore your iPad to its original factory settings:

Go to the “Settings” option from the home screen and select “General” settings from the available options.
Tap the “Reset” option, then the “Reset All Settings” option.

Solution 5: Change the Home Button Click Speed

Adjusting the click speed of the Home button is not a sure solution. But it has helped in certain cases where the button was not working.

To change the speed of the Home button click, follow the steps below:

Go to the iOS device’s settings.
Scroll down and click on “Accessibility.”
Click on “Home Button.”
Choose any other option you want.
Restart your iPad now. Check to see if the Home Button works after the device has booted.

Solution 6: Put Your iPad In DFU Mode

DFU mode, also known as Device Firmware Upgrade mode, is capable of resolving a variety of bugs and software difficulties. However, you cannot access DFU mode if the Home button is not pressed. Some apps, such as Redsn0w, Recboot, ReiBoot, and others, can help you.

Connect your iPad to the most recent version of iTunes after entering DFU mode. Then, in DFU mode, restore your iPad. Check to see if your iPad’s Home button is now functioning.

Please keep in mind that doing so will erase all personal data and settings on your iPad. So make a backup of your iOS device first.

Solution 7: Update the iPad

Updating the operating system may help in the repair of the Home button. Try updating to the most recent version and seeing if the button works again.

To update your iPad, follow the steps below:

Go to the “Settings” app.
Then go to the “General” options.
Select “Software Update.”
Let your device check for updates. If any are found, at the bottom, click “Download and Install.”

If no new updates are available, or if the Home button still does not work after the update, proceed to the next step.

[ Related: How to Upgrade to (and Downgrade from) the latest iPadOS Safely ]

Solution 8: Enable AssistiveTouch

If the Home button isn’t working, enable AssistiveTouch. It’s a virtual home button that appears on the screen and includes all of the features of the Home button as well as some extras.

Follow the steps below to enable AssistiveTouch:

Go to “Settings.”
Scroll down a little and select “Accessibility.”
Then, press the “Touch” option.
Select “AssistiveTouch.”
To activate it, slide the slider next to “AssistiveTouch.”

You can use the button as a Home button when it shows on the screen. Use it as a temporary fix until you can repair the Home button or purchase a new device.

Solution 9: Press the Home Button with your Charger

A fragile cable near the charging port links the Home button to other components inside your iPhone. Some individuals have reported that applying a small amount of pressure in this location fixed their Home button, probably because doing so reconnected the cable.

To try it, simply follow these simple steps:

Connect your device to the charging cable that came with it.
Gently press on the back of the connector towards the bottom of your iPad, as if pushing it toward the Home button.
Hold that pressure while clicking the Home button a few times.

Solution 10: Enable 5-Finger Gesture

If the above methods did not resolve the issue with the iPad Home button, you can try using gesture control to mimic the action that the Home button performs:

Open “Settings.”
Turn on “Multitasking Gestures.”
To return to the Home screen, spread your hand out and place five fingers on the screen, pinching all five fingers in – grab them all together.

Solution 11: Use Tenorshare ReiBoot App

Is your iPad’s home button broken and not working? For some reason, do you need to access the Recovery Mode? Don’t be concerned. Tenorshare ReiBoot App allows you to reboot into recovery mode on your iPad without using the Home button.

Let’s have a look at how to enter recovery mode without using the Home button:

You install the Reiboot software on your computer after downloading it from the link below.

After the installation is complete, simply click the software to start.

Connect your device to your computer using a compatible cable.
To enter or exit Recovery Mode on your iPad, press the ‘Enter/Exit Recovery Mode’ option.

When you press the ‘Enter’ option, your device will enter Recovery Mode. Your device will be rebooted into Recovery Mode in 1 minute.

Solution 12: Still Need Help? Contact Apple

If nothing works, you must contact Apple customer service for help. Please check if your iPad is still under warranty. If so, you can get it serviced for free. But if it does not fall under the warranty period, you will have to pay a fee to have the repairs done. They will replace the hardware on your iPad, and then the home button on your iPad will work properly.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the iPad Home button not working issue can cause worries if you are totally dependent on your iPad, as you depend on the home button to accomplish a variety of functions. However, if the iPad Home button does not respond, you can follow the methods described above. This article contains all of the possible solutions to the home button problem. Did you find a new solution to the iPad home button not working problem? Please leave your thoughts or any other solutions in the comments section.

FAQ

Q1: Where is my iPad’s Home button?

Beginning in 2018, Apple gradually removed the Home button on iPad Pros, followed by the iPad Air and iPad mini. As of 2021, only the entry-level iPad has a physical Home button. You can still do everything you used to do with the Home button, only in a different way.

Q2: How do you take a screenshot on an iPad that doesn’t have a Home button?

Even if your iPad lacks a Home button, you can take a screenshot. Simply press the Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time until you hear the camera shutter click.

Q3: What should I do if my iPad’s Home button isn’t working?

If restarting your iPad hasn’t helped, it’s time to take it to an Apple Store or an Apple-authorized repair shop. In the meantime, use Assistive Touch to configure a workaround that will help you to use the iPad until it is repaired.

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iPad Home Button Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

Why is my iPad home button not working?