Apple Pencil won’t pair

My fist generation Apple Pencil won’t connect to my 10th generation iPad and I’ve done all the troubleshooting, I’ve had this pencil for 2 years and it worked with my other 10th generation iPad. I really want to avoid buying a new pencil

iPad (10th generation)

Posted on Nov 4, 2026 9:20 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 4, 2026 9:28 AM

If you have already "done all the troubleshooting" as you suggest, there is really little that we can advise.


Perhaps start with precisely what you have already tried. From there contributors here may be able to offer additional guidance and troubleshooting.


Otherwise, start here:

Pair Apple Pencil with your iPad - Apple Support


The first generation Pencil is charged and paired from iPad10 using the iPad charging cable - and an Apple USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter:



Assuming that you are using a first generation Pencil and the correct charging Adapter and USB-C cable with your iPad10, 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.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


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.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 4, 2026 9:28 AM in response to Dog-lover17

If you have already "done all the troubleshooting" as you suggest, there is really little that we can advise.


Perhaps start with precisely what you have already tried. From there contributors here may be able to offer additional guidance and troubleshooting.


Otherwise, start here:

Pair Apple Pencil with your iPad - Apple Support


The first generation Pencil is charged and paired from iPad10 using the iPad charging cable - and an Apple USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter:



Assuming that you are using a first generation Pencil and the correct charging Adapter and USB-C cable with your iPad10, 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.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


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.

Apple Pencil won’t pair

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