Apple Pencil no longer working after recent software update

I saw this inquiry posted by DeanMacSha from March. I updated my iPad with the new software. Now my iPad is not connecting to my Apple Pencil. When I attempt to connect it just shows the Apple Pencil bubble at the top and will not actually connect for use. This looks to be a known issue and it is now happening to me. I’ve tried the following

forgetting the device and reconnecting
turning on and off blue tooth
leaving Pencil connected and then trying back 30 min later

I have the second generation Pencil and iPad Air 4th gen

my Pencil was working fine and after the 16.6 updated version I immediately started experiencing issues.

Posted on Aug 22, 2023 5:56 PM

Best reply

JMsMyName

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Oct 17, 2023 2:13 PM

This is what’s happening to me! It shows the pencil attached but will not work when I try and use it. I have restart/rebooted and reset but nothing works. Initially after disconnecting from my Bluetooth, iPad acted like it would connect again to my pencil and now won’t show the pencil on the list, just shows the pencil when I attach it to the side then the pencil disappears and I cant select pair or anything! Super frustrating and I’m feeling like I might leave apple.

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41 replies

Oct 22, 2023 8:20 AM in response to krarcd36

I am also having the same problems and have been for about a month now. I have tried all of the things listed to reconnect it including changing the tip. The first time I changed the tip it worked for about three days I thought I had solved the issue but then stopped working again. Exact same situation shows it’s connected but doesn’t work. I went and bought more new tips which did nothing at all.

Dec 5, 2023 4:51 PM in response to LotusPilot

Reintall the entire OS. That is what Apple Geniuses will recommend. It doesn't require to be a genius to figure that out. You are the ones who have to go through the painful process. Why would Apple use their staff time to fix bugs in their code?

Dec 24, 2023 5:33 PM in response to krarcd36

My Apple Pencil was connecting just fine yesterday but now it seems that my palm rejection has broken? Unlike the original poster my pencil IS connecting but my iPad is no longer doing palm rejection, regardless of platform. This is not an issue of the nib or pencil as both of those are brand new, and this issue only began after the update. I am a visual artist by trade and need my iPad for work. APPLE PLEASE FIX THIS

Dec 24, 2023 7:49 PM in response to Copiouscrawdads

I ended up re-ordering a cheap stylus off of Amazon that I had before I bought the Apple pencil that seems to be doing the trick for now https://a.co/d/ccUi1Zq

My plan is to order a second one in a few weeks that way each of my iPads has their

own

MoD989

Level 1

8 points

Jan 9, 2024 2:44 AM in response to krarcd36

Having the same issue with my Apple Pencil since IOS17 - I’ve just been to my local Apple Store - & they just said its broken and do i want to buy another one for another 95pounds!!!! - Not very impressed - This is definitely a software issue!! And Apple just want me to buy a new one??

juli47

Level 1

8 points

Apr 6, 2024 9:50 AM in response to siqi273

I followed this strange advice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8k4G1HUkd8

And also selected “Forget This Device” for my Apple Pencil on Bluetooth and paired my pencil again and everything works now, so I’m not sure which helped.

Dec 15, 2023 10:50 AM in response to krarcd36

Same here

Dec 21, 2023 6:53 PM in response to krarcd36

Same here!

siqi273

Level 1

8 points

Dec 23, 2023 9:05 AM in response to krarcd36

Same!! What did you all do?

Jan 21, 2024 2:36 PM in response to ZintainUSA

I had the same issue as everyone in this thread (iPad wouldn’t recognize the pencil after updating to 17.2 OS). This hard reset fixed it, hopefully it stays that way.

Jan 22, 2024 3:53 AM in response to krarcd36

Same problem here after update. Apple pencil stops working on my 7th OS 17 ipad but works well on another iPad 8th OS 16. When i connect pencil to OS 17 screen freezes.

Apple Pencil no longer working after recent software update