Apple Pencil (USB C) won’t connect to iPad (10th gen)

carleyfrommodesto wrote:

I just bought an Apple Pencil usb-c and it won’t connect to my iPad (10th gen). I previously had a 1st gen pen that worked fine but I lost it.

My current iOS version is 17.5.1. I restarted the iPad, turned Bluetooth off and on again, left the pen to charge, left the pen connected to the iPad and still no notification. 

Any ideas?

These support pages may be helpful with pairing and use of the Pencil with your iPad:

Connect Apple Pencil with your iPad - Apple Support

Charge your Apple Pencil and check the battery - Apple Support

If you continue to experience difficulties, here is one of the better troubleshooting guides:

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

Be aware that if your Pencil has been set-aside for an extended period, unused and uncharged, the Pencil battery may have been damaged through deep discharge. In common with all Li-ion batteries, they must always have some level of charge.

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.

Gentle warming of the Pencil (such as placing on a hot water radiator), prior to attempting charging of the Pencil, can sometimes resurrect a dead Pencil battery.

If needed, you can seek assistance from Apple Support using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page.

Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad and Pencil:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

If your Apple Pencil (USB-C) won’t connect to your iPad (10th generation), follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check Compatibility

• • Ensure that your Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with your iPad (10th generation). As of now, only the Apple Pencil (1st and 2nd generation) are compatible with iPads. The USB-C Apple Pencil is specifically designed for the iPad Pro models.

1. Restart Both Devices

• • Restart your iPad: Press and hold the top button until the slider appears, then slide to power off. Turn it back on by holding the top button again.
  • Restart your Apple Pencil: Disconnect and reconnect it to reset any potential issues.

1. Update iPadOS

• • Make sure your iPad is running the latest version of iPadOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.

1. Check USB-C Port and Cable

• • Ensure the USB-C port on your iPad and the USB-C connector on your Apple Pencil are clean and free of debris.
  • Use a different USB-C cable if available to rule out a faulty cable.

1. Pairing Process

• • Plug your Apple Pencil directly into the USB-C port on your iPad.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your Apple Pencil. If no prompt appears, try disconnecting and reconnecting the Pencil.

1. Reset Network Settings

• • Sometimes, resetting network settings can resolve connectivity issues. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Note that this will also reset Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings.

1. Contact Apple Support

• • If none of the above steps work, there may be a hardware issue with either the iPad or the Apple Pencil. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.

Additional Tips

• Charge Your Devices: Ensure both your iPad and Apple Pencil are adequately charged.
• Check for Physical Damage: Inspect both the iPad and Apple Pencil for any signs of physical damage that could affect connectivity.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve any issues preventing your Apple Pencil (USB-C) from connecting to your iPad (10th generation).

mrmichel45 wrote:

• Ensure that your Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with your iPad (10th generation). As of now, only the Apple Pencil (1st and 2nd generation) are compatible with iPads. The USB-C Apple Pencil is specifically designed for the iPad Pro models.

An iPad 10 running iPadOS 17.1.1 or later is compatible with the Apple USB-C Pencil.

ChatGPT (or similar LLM models), as likely used to generate your reply, is not a reliable source of information.

As you’ve already tried charging it and it still won’t connect, contact Apple Support.