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iPad home button not working

There does seem to be a systemic problem with the iPad home button. There are countless reports on the net of people who are experiencing problems with the button not working, and I'm now onto my second iPad in a row that's experiencing the same issue - when my first one stopped working I brought it to the Apple Store, who instantly replaced it without question, even though it wouldn't behave badly for me in the store. But now that new iPad is doing exactly the same thing. Symptoms are that the button works very erratically, and often not at all. It's hard to figure out if it's a hardware problem or something else. There are countless solutions proposed on the net, most of which amount to shaking a bag of bat's teeth over it. Anyone had any real success with any technique? It really seems like it's an iOS problem rather than a hardware problem, as iPhones and iPad Touches are also reporting it?

Posted on Jun 3, 2012 5:04 PM

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Posted on Aug 31, 2012 3:40 AM

I was having problems with my iPad2 home button not working, or more often, working erratically. I tried Ram4Kid's fix and it worked perfectly, first time! Give it a try. I don't know how, but it solved my problem. Thanks!

78 replies

Dec 25, 2013 4:50 PM in response to Maxplanar

I've just experienced the same problem. I would say that without question that it is a hardware problem with the switch, and that in some situations the switch is at fault. Why? Because the switch on my one seems to have two clicks. The first is, I think, the click on the case - this is the one that doesn't work. If I press a little harder, and toward the bottom of the button it works.


I suspect that the various ram4kids methods work because they help free up the button. Especially if the sticky point is on a particular part of the button. Try feeling around your button and find if there is a point that allows you that second click, and you may find your problem is solved. On mine I found a second "click" towards the bottom in the portrait mode, pressed it a few times and hey presto, problem gone. One trip to the Apple Store on Boxing Day saved!

Mar 18, 2014 12:00 PM in response to Maxplanar

I've also been hWTF? ng increasingly frequent problems with my home button on my iPad 2. I've never used a smart cover, or any cover with any magnetic parts. I tried ram4kid's solution. No joy. Tried landscape-portrait-landscape. No joy. Tried opening Notes and power button then home button. Nothing. Tried blowing in the power jack. Felt silly, but no luck. Tried using my fingernail to go around the edges of the home button. Got a response, but it's inconsistent. iPad is out of warranty, so I'm going with the accessibility option for now, but I'll keep trying these other possible fixes.

Jul 15, 2014 8:10 PM in response to Maxplanar

I might have a solution. I believe this helped my friend who had an iPad 3 having similar issues. Open any APPLE DEFAULT APP, calendar, safari, settings, etc, and hold the power button until the slide to power off screen shows. Now, hold the home button until the slide to power off screen goes away automatically, and the app that was open force-quits. I have tried it myself, just to see if the whole force-quit happens, and it does, although I have never tried it to fix my home button, as I have never had any issues with it. This is a software method that "recallibrates" (not sure of the spelling on that one) the home button I believe, or so I've heard.

iPad home button not working

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