Flickering Red line appeared on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th gen)

A red line appeared on my iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 5th generation) out of nowhere. It was really prominent last night, but it disappeared today. Now it has resurfaced again, but it's much thinner than before.


What could this be? If it were dead pixels, how can the line flicker like this? Also, what would be the rough cost to fix it?


Moreover, it flickers when I zoom in and out, and I’ve maintained it meticulously. I always stopped using it when it got hot, never dropped it, and never even took it outside the house. I didn’t take it into the washroom either. I cleaned it regularly and kept a cover on it to prevent dust. I took better care of it than I took care of myself, and it still broke. The worst part is that it’s only been four years.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 26

Posted on Jan 18, 2026 6:18 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 18, 2026 6:22 AM

You can easily determine if you have a hardware or software issue. A reliable method to confirm a screen or other hardware fault is to take a screenshot when the fault is evident - and then review the captured screenshot image...


When reviewed, if the lines are not present in the screenshot image, then you have demonstrated that you have a hardware fault that, sooner or later, may become sufficiently severe that repair or replacement of the iPad are the only options. If the lines are visible in the screenshot, the something other than hardware will be the cause.


Note: When reviewing the image, rotating the iPad screen orientation by 90°, from Portrait to Landscape, will ensure that the image does not coincide with screen defects if present.


Take a screenshot on your iPad – Apple Support



If the test indicates that a hardware fault, a visit to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store is recommended - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad. This will likely inform your next steps:


Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

iPad Repair – Official Apple Support

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 18, 2026 6:22 AM in response to nivedita180

You can easily determine if you have a hardware or software issue. A reliable method to confirm a screen or other hardware fault is to take a screenshot when the fault is evident - and then review the captured screenshot image...


When reviewed, if the lines are not present in the screenshot image, then you have demonstrated that you have a hardware fault that, sooner or later, may become sufficiently severe that repair or replacement of the iPad are the only options. If the lines are visible in the screenshot, the something other than hardware will be the cause.


Note: When reviewing the image, rotating the iPad screen orientation by 90°, from Portrait to Landscape, will ensure that the image does not coincide with screen defects if present.


Take a screenshot on your iPad – Apple Support



If the test indicates that a hardware fault, a visit to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store is recommended - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad. This will likely inform your next steps:


Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

iPad Repair – Official Apple Support

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Flickering Red line appeared on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th gen)

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