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Why Is Your Apple Pencil Not Connecting To iPad (Simple Fix)

By Author Turner Tomlinson

Posted on Last updated:

Even the most advanced Apple products—Apple Pencil included—will have problems occasionally. And an unresponsive Apple Pencil is not only irritating but also limits you from a lot of exciting features. But why isn’t it working?

If your Apple Pencil isn’t responding to your iPad, it could be that its nib is loose, the battery level is low, or a rogue app is hindering the connection. The problem may also be with your iPad’s Bluetooth and network settings.

Either way, a few troubleshooting methods should easily solve the issue. This article details a step-by-step guide on how to fix the “apple pencil not connecting to iPad” problem. By the end, you should be back to enjoying the services of your Pencil.

Apple Pencil Won’t Connect to iPad: Possible Reasons

Mockup of a woman using digital tablet Apple iPad with pencil stylus pen

Here are a few possible causes of an unresponsive Apple Pencil.

  • The Pencil’s nib may become loose from unscrewing or wearing out. A loose nib may render your Pencil unresponsive. Twist the tip clockwise to firmly attach it and make it responsive.
  • A low battery level on your Apple Pencil may be the problem. The Bluetooth connection between your iPad and Apple Pencil needs power for it to work. So, plug in your Pencil frequently to ensure its power is sufficient.
  • A rogue or unresponsive app may result in poor connections. You’ll need to close the app for reconnection.
  • Outdated firmware versions may also be the cause of the problem.

What iPads Work with Apple Pencil?

There are two generations of Apple Pencils, each compatible with different iPad models. So before troubleshooting the problem, double-check that the Pencil you’re using is suitable for your iPad.

1st Generation Apple Pencil (on Amazon) is compatible with:

  • 1st and 2nd Generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch
  • 3rd Generation iPad Air
  • 5th Generation iPad Mini
  • 6th, 7th, and 8th Generation iPad
  • iPad Pro 9.7 and 10.5-inch

The 2nd Generation Apple Pencil (on Amazon) is compatible with:

  • iPad Air (4th and newer Generations)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st and newer Generations)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and newer Generations)

What Do You Do When Apple Pencil Won’t Connect to iPad?

Ipad with apple Pencil

Here are tested and proven solutions to your unresponsive Apple Pencil. You don’t have to follow the steps provided. It’s a matter of trial and error.

Enable and Disable Bluetooth

Minor connectivity issues may hinder your iPad and Apple Pencil from pairing. Quickly disable and enable Bluetooth to fix this.

To disable and enable Bluetooth:

  1. Open Settings.
  1. Tap Bluetooth.
  1. Toggle to disable it (turns gray).
  1. Wait for a few seconds and turn it back on (green).

You may also forget your Apple Pencil as a Bluetooth device and reconnect it again as a new device.

To go about this:

  1. Go to Settings.
  1. Tap Bluetooth.
  1. Tap the Information “I” icon on the screen’s right side.
  1. Tap Forget This Device, then confirm.

Pair the two devices again.

Clean the iPad’s Charging Port

Lint and dirt may clog on your Pencil’s lightning port and, in turn, create connectivity issues. Try cleaning it and see whether it works.

Using a toothbrush or soft cloth, gently but firmly scrape out any debris clogged in the port. Note that this only applies to the 1st generation Apple Pencils. Then, pair the two devices again.

Restart iPad

A quick way to resolve minor software glitches is to restart your device. This shuts down all running programs and starts everything afresh.

To restart iPads with Home buttons:

  1. Press down the Power button until the Slide to Power Off message appears.
  1. Swipe right to shut down.
  1. Wait a few seconds before rebooting.
  1. Similarly, press the power button to reboot until the Apple Logo appears.

For iPads without Home buttons:

  1. Press the Top button and either of the volume buttons until the Slide to Power Off message appears.
  1. Swipe right to shut down.
  1. Wait a few seconds before rebooting.
  1. To reboot, press down the Top button until the Apple Logo appears.

Close Active Apps

If the app you are using crashes, it may interfere with your Pencil’s connectivity. Close the app and try pairing your Pencil.

Charge Your Apple Pencil

It may be that your Apple Pencil is low on battery. First, check your Pencil’s battery capacity and charge it if it’s low. There are two ways of checking your Pencil’s battery level.

Using a Battery Widget

A battery widget gives you a glance update on your device’s battery.

To use it:

  1. Hold down your Home screen until you activate the Jiggle Mode State. Here, you can edit, delete, or change the locations of your apps.
  1. At the top left corner, tap on the Plus button to make the widget menu visible.
  1. Scroll down to the Batteries section. Then, swipe left and right to select a widget size.
  1. Press the Add Widget button to place it on the home screen. You can also drag the widget.

Magnetic Connection

The second (and more straightforward) method to check your Pencil’s battery level is by attaching it to your iPad using its magnetic connection. Again, a pop-up will appear on your iPad’s screen indicating the battery level.

If you find that the battery is low, recharge it before pairing it again with your iPad.

To charge 1st Generation Apple Pencils:

  1. First, take off the Pencil’s cap to expose the lightning connector.
  1. Then, plug this connector into your iPad’s charging port.

Alternatively:

  1. You can use the Pencil’s Lightning to Lightning adapter and charge it from a regular cable.
  1. Connect the end of the Pencil marked by a circle to the adapter and the lightning cable at the other end.

To charge 2nd Generation Apple Pencils:

  1. Place your Pencil on the right side of your iPad just below the volume buttons. This is where the magnetic connector is. The Pencil’s tip can point in any direction.
  1. If it fails to charge, nudge the Pencil and try again.

Reset iPad’s Network Settings

When you restore your iPad’s network settings, you will restore all cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and VPN settings. Therefore, you may want to note down these passwords before proceeding.

A network reset fixes any deep Bluetooth problems with your iPad.

To reset network settings:

  1. Go to Settings.
  1. Select General.
  1. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  1. Tap Reset and then Reset Network Settings. Confirm your selection.

Your iPad will shut down to complete the process and then reboot itself. You can now pair your Apple Pencil.

How Do You Reset Apple Pencil?

Apple doesn’t give a definite solution for resetting your Apple Pencil. However, what you can do is update its firmware. Updating your Apple Pencil’s firmware version will not just improve the connectivity but also help fix things like bugs and improve battery life.

The firmware won’t update unless your Pencil’s battery is full. So, you may first want to charge it (confirm the steps above).

When you are set, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  1. Go to General.
  1. Select About.
  1. Scroll down and select Apple Pencil.
  1. You will see your current firmware version. Click on Firmware Version to check and update any available updates.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve succeeded in fixing the problem by following the above steps. Most of these solutions are relatively easy and won’t consume much of your time. You can now go back to using your Apple Pencil without any problem.

But in the unlikely event that nothing seems to work, you may consider contacting Apple support. The geniuses at the bar will help you out.