How to Fix iPad Black Screen of Death in Minutes? (7 Easy Ways)

"The iPad I bought in 2019 now has the black screen of death. I am so careful with it. It has never fallen or been dropped."

- from Apple Community

Suppose you are playing AR games or attending a conference on your iPad when your iPad keeps going black without turning on, even when plugged into a power source. Why does my iPad keep blacking out? And how to fix the iPad black screen of death straight away? This post will show you seven efficacious solutions to troubleshoot the iPad black screen, but still on. Let's check together!

Part 1. Why Is My iPad Screen Black?

Before attempting any fixes, it's important to understand what causes an iPad's black screen. Why is my iPad screen dark? Below are the probable causes:

• Battery Depletion or Charging Issues: When the iPad's battery is completely drained, or the charger/data cable is damaged, the device may fail to power on, appearing as if the screen is black.
• iPad System Crash or Freeze: A failed iPadOS update, corrupted system files, or conflicts caused by running certain applications can result in the system freezing at a black screen.
• Software Conflicts or App Malfunctions: Incompatible third-party apps or crashes caused by running large applications or games may trigger the black screen issue on the iPad.
• iOS / iPadOS Update Issues: If the power is interrupted, there are network issues, or insufficient storage space during a system update, it can cause the device to fail the update and get stuck on a black screen.
• Hardware Problems: If the iPad has been dropped, exposed to water, or the screen is damaged, it can cause display issues, leading to a black screen.

Part 2. How to Fix iPad Black Screen of Death?

What to do if the iPad is on but the screen is black? If your iPad screen goes black randomly, try the following methods to fix it to its normal status.

Tip 1. Charge Your iPad

Before troubleshooting any system issues, the first step is to ensure that your iPad has enough battery power. Many "iPad black screen" problems are actually just due to a drained battery.

Use the original or certified charger to connect the iPad and charge it for at least 30 minutes. Check if the battery or charging icon appears. After charging is complete, press the power button to try turning it on.

Tip 2. Hard Reset Your iPad

Sometimes, the software crash will also cause the iPad to not turn on with a black screen issue. In this case, hard resetting your iPad may fix the problem.

To restart the iPad with the Home button:

• Press and hold the "Home" + "Power" buttons spontaneously.
• Continue holding the buttons until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

To restart the iPad without a Home button:

• Quickly press the "Volume Up" button.
• Quickly press the "Volume Down" button.
• Press and hold the "Power" Button until the Apple logo appears.

Tip 3. Adjust the Brightness

Sometimes, the iPad is not actually experiencing a black screen, but the screen brightness is set to the lowest level, making it nearly impossible to see the content in a bright environment.

Try viewing the screen in a darker environment. If Siri is enabled on your iPad, you can ask Siri to brighten the screen.

Tip 4. Use iTunes/Finder to Restore iPad

You can also restore your iPad with iTunes or Finder to fix the iPad's black screen of death. But you must know that the restoring process will erase all content and settings on your iPad.

If you don't mind, follow the steps below to fix the iPad black screen of death after an update:

Step 1. Open iTunes and ensure it's updated to the latest version, then connect your iPad to the computer.

Step 2. Put your iPad into recovery mode:

• For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold the "Home" and "Power" buttons together. Keep holding them until recovery mode appears.
• For iPads without a Home button: Press the "Volume Up" button, then the "Volume Down" button, and finally press and hold the "Power" button. Release all buttons when the recovery mode screen appears.

Step 3. Once iTunes prompts a window, click the "Restore" button and wait for the process to complete.

Tip 5. Boot Your iPad into DFU Mode

If recovery mode fails, DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode offers a deeper system restore, suitable for more severe iPad black screen or freezing issues. This process will completely erase all data on your iPad and is more complex to perform.

We don't recommend attempting this unless you've backed up your data before your iPad's black screen issue. However, if you're sure about proceeding, here's a guide to help you.

Step 1. Open iTunes and reconnect your device to the computer.

Step 2. Follow the steps to enter DFU mode for your specific iPad model:

• For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold both the "Home" and "Power" buttons. After about 3 seconds, release the "Power" button but continue holding the "Home" button until iTunes detects your device.
• For iPads without a Home button: Press the "Volume Up" button, followed by the "Volume Down" button. Then press and hold the "Power" button for a few seconds. Next, press and hold both the "Volume Down" and "Power" buttons for up to 6 seconds. Release the "Power" button, but keep holding the "Volume Down" button until iTunes detects your device.

Step 3. You should see a window in iTunes, tap "OK" to continue.

Step 4. Follow the instructions in iTunes and click the "Restore" button to proceed with the next step.

Tip 6. Use iOS System Recovery

Although the above ways work for the iPad black screen, some may cause data loss. To fix the iPad black screen of death without data loss, you can use iPad System Repair. Aside from the black screen of death, it also easily fixes other iPad problems, such as an unresponsive screen, iTunes error 4013/4005, boot loop, battery drain, etc.

Key features of iPad System Repair:

* Repair various iPad errors in one click, including black/white/blue/red screen of death, frozen screen, stuck on Apple logo/DFU mode/recovery mode, etc.

* Offer two recovery modes: Standard and Advanced mode.

* Downgrade and upgrade iOS/iPadOS version.

* Easy and safe to use.

* Support all iPad models with iPadOS 26 or below versions, such as the new iPad mini, iPad Air iPad Pro, etc.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

How do I fix the iPad black screen of death without data loss?

Tip 7. Contact Apple Support

If nothing above works for repairing the iPad's black screen, try the last resort - take your iPad to the nearest Apple Store to let an Apple expert check it carefully. As fixing the problem will likely cost you money, don't forget to bring the purchase receipt with you if it is under warranty.

The Bottom Line

I hope the above methods will get you out of the iPad black screen issue. If you prefer a higher success rate and a no data loss method, make iPad System Repair your prior choice. It won't disappoint you with its fast, easy, and user-friendly repair mode. Anyway, you can also get your iPad repaired in the Apple Store if nothing else works.

Finally, we will appreciate it if you give us more suggestions below. Thanks!

Related Articles:

[Solved] How to Fix iPad Won't Restore or Update in Minutes?

How to Fix iPad Screen with White Lines? - 8 Reliable Fixes

Fix iPad Touch Screen Not Working Problem in 12 Pro Ways (All iPad Series Supported)

How to Repair the iPad Keeps Crashing Issue in Minutes? (FIXED)