Apple Pencil not working? Here’s how to fix it

We have all been there – you’re in the middle of an important task, and your Apple Pencil suddenly stops working. No matter how much you tap or scribble, nothing happens. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you rely on your Apple Pencil for work or school. Whether your Apple Pencil is unresponsive, unable to pair, or acting up in some other way, we have the solution for you.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through a series of fixes to get your Apple Pencil working again!

1. Check your iPad’s compatibility with Apple Pencil

Before we get too technical, it’s wise to check whether your Apple Pencil is compatible with your iPad. Here is a list of compatible devices for your reference.

Apple Pencil Version	Compatible iPads
Apple Pencil 1st Generation	iPad Pro 12.9” (2nd generation)  iPad Pro 12.9” (1st generation)  iPad Pro 10.5”  iPad Pro 9.7”  iPad Air (3rd generation)  iPad (10th generation)  iPad (9th generation)  iPad (8th generation)  iPad (7th generation)  iPad (6th generation)  iPad mini (5th generation)
Apple Pencil 2nd Generation	iPad Pro 12.9” (6th generation)  iPad Pro 12.9” (5th generation)  iPad Pro 12.9” (4th generation)  iPad Pro 12.9” (3rd generation)  iPad Pro 11” (4th generation)  iPad Pro 11” (3rd generation)  iPad Pro 11” (2nd generation)  iPad Pro 11” (1st generation)  iPad Air (5th generation)  iPad Air (4th generation)  iPad mini (6th generation)
Apple Pencil (USB C)	iPad Pro 13″ (M4)  iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation)  iPad Pro 11″ (M4)  iPad Pro 11″ (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation)  iPad Air 13″ (M2)  iPad Air 11″ (M2)  iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)  iPad (10th generation)  iPad mini (A17 Pro)  iPad mini (6th generation)
Apple Pencil Pro	iPad Pro 13″ (M4)  iPad Pro 11″ (M4)  iPad Air 13″ (M2)  iPad Air 11″ (M2)  iPad mini (A17 Pro)

2. Check the Apple Pencil’s battery

If your Apple Pencil is indeed compatible with your iPad, ensure it has enough battery. It is common for wireless devices to experience glitches when they are running low on juice.

If your Apple Pencil’s battery is low, simply select one of the following options based on its generation.

To charge the Apple Pencil (USB-C):

1. Slide open the top end of your Apple Pencil (USB-C) to reveal the USB-C charging connector.
2. Attach a USB-C charging cable to the Apple Pencil.
3. Connect the other end of the USB-C charging cable to your iPad or to a power adapter.
   • If you are connecting to your iPad, make sure that the iPad is turned on and unlocked.
4. Your Apple Pencil will start charging automatically. You can check its battery level in the Today View on your iPad.

To charge the Apple Pencil (2nd generation):

1. Place the Apple Pencil on the magnetic connector of the iPad case.
2. A few seconds later, a battery indicator will prompt on the screen.

To charge the Apple Pencil (1st generation):

1. Connect the Apple Pencil to the Lightning connector on the iPad.
   Alternatively, you can use the USB-C to use the Apple Pencil Adapter.
2. Open the Control Center and tap on the Bluetooth icon.
3. Upon connecting successfully, the battery level of the Apple Pencil will be displayed next to its name.

3. Reconnect your Apple Pencil to your iPad

If you encounter issues with your Apple Pencil not working, reconnecting the pencil to your device could be a solution.

1. Start by ensuring that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPad and remove any obstruction between the Pencil and the device.
2. Detach the Apple Pencil from its charging port and firmly plug it back in, ensuring you hear a click indicating a proper connection.

These steps should help you diligently revive your Apple Pencil. If not, read on to discover more solutions.

4. Restart Bluetooth and Re-Pair Apple Pencil

If your Apple Pencil is not functioning properly, restarting the Bluetooth connection may be a quick and effective solution. It may look primitive, but such temporary errors are not a new story in the world of gadgets.

1. Head to Settings → Bluetooth and switch it off.
   
   
2. Wait for a few moments before turning Bluetooth back on.
3. Finally, pair your Apple Pencil as usual.

In most cases, restarting the Bluetooth connection should resolve any issues with a nonresponsive or malfunctioning Apple Pencil.

Should this prove ineffective, there’s another way you can reset the connection between your Apple Pencil and iPad.

1. Navigate to the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Go to the Bluetooth option.
3. Tap the info icon next to the paired Apple Pencil
   
   
4. Finally, hit Forget This Device → Forget Device when prompted.
   
   

Now, wait for some time. After a short duration, pair the Apple Pencil the traditional way.

