iPad home button not working

You x out of an app by putting all of your fingerson the screen and move them on touch screen like you are squashing something in your hand, without taking your finger off the screen.

This an alternative way.

THANK YOU, Ram4Kid. I had the same problem and believe it or not, this method works. Just to add on, in my case (iPad2 with iOS6), I had to REMOVE the magnetic cover and rotate while holding the home button. I hope this helps. Thanks again.

Last march I bought and iPad 2 and a few months later started having this problem... Home button just wont work. But since theres this tricks w the fingers ....multitasking gestures, I relied on that and on the days the button worked properly. Until I really got tired, started writing to apple... Applying for service. While I was writting my friend entered this chat and told me the Ram4kid solution to this problem.... And guess what??? Has been working ever since every single time. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Amazing! It worked!

I've had my iPad just over a year now and have been experiencing the intermittent button problem about 1-2 months. While the indicated solution above work temporally, and needs to be redone again occasionally so it is not a permanent fix, at least in my case. My question is, then based on the nature of the issue and the temporary nature, would this indicate that it is a SOFTWARE problem, or a HARDWARE issue????? At least a software problem stands the chance of getting fixed...

Thanks or any feedback!

I've had the same problem - just started a week ago. I've read all of the threads - the recalibration you mentioned (rotating the screen while holding the home button) seems to work. Also they mention some sort of a reset - push the power button on the side, when the "slide to power off" icon appears, hold down the home button and wait until the "slide" icon fades. They both work, problem is, it comes back. I'm pretty certain it is not a hardware issue. I have never dropped my iPad, I keep it in its case, I don't let anyone else touch it, nor do I pound on it that much.

It's not like it happened gradually, and the reset fixes seem to work for a short period of time. I'm trying to figure out if there is some sort of app conflict - maybe when one of them updated, but I can't seem track it down.

Well, let me update you on this one.

I already posted 'bout my iPad having the same problem.

Tried the "reset" fix. Worked for a while, then the problem came back.

Repeated more than ten times. Also tried installing from scratch - didnt change a thing.

Then I got a new iPad from work. Same model, same size.

Decided I didnt need both, so I backed up the first one through iCloud, sold it, and installed the backup on my second one. Never had the problem since.

My personal conclusion: Hardware error!

After trying all of the remedies on this message board, I finally made an appt at the Genius Bar to have them take a look. After a quick review and observation of the issue, I was given a new replacement iPad under warrantee (I purchased mine in May 2012).

No questions asked. It was a quick and painless process. Definitely a hardware issue.

Good luck!

That's one way to approach it, though if it is a software issue that arises from a conflict of your apps, then it will only come back if you reload the same things. I've read a few people who have mentioned that they had gotten a new iPad, only to have the problem return. I've fixed this problem several times through recalibration and hard resets, and it seems to work for a while, but the problem returns. If the software fixes work instantly, then how could it be a hardware issue?

I guess there's nothing wrong with getting a brand new iPad, and I suspect apple is smart enough to know there is an issue, so maybe they wouldn't do a simple replace if it wasn't a hardware issue because of the costs. They havent issued a software fix, so perhaps thats an indication that they do have a hardware problem, but they dont want to broadcast it. But it is still a hassle getting to the store, dealing with the madness and reloading everything if the problem is just a simple conflict that will return.

Here's one other wildcard which probably has nothing to do with software, but it doesn't seem that far fetched - are you using a Smart Cover? I am.

I had this problem which despite the fixes kept recurring. I no longer use the smart cover and have not had the problem now for many months.

One other thought that might make sense. I lifted this from one of the other forums:

"EASY FIX.. My home button was not working either. I pressed the home button twice after playing with it so that the recently opened apps at the bottom of the screen showed up. I pressed one of these apps and held it down until a negative sign showed up. Press press all the negative signs in red to close those apps. Problem fixed. it will not erase the Apps but it will close them from recent memory."

I always wondered how you completely close an app. I don't have the energy to narrow down the issue. If it happens again, I'm just going to return it. I'm out.

I wonder whether pressing the home button firmly, then turning your finger would have the same effect. If a doorbell pushbutton was sticking, you might press the button firmly then turn your finger clockwise and anticlockwise.

ie. it still instinctively seems like a hardware - faulty home button - problem.

It's possible. But when I just tried Ram4Kid's trick, I rotated my hand/thumb with the iPad. And the trick amazingly worked for me too. My home button went from wildly unresponsive/flaky to working perfect again.

I've done everything, and they all work for a time, but I am absolutely convinced it is an issue with the smart cover. Take it off, do the callibration/rotate and if necessary do the hard reset, but it will still come back until you change your cover. I'd love to hear if there is someone who can refute that (i.e. they've had the same issues when they weren't using the smart cover).