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iPad2 Home Button unresponsive

I recently started experiencing an issue with the Home button on my iPad 2. Occasionally, pressing it will do nothing. So I press it again -- sometimes upwards of 4 or 5 presses before it finally responds. I'm not mashing the button and am certain that each press is an appropriate amount of force (I proudly own an iPhone 3, 3GS, 4, iPad 1 and now iPad 2, so I'm confident about how much force to press these Home buttons).
I tried power cycling the iPad 2, but that didn't help. I closed all running applications. At first, that seemed to work. For several hours, the Home button was perfectly responsive.
But alas, here I am this evening, again frustrated with the non-responsive Home button. At times, I can't even turn on my iPad since the button won't respond for several seconds.

I backed it up in iTunes and restored the factory settings. I notice it's still being unresponsive. It's so odd that the problem is intermittent. Much of the time it works fine. Then all of a sudden, when I press the Home button.... nada. It's like there is some kind of lag from when I press it and when (if) it responds. There are times when after a few presses, a brief moment later, the iPad 2 will open up the task switcher (indicating that I pushed it twice). Other times, it'll go to the search screen.

Again, this is occurring whether I'm using my configuration (latest IOS version) or even with the factory default setting.

Could really use some help or advice. Is anyone else experiencing this? I did a google search, and it seems very few are experiencing it. But it does seem to be more than just myself (if only a very small handful of people).

Thanks in advance!

iPad 2, iOS 4, Home button unresponsive

Posted on Mar 30, 2011 1:09 AM

Reply
98 replies

Mar 30, 2011 12:53 PM in response to Pagemakers2

I contacted Apple support. Having my iPad 2 sent back for them to take a look at it.
I would suggest anyone else having this issue to contact Apple and notify them about it as well. Please reply back to this thread as this looks like an issue worth keeping track of for others who are also experiencing this unresponsive Home button issue.

I'll report back after I hear something from Apple. My biggest fear is that they are not able to replicate the problem while they have it. That's the biggest problem with intermittent issues like this. The more people that call in and report it, the sooner we can nail down what is causing this problem.

Apr 1, 2011 1:41 AM in response to Pagemakers2

Thank you people. Just got my iPad on Friday the instant they were released and by Monday had the same intermittent fault you all describe. Within one week it was not working at all despite numerous resets, power cycles, restores and factory resets. I phoned Apple and they offered for me to take it to the dealer where I bought it and have it sent away for repair (nearest Apple Store 1,000 miles away). I was unhappy with this offer and they said "If I had Apple Care" and I said I did so now a new iPad is on it's way and I have to post this one back by return post when the new one arrives. The guy at Apple asked for the discussion thread to verify that it was a reported problem so thank you for taking the time to post. I'm so glad I took your advice to phone Apple.

Apr 1, 2011 2:31 AM in response to Cat Lady

Since my iPad 2 is customized (I opted for the free etching), I need to send my unit to Apple for them to take a look at it. Apple was kind enough to mail me a return shipping box with postage pre paid. It should be arriving in the next day or so.

I'll keep this thread posted with their findings when I get some details.

So far, I have to say their service is great (taking care of customers). I hope they can resolve the issue. I'm glad I still have my iPad 1 to fall back on in the meantime.

Best regards everyone!

Apr 1, 2011 2:47 PM in response to Renesis

Renesis wrote:
Having exactly the same problem. Thank God I am not alone. Hopefully this is a software issue that affects enough people to make apple look into it.

Update: Took it back to apple store yesterday and it worked perfectly 😟 (as I would have expected). Lucky that I recorded a short video with the iPhone, showing the guy how "dead" the button was. It is with the service center now, hopefully will be fixed.

Message was edited by: Renesis

Apr 6, 2011 2:38 AM in response to Nakaima

Same problem here. The home button was working intermittently straight out of the box with 4.3. Tried updating to 4.3.1, resetting, restoring -- everything. I think it has only gotten worse after couple of nights of use.

Called Apple here in Germany, they offered to send a pre-paid box for delivery and send back the repaired unit or a new one after 5-7 working days. Or if I had Apple Care, they would just send me a new one and I could continue using the faulty one until it arrives.

Now I am considering getting the Apple Care to get the unit replaced more smoothly and also for the extended warranty but let's see.

iPad2 Home Button unresponsive

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