5. Clean Apple Pencil’s nib

One potential solution could be to clean the nib of your Apple Pencil. Over time, debris such as dust and dirt can accumulate on the tip of the pencil, causing reduced sensitivity or even complete unresponsiveness. To fix this issue:

1. Start by removing the cap of the Apple Pencil and detach the nib from the main body.
2. Gently wipe away any visible debris using a soft, lint-free cloth or a microfiber cleaning pad.
3. Avoid using excessive force, as this could damage the nib.
4. Once cleaned, firmly reattach the nib to ensure a proper connection with your device.

6. Change Apple Pencil’s nib

If this cleaning method does not resolve the problem, there may be other underlying issues with your Apple Pencil. If the nib of your pencil looks worn out or damaged, you should consider replacing the tip.

To replace the nib, gently unscrew it from the tip of the pencil and insert a new one. It is crucial to ensure that the replacement nib is genuine and designed specifically for your Apple Pencil model to maintain optimal performance.

Additionally, while changing the nib can restore functionality, it may not address other potential underlying issues.

7. Check whether the app supports Apple Pencil

Many users are unaware that not every app supports Apple Pencil.

The Apple Pencil is designed to work seamlessly with certain apps that have been specifically optimized for its use.

• Hence, take a brief look through the respective app’s documentation and look for mention of Apple Pencil. The app developer should have mentioned a list of compatible stylus devices.
• Furthermore, a few apps require manual permission for Apple Pencil support. Go through their menu and system settings to discover one such feature.

These factors should be helpful if the app supports Apple Pencil. If not, I prefer sticking to native apps for the time being.

8. Turn on Scribble mode on Apple Pencil

If your Apple Pencil is not functioning properly, the best way to verify your doubts is to enable Scribble Mode. This feature allows you to test your Apple Pencil through a series of functions and get a complete list of its capabilities.

1. Head to the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Select the Apple Pencil option to proceed.
3. Toggle on Scribble Mode.
4. Now, tap Try Scribble.
   
   
5. Here, you can test your Apple Pencil via any or all of the following actions:
   • Handwrite: Use your pencil to handwrite in the text area to convert it to type.
   • Delete: Remove editable text just by scratching the word or sentence.
   • Select: Circle or draw a line through the text to easily select it.
   • Insert: Tap and hold with your pencil to make room for new text.
   • Join: Draw a vertical line to join characters or separate words.
6. Tap Done to conclude the process.
   
   
   Enabling this mode may improve the functionality of your Apple Pencil, enhancing its compatibility with various apps and enabling handwriting recognition.

However, if you are unable to perform any of the listed actions, your Apple Pencil may require immediate assistance.

9. Remove your iPad screen protector

Screen protectors can sometimes cause functional issues, which are often blamed on the Apple Pencil. If you have been using a thick screen guard for your iPad, maybe it’s time to remove it.

Although this occurrence is pretty rare, screen protectors tend to interfere with the pencil’s functionality by creating a gap between the screen and the stylus.

Hence, gently peeling off these protective layers from your iPad will eliminate any potential air gaps and restore the smooth operation of your Apple Pencil.

10. Restart your iPad

If you find your Apple Pencil not responding all of a sudden, a quick and effective resolution is to restart your iPad. This golden solution works for all kinds of bugs and errors.

Once the restart is complete successfully, reconnect your Apple Pencil to your iPad and see if it works properly. This troubleshooting step can resolve connectivity issues between the pencil and iPad, ensuring uninterrupted productivity or creativity.

11. Reset or update your iPad

Those who are still facing this issue should opt to reset their iPads to factory settings.

The Apple Pencil relies on compatibility with the iPadOS, and sometimes, a refreshed system can resolve all compatibility issues.

Apple often releases software updates that fix minor bugs and restore the system to its original state. If you’re lucky, this will get you going in a minute!

1. To update iPadOS, go to Settings → General → Software Update → tap Update Now if a new software version is available.
2. Once the update is complete, restart your iPad and try using the Apple Pencil again.

If none of the solutions work, contact Apple Support…

Sadly, if the problem persists, you must consider bringing in the experts. In this circumstance, contact Apple Support. They have a team of knowledgeable professionals who are equipped to provide comprehensive assistance and guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Through an interactive and efficient support process, they can help troubleshoot the issue and suggest potential solutions. In rare cases, hardware-related issues might require repair or replacement, which Apple Support can facilitate seamlessly.

Design uninterrupted!

There you have it, a rejuvenated Apple Pencil ready to amplify your creative endeavors. Whether you’re an artist, a student, or someone who simply loves the fluidity of digital inking, these tips should get you back on track. Now, go ahead, pick up that resurrected stylus, and let your ideas flow effortlessly once again.

Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Read more:

• Apple Pencil not charging? Easy ways to fix it!
• Best iPad apps for Apple Pencil
• Best iPad apps for better and smarter usage
• Best iPad Apps for Teachers