Newsroom Update

The redesigned iPad Air and new iPad Pro with Apple silicon are now available. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

The apple pencil doesn't work

When I plug into the ipad it shows 1% charged and it never charges more and doesn't work.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 14

Posted on Aug 18, 2021 7:21 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Aug 18, 2021 9:07 PM

olesia179 Said:

"The apple pencil doesn't work: When I plug into the ipad it shows 1% charged and it never charges more and doesn't work."

-------


Troubleshooting Apple Pencils:


Use these Links:

Verify the compatibility of your iPad and Apple Pencil


View: If your Apple Pencil won't pair with your iPad


Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled


Be certain there is power to your Apple Pencil


Successfully pair and charge your 2nd Generation Apple Pencil

3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Aug 18, 2021 9:07 PM in response to olesia179

olesia179 Said:

"The apple pencil doesn't work: When I plug into the ipad it shows 1% charged and it never charges more and doesn't work."

-------


Troubleshooting Apple Pencils:


Use these Links:

Verify the compatibility of your iPad and Apple Pencil


View: If your Apple Pencil won't pair with your iPad


Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled


Be certain there is power to your Apple Pencil


Successfully pair and charge your 2nd Generation Apple Pencil

Aug 19, 2021 1:51 AM in response to olesia179

Start here:

Charge your Apple Pencil and check the battery - Apple Support


Here is one of the better troubleshooting guides for Apple Pencil:

https://appletoolbox.com/apple-pencil-not-working-heres-our-troubleshooting-guide/


Assuming that you do not have any other iPad charging issues - and that the Lightning Port of your iPad is free from debris - whilst the Pencil is plugged-in to the Lightning Port of your iPad, verify that the Pencil is recognised:

Settings > General > About


Scroll to the bottom of the page - and you should find entries for the Pencil (iPadOS13 and earlier: one each for the physical and Bluetooth connections. iPadOS14: sometimes only one entry). Finding these listed entries suggests that the Pencil electronics are good - otherwise, you have a totally dead pencil.


Whilst connected to the iPad, check the Battery Widget for the charge status of the Pencil. Is it 100%? If not, let the Pencil charge; if it is fully charged, disconnect from the iPad. 


When disconnected from iPad, does the Pencil disappear from the Battery Widget - or it’s indicated state of charge suddenly fall? If either of these are true, then the Pencil battery is likely to be failing or dead.


The tiny internal Li-ion battery is susceptible to permanent/irreversible damage through being left discharged for long periods. Even some “new” pencils can exhibit signs of failure out-of-the-box if they are “old stock”. It is essential that if you have an Apple Pencil that you charge it regularly - whether used or not - so as to protect the battery from deep-discharge. Do not allow a pencil to remain in low-charge state for any period of time - as the internal battery will fail, rendering the Pencil useless. Setting aside an unused Pencil, for extended periods, is a recipe for premature death of the Pencil battery.


If the Pencil Battery has failed, the only remedy is to replace the Pencil. If the battery has failed and your pencil is within its one-year warranty, you should look to having it replaced by your retailer or at an Apple Store.


Some reports suggest that gentle warming of the Pencil (such as a hot water radiator - and not direct heat) prior to attempting charging of the Pencil can resurrect a Pencil battery.


I hope this information proves to be helpful in both diagnosing and resolving the problem.

The apple pencil doesn't work

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.