iPad dropped, now with red screen/background

I've had the original iPad for several months now, and it has been working fine. However, yesterday, the iPad was dropped (a couple of inches from the ground), and now the background screen is red. You can still see the icons and the iPad remains fully functional, except for the red discoloration in the background. For example, when you play a video, the letterbox is now red instead of black.


Has anyone experienced this before? I've synced it, but no effect. Don't want to try a full restore unless it's absolutely necessary. I've read on the net that it may be corrected over time?


Thanks in advance.

iPad, iOS 4.3.2

Posted on Jun 13, 2011 5:58 PM

Reply
470 replies

Oct 25, 2012 7:18 AM in response to Jim71

Thanks for those wonderful posts, My iPad fell not once but twice in last one month! After managing to hard boot I was quite frustrated at the multi color screens and distorted images. Did all the slapping but in vain. Finally I saw one of the posts recommending to twist the iPad in a diagonal fashion and woooooow it started working properly. My theory -both the times it fell, there has been distortion to its form which was not visible and one needs to twist the screen back to its original form! I will not bet my life on this but it worked! Thanks again for sharing life saving tips!

Oct 26, 2012 4:29 PM in response to Jim71

I just did the "Jim71 Manuever" and my Ipad 2 came back to life! I dropped it the other day and had the redish screen problem and feared it was done.


I was especially worried since I had also dropped it two weeks ago, and had a constant black/blue screen. I took to the Genius Bar, and they tried but pronounced it dead. While the guy was in the back getting me a replacement, I tried to rub the fingerprints off my screen with my fleece sleeve, and it suddenly popped back to life - probably the same concept of putting enough pressure on the screen and back. Amazing! I am stunned at how many Ipads seem to come back to life this way!

Nov 13, 2012 8:53 PM in response to Jim71

Jim71, Kippsy10,



Thanks a ton to both - Tapped It & it worked - Guess you guys are a thousand times better than Apple Support !


Had taken my Ipad in a backpack, must have got jostled around. When I booted it, showed weird colours (Green, Magenta etc.) - Everything else was working normal - Was wondering whether to take it for repairs when saw your post - Gave the Ipad a few strong taps (Not too soft - Not too hard !) & presto, screen back to normal.


Wonder if it is a special secret feature built into the Ipad 1 - Tap to Restore - Hahaha !


Again, thanks Jim71, Kipssy10 - It works !

Nov 17, 2012 4:39 AM in response to Jim71

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

my wife had a dreadful morning worried sick her beloved iPad was a goner and what I would say. She did not even drop it just tapped the table as it slid onto her lap!


red fuzzy screen and two smart taps later, one with iPad turned off - no effect and the one more after it was turned on. Hardish as if it had to be replaced what did it matter but only a slap not a bang

Thank you, thank you, thank you

PPS I think she really wanted a upgrade from iPad 1 so perhaps I'll be seeing red again!

Nov 19, 2012 7:39 PM in response to Samloo

Oh man I dropped my iPad 2 last night i didnt see it in the sheets so when i pulled them my ipad fell i had dropped it before so has my 3year old and nothing happened but since I was going to bed I didn't check it till this afternoon I took it over to my sister in law house and I was going to let my son watch movies and it was green I was so freaked out like I ruined it and now my husband is goin to be mad that I don't take care of it so all day today I tried turning it off and back on and it didn't work :-( but I read people's comments here about tapping it and it didn't work then I saw yours about dropping it and I did and when I picked it up IT WORKED THE SCREEN WAS BACK TO NORMAL LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED!!!! Thank you you saved my life from repairing it!!!

Nov 20, 2012 1:57 PM in response to Jim71

Thank's a lot for your response. My ipad had been well-protected in my bag, but I dropped the bag a bit quickly and I heard that the ipad got a bit hit when the bag touched the ground. This was sufficient to encounter the red screen problem which you described so well. Everything was working, but some color had been gone. I started to look at the forums and discovered your post quickly after. I could not believe it when reading it, but then tried it. Some gentle hits on the back of the ipad while leaving it in its protection. And unbeliebable, it worked. Thank you very much again.

Dec 5, 2012 8:09 AM in response to Jim71

Had to add MY VOICE too. My iPad2 is in a fairly sturdy leatherette case and it fell about 3 inches onto a counter. When I opened it the screen had a horrible tinge and flickered slightly. I panicked a bit then googled the problem and found this discussion. Truly, I tell you, after a couple slaps, the screen normalized as if it had never happened. That was late last night and here I am typing this and never the red screen ever again! Dei Gratias!!!

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iPad dropped, now with red screen/background

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.