Ipad Troubleshooting Tips

Your iPad is probably getting more use now than it ever has. It’s the perfect device for Facetime calls, games, and Netflix. A glitchy iPad could really put a cramp in your quarantine style. Not to worry, most iPad problems are easy to fix at home, just follow these four steps:

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1. Check Your Network

If your iPad is being sluggish, it may be your internet connection that’s to blame. If your wifi bars are low, try moving closer to your router or resetting your router and modem. You can do this by unplugging the router and modem for at least 30 seconds and then plugging them back in.  If this doesn’t help, you can try resetting your iPad's network settings. Do this by going into your settings, tapping “General,” “reset,” then “reset network settings.” It may prompt you to enter a passcode before it resets. Your iPad will then reset its network settings and restart. It should automatically join your network when it starts back up, but if not, you can join manually.

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2. Look Into Your apps

Having too many apps open at one time can slow your iPad down. To see your open apps, double-tap the home button, or draw four or five fingers together on the screen. All of your open apps will appear, and you can drag them to the top of the screen to close them.  Still bogged down? You may have a specific app that is causing problems. Even apps purchased in the app store can become corrupted or take up too much space on your device. If your problems started happening after a recent app download or they happen after you’ve used a specific app, try deleting it. Deleting an app will also delete its data, so make sure you’ve backed up anything important. Sometimes if you redownload an app after removing it, the app will work better.  It may not be the apps themselves that are the problem, but the space they are taking up. If nearly all of your RAM has been used, try deleting some apps and photos ( you can back them up to the cloud or another device first.)

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3. Try Turning It Off and Back On Again

If none of the above tips have worked, try turning the iPad off, wait 30 seconds and then turn it back on. This is the tried and true fix for many computer problems because it really does work. A frozen iPad or one that is malfunctioning too severely to be turned off the normal way will need a hard restart. You can do this by simultaneously pressing the sleep/wake button and the home button. Keep holding them down until the Apple logo appears on the screen. After your iPad is rebooted, you can go in and check on your apps, as recommended in step 2. 

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4. If It's Still Broken

So you've tried everything, and your iPad is still having problems. You have two options left. Option one is to reset the iPad. This is an extreme measure that involves backing up everything on your iPad, deleting everything on it, and then reinstalling it.  Before you try this, you might want to consider having a professional take a look at it. Many phone repair shops will also repair iPads. Even though shop hours may be limited right now, some phone repair companies like FixIt Mobile are providing mail-in repair services. For a severely malfunctioning iPad, a professional repair might be your best option for protecting your investment (and your quarantine entertainment.)