Is your Apple Pencil not working? Or is it unresponsive to your iPad? This guide will get your Apple Pencil 1, Apple Pencil 2, or Apple Pencil Pro back up and running in no time!
What to do when your Apple Pencil isn’t working
If your Apple Pencil is unresponsive, there are three ways to get it working properly with your iPad again:
- Charge Apple Pencil battery
- Reestablish your Apple Pencil’s connection with your iPad
- Force re-pair your Apple Pencil with your iPad
Charge your Apple Pencil battery
If your Apple Pencil is not working or unresponsive, most likely it’s out of battery. Not sure if the battery is dead? Check out the guide: How to Check Apple Pencil Battery →
How to charge your Apple Pencil:
- Apple Pencil 1: Unscrew the cap on the end of the Pencil and plug the Pencil into your iPad.
- Apple Pencil 2: Place the Pencil on the side of your iPad.
- Apple Pencil Pro: Place the Pencil on the side of your iPad.
Allow the Apple Pencil to charge for about ten minutes. Then try using it again to see if it is responsive with your iPad.
Reestablish your Apple Pencil connection with iPad
If you charge your Apple Pencil battery and it is still unresponsive, you may need to reestablish a connection with your iPad.
There are two ways to reestablish a connection between your iPad and Apple Pencil:
- On your iPad, try turning Bluetooth off and on. This can restart the connection.
- Check to make sure your Apple Pencil’s nib is securely tightened. If you’re using a fine-point ballpoint nib like Rock Paper Pencil, make sure it is twisted all the way down on your Apple Pencil.
Force re-pair your Apple Pencil with iPad
If the previous methods don’t work, you will likely need to charge your Pencil and force it to re-pair with the iPad:
- Let the Apple Pencil charge for at least one hour (using the charging instructions above).
- Visit the Bluetooth settings on your iPad and remove your Apple Pencil from the list of My Devices by tapping on Forget This Device.
- Re-pair your Apple Pencil to your iPad by plugging it into the device with Bluetooth enabled, and following the pairing dialog that appears.
- Once your Apple Pencil has paired, test it to make sure it is responsive.
Need more help pairing your Apple Pencil to iPad? Check out the guide: How to Pair Apple Pencil with iPad →
Eager to get the most out of iPad? Visit The Complete Guide to Apple Pencil →
Now that your Apple Pencil is working again, make sure you have the right accessories to get the most from your iPad.
Upgrade your Apple Pencil tip with Rock Paper Pencil
Rock Paper Pencil is a unique screen protector and Pencil tip pairing — designed for artists and notetakers.
- Reusable iPad Screen Protector: Easy application, removable and reusable
- Matte Texture: Subtle friction mimics the feel of paper (no more slippery glass!)
- Precision Apple Pencil Tips: Smoother, more controlled strokes with the ballpoint Pencil tip
- Ditch the slip: On its own, the iPad’s glass screen is a slippery surface that creates an inconsistent drag on your Apple Pencil.
- Smoother, more precise strokes: Rock Paper Pencil adds subtle friction between your screen and Apple Pencil tip, giving you more control with each stroke output.
