Why Your iPad Keeps Restarting and What to Do First
An iPad that keeps restarting on its own almost always has a software problem, not broken hardware.
The most likely cause is a software glitch or a misbehaving app, and the quickest fix is a force restart followed by an iPadOS update.
Both take under ten minutes. The fixes below run from most likely to work to last resort.
Steps confirmed against Apple’s iPadOS 26 documentation, checked July 2026.
Why does your iPad keep restarting?
Three problems cause most restart loops.
The first is a bug in iPadOS itself. Apple ships fixes for these in point updates, which is why updating solves so many restart problems.
The second is a single bad app. If the reboots happen mostly while one app is open, that app is your prime suspect.
The third is a hardware fault, and it is the least common of the three. Only Apple can confirm that one with diagnostics.
Random restarts are close cousins of lockups. If your screen also stalls before rebooting, our guide on why your iPad keeps freezing covers that side of the problem.
How do you force restart an iPad?
A force restart clears the iPad’s memory. It does not delete any of your data.
It will not cure the root cause on its own, but it breaks the loop long enough to run the other fixes.
On an iPad without a Home button
- Press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button.
- Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
- Press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo, then let go.
On an iPad with a Home button
- Press and hold the Home button and the top button at the same time.
- Keep holding both until you see the Apple logo, then let go.
The screen goes black, shows the Apple logo, then lands on your Lock Screen. That is how you know it worked.
These button steps come from Apple’s page for an iPad that won’t turn on or is frozen.
How do you update iPadOS?
Buggy software is the top cause of restart loops, and Apple patches those bugs in updates.
As of July 2026 the current version is iPadOS 26. Apple’s release notes page lists feature updates through 26.5, and small numbered fixes like 26.5.2 ship on top of it.
- Plug your iPad into power.
- Connect it to WiFi.
- Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon).
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update. You should see an available update or a note that your iPad is up to date.
- If an update appears, tap to install it and leave the iPad plugged in until it finishes.
While you are in that menu, tap Automatic Updates and turn on Automatically Install. Per Apple’s update guide, the iPad then installs updates overnight while charging on WiFi.
Could one bad app be causing the restarts?
Yes. If the reboots cluster around one app, treat that app as the suspect.
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon in the top corner.
- Tap App Updates. Install anything waiting for your suspect app.
- If the restarts continue, press and hold the app’s icon on your Home Screen.
- Tap Remove App, then tap Delete App.
- Redownload the app from the App Store and test again.
One warning: deleting an app can erase data stored inside it. Check that anything important is backed up first.
Should you free up storage?
Low storage is not proof of anything on its own, but a stuffed iPad makes every software problem worse.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap iPad Storage. You should see a colored bar showing what is using your space.
- Follow the recommendations listed there, like offloading unused apps or reviewing large videos.
Aim to keep a few gigabytes free so iPadOS has room to work.
How do you reinstall iPadOS with a computer?
If the loop keeps going, reinstalling iPadOS through a computer is the deepest software fix.
Choosing Update on the computer reinstalls iPadOS and keeps your personal data, per Apple’s recovery screen instructions. Restore is the option that erases.
- Connect your iPad to a Mac or PC with its charging cable.
- On a Mac, open Finder. On a PC, open the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
- Put the iPad into recovery mode. Use the same buttons as a force restart, but keep holding the top button (or Home button) past the Apple logo until the recovery screen appears.
- When the computer offers Restore or Update, click Update.
- Leave everything connected until the download and install finish.
Our walkthrough on putting an iPad into recovery mode shows what each screen looks like if you get stuck.
If the iPad hangs on the logo during any of this, see what to do when an iPad is stuck on a white screen with the logo.
What if nothing worked?
At this point the odds shift toward hardware, and no settings menu fixes that.
Contact Apple Support through the Apple Support app or the Get Support site and ask them to run remote diagnostics.
If the iPad is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the repair may cost you nothing. Ask before paying for anything.
Restart loops sometimes end in an iPad that will not power up at all. If that happens, our guide on an iPad that won’t come on picks up from there.
If your battery has also been draining unusually fast, mention it to Apple. Our article on an iPad battery that drains fast explains what is normal and what is not.
Frequently asked questions
Does a force restart delete anything?
No, a force restart only reboots the iPad. Your apps, photos, and settings all stay in place, so it is always safe to try first.
Will a recovery mode update erase my iPad?
Not if you click Update, which Apple says reinstalls iPadOS while keeping your personal data. Restore is the option that wipes the iPad, so save it for a last resort and only with a backup.
How do I check which iPadOS version I have?
Open the Settings app, tap General, then tap About. The iPadOS Version line shows your current version, which you can compare against the releases on Apple’s update page.
Can a bad battery make an iPad restart?
Hardware faults, including power problems, can cause restarts, but they are the least common cause. Run the software fixes first, then let Apple confirm any hardware issue with diagnostics.