The Apple Pencil is undoubtedly one of the most impressive products from Apple that I own. However, there are times when it acts up and stops working.
In case your Apple Pencil is not working then this guide can help with some useful troubleshooting tips. Be sure to stick with me until the end to learn about the common issues with the Apple pencil and how you can easily resolve them for all 4 versions of the Apple pencil.
Table of Contents
Why My Apple Pencil Is Not Working?
There could be various reasons why your Apple pencil is not working, usually in most cases this happens when your Apple pencil is discharged and hasn’t been used for a long time.
This causes internal battery failure which makes your Apple pencil useless and you may need to get it replaced with a new one.
Follow These Apple Pencil Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips that you can follow to fix some common problems if your Apple pencil is not working.
1. Check Apple Pencil Compatibility With Your iPad.
It is important to check Apple Pencil compatibility with your iPad as there are two generations of Apple pencil and each generation of Apple Pencil supports different generations of iPads, chances are you will not be able to use the second generation of Apple Pencil in the older models of iPad.
To check which model of iPad you have navigate to Settings > General > About >Model Name.
| Apple Pencil Generation | Compatible iPads |
|---|---|
| 1st Generation | iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad (6th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 9.7-inch |
| 2nd Generation | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch |
2. Reset/Reconnect Apple Pencil With iPad.
One of the easiest ways to troubleshoot your Apple Pencil is to remove it from your iPad and reconnect it again as this may fix any connectivity issues that your Apple Pencil might be facing.
This issue is pretty common if you have more than one iPad as sometimes the Apple pencil may be connected or paired with another iPad which might be causing the issue.
To properly connect your Apple Pencil with your iPad follow the steps below.
- Launch the Settings app on your device.
- Navigate to Bluetooth.
- Under “My Devices“, find your Apple Pencil.
- Tap the small blue “i” icon next to the Apple Pencil name.
- Select “Forget This Device” to confirm unpairing.
By following the above-mentioned steps you can easily unpair your Apple Pencil with your iPad. Now we need to connect the Apple Pencil with the iPad again but before doing that, it’s a good idea to restart your iPad.
Once that’s done, follow the steps below to pair an Apple pencil with your iPad.
How To Connect Apple Pencil To iPad (1st Generation)
- Remove the cap from your Apple Pencil.
- For iPads with a Home button: Plug the Apple Pencil directly into the Lightning connector on your iPad’s bottom edge.
- For iPads without a Home button: Use the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter (sold separately) to connect your Apple Pencil to the USB-C port on your iPad.
How To Connect Apple Pencil To iPad (2nd Generation)
Attach your Apple Pencil magnetically to the right side of your iPad, below the volume buttons.
How To Connect Apple Pencil To iPad (2nd Generation Apple Pencil With USB-C)
- Ensure your iPad is running iPadOS 17.1 or later.
- Remove the cap and connect a USB-C cable to the port on your Apple Pencil.
- Plug the other end of the USB-C cable into your iPad.
3. Replace The Tip Of Your Apple Pencil
If you think that everything is fine and perfect but still your Apple pencil is not working then chances are that the Apple Pencil tip may have become loose or have stopped working. It is recommended that you tighten the pencil tip or you can even replace it with a new one so that your issue can be fixed.
Just in case you have followed all the troubleshooting tips and still the Apple pencil is not working there are high chance that your Apple pencil has damaged or become faulty it is recommended that you contact Apple support for more assistance if your Apple pencil is under warranty.
Is Your Apple Pencil Not Working but Connected?
There could be various reasons why your Apple Pencil is not working even when connected to your iPad.
Usually, if you have recently updated your iPad to IOS 17.4 or above chances are you are not alone as many users have already reported the same issue in the Apple Community Forum.
Before we move further it is important to mention that the below-mentioned steps will only be helpful if your Apple Pencil is not damaged physically and facing any technical glitches or bugs.
If you find yourself in a situation where your Apple Pen is not connecting to your iPad then you can follow the steps mentioned below.
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Fix Apple Pencil Not Working But Connected
To fix the Apple Pencil not working but connected issue follow the steps below.
- Check If your Apple Pencil is fully charged and connected to your iPad.
- Remove and reconnect your Apple Pencil to your iPad again.
- Change your Apple pencil tips if it still not working.
- Try to use the Apple pencil on different iPad to confirm that your Apple pencil is not damaged.
If nothing works contact your nearby Apple Authorised Service Center to get it replaced if under warranty.
NOTE: Keep in mind that you can only fix a functional Apple Pencil, not one that is damaged.
Final Words
Apple Pencil is a great way to explore the productive side of technology, this not only brings flexibility but also is more convenient. All the above-mentioned tips will help you fix any issues you are facing with your Apple pencil to have an error-free experience.
If you have any questions or suggestions make sure to mention them in the comments.
Now, go forth and create, draw, and explore the possibilities!
Why is my Apple Pencil not working even though it’s charged?
There could be two most common reasons why your Apple pencil is not working even though it is charged, either it is not connected to your iPad or it is damaged by falling or a sudden shock that might have caused a fault in its internal components.
How to charge Apple Pencil?
Take off the cap and connect your Apple Pencil to the Lightning port on your iPad. You can also charge it with a USB Power Adapter using the Apple Pencil Charging Adapter included with your Apple Pencil.
Can I repair the Apple Pencil?
No, you cannot repair an Apple Pencil if it’s damaged the only option is to replace it with a new one.
Hey there! I’m Ash Vashisht, a tech enthusiast and ex-marketing manager. I love diving into the world of technology and exploring cool innovations. Join me in unraveling the latest tech trends and insights.
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