On an iPad Pro (M4) or iPad Air (M2), Apple's screen article gives three checks for a screen that is too sensitive or responds only sometimes: restart, clean the screen, and disconnect accessories and remove the case or screen protector. It says to make sure the screen is clean and free of debris or water, to disconnect any USB-C accessories, and if the screen works after removing one, to try a different outlet, cable or charger. If the screen is frozen, Apple's next article gives the force restart: press and release the volume button nearest the top button, then the one farthest, and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. A screen that still fails, or has lines, dead patches or a crack, needs service.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air screen or touch input is not working correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A case, protector or debris
What separates it Touch is patchy near the edges or too sensitive
How to confirm Apple says to remove any case or screen protector and clean the screen
- 2
A charger or accessory injecting noise
What separates it Touch misfires only while the device is plugged in and works normally on battery
How to confirm Apple says to disconnect USB-C accessories and, if the screen works, try a different outlet, cable or charger
- 3
A software freeze
What separates it The screen is black or frozen but the tablet is on
How to confirm Force restart the device as Apple describes for your model, then test touch again
- 4
Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard oddities
What separates it Odd input while a Pencil is nearby or the keyboard is docked
How to confirm Detach the Pencil and the keyboard, and retest the screen
- 5
Water on the screen
What separates it Random taps or ghost touches appear when the screen is wet or has moisture on it
How to confirm Dry the tablet; Apple says to make sure the screen is free of water
- 6
A damaged display or logic fault
What separates it Lines, dead patches or a visible crack appear on the display and touch is unreliable near them
How to confirm Book service, because the touch panel is not something a user can repair at home
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Model and size, and the iPadOS version
- Whether the fault is an area, an edge or the whole screen
- Whether a case, protector, Pencil or keyboard is on
- Whether the screen is cracked or the tablet was wet or dropped
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRestart
ReversibleTurn the iPad off and on again, using Power off and then holding the side button, which clears many temporary touch glitches.
Clean and dry the screen
ReversibleClean and dry the screen, by wiping it with a soft cloth to remove debris and water.
Remove the case and protector
ReversibleTest the phone bare with the case and screen protector removed, so you can tell whether the accessory is the cause.
Disconnect accessories
ReversibleUnplug USB-C accessories, Pencil and keyboard, then try a different cable or charger if touch returns.
Force restart
ReversiblePress and release the volume button nearest the top button, then the one farthest, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
Update iPadOS
ReversibleOpen Settings, General, Software Update and install any update waiting, since newer software often fixes touch and connection faults.
Book service
ReversibleIf it still misbehaves after these steps, arrange service with Apple, who can test the screen and the connectors properly.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Screens
- iPad Pro 13-inch and 11-inch (M4): Tandem OLED. iPad Air (M2): 11-inch 2360 by 1640 Liquid Retina and 13-inch 2732 by 2048, per Wikipedia.
- Accessories
- Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) work with both, and the Magic Keyboard attaches to both, per Wikipedia.
- Part numbers
- No part number is needed. The model is in Settings, General, About and on the back.
- Tools and supplies
- A microfibre cloth, clear tape for a cracked screen, a flashlight, and another cable and charger for the retest. Do not use heat or a blade on the glass.
- Repair cost
- Battery service is $119 for an iPad Air and $149 or $179 for the iPad Pro of the M2 generation per MacRumors and SlashGear.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If touch is faulty after Apple's three checks and a force restart, contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider
- !If the screen is cracked or shows lines, do not delay repair
- !If the tablet is stuck on the Apple logo, follow Apple's recovery steps with a computer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Restart, clean the screen, disconnect accessories, remove cases and protectors, and get service.
Force restart for iPads with and without a Home button and recovery steps.
M4 chip, Tandem OLED, battery watt-hours, USB-C with Thunderbolt/USB4, Wi-Fi 6E, RAM and storage tiers and weights.
M2 chip, 11 and 13 inch battery watt-hours, 10 Gbit/s USB-C, Wi-Fi 6E and storage tiers.
Exact questions
Common questions
Does the Pro's OLED touch differently from the Air's LCD?+
The panels differ, per Wikipedia (Tandem OLED on the Pro, Liquid Retina on the Air), but Apple's touch steps are identical for all four models.
How do I test the whole screen?+
Draw a line along each edge and across the middle in Notes. Dead patches or jumps show where the fault is.
What if touch fails only while charging?+
Apple says to try a different outlet, cable or charger if the screen works after removing an accessory.
Does the Apple Pencil interfere?+
Detaching it and testing with a finger separates the two.
What if the iPad is stuck on the logo?+
Apple's article uses recovery mode with a computer and the Update option, and says to repeat if it takes more than 15 minutes.
Should I restore the iPad?+
Only after Update fails and with a backup, since a restore erases the tablet.
Does brightness affect touch?+
No. Brightness changes what you see, not how touch is read.
Can wet fingers cause faults?+
Water on the screen can register as touches. Apple says to make sure the screen is free of water.
Is the screen covered by warranty?+
The Apple Limited Warranty covers manufacturing issues for one year and does not cover accidental damage, per Apple's iPad service page.
Will AppleCare+ cover a cracked screen?+
Apple's iPad service page lists accidental damage protection under its AppleCare plans; check your plan's terms for what it covers.
Can I keep using it with a small crack?+
Tape it and avoid pressure, and back up first in case touch fails completely.