Intermittent crossed-out bell symbol

While using my iPad ( the iPad 3, even thought thats not the official name) I see a crossed-out bell symbol appearing and disappearing intermittently. What does this mean and why is it happening? Sometimes it appears with a volume symbol underneath the bell then immediately changes to the crossed-out bell and goes away after a couple seconds. Couldn't find anything in the iPad users manual about this symbol.

Thanks for your help in finding out what this means and how to correct it.

iPad, iOS 5.1

Posted on Sep 8, 2012 1:03 PM

20 replies

E. Kennedy Author

Level 2

226 points

Sep 9, 2012 1:11 PM in response to Demo

it worked - for about 5 seconds! 😟

after that, it went back to locked rotation no matter which position the side switch was in. tried rebooting 2 more times, but then it wouldn't unlock even for those 5 seconds! 😟

btw, I noticed in settings there is an option called "reset" at the bottom of the settings section - will resetting all settings do anything to correct this? was afraid to try that because it requires entering my passcode and doesn't say what doing resetting all settings will do to my data.

thanks, again, for this and the info about the screenshots! 🙂

Demo

Level 10

166,747 points

Sep 9, 2012 1:29 PM in response to E. Kennedy

I was thought about suggesting that - Settings>General>Reset>Reset all settings .... But you will have to re enter all device settings, network settings, and so on. It may correct it, but I can't say for sure.

There should be no data loss - you should lose nothing at all. But ... I read a discussion the other day where one user made it (reset all settings) sound like it was like setting the iPad up all over again like it was new. I have never reset all settings, but I guess that it makes sense since you have to find your home WiFi network, enter the password, connect to the Internet and so on. The OP also mentioned that he was presented with 3 choices and those were restore from an iCloud backup, restore from an iTunes backup or to not restore at all. This didn't quite make sense to me since resetting all settings doesn't erase the device, but like I said, I have never tried it.

E. Kennedy Author

Level 2

226 points

Sep 9, 2012 2:02 PM in response to Demo

thanks for the info. don't think I want to do that if it isn't certain that doing so will correct the problem - it may be a hardware problem with the switch and not something that doing a reset can correct - so I made an appointment with a genius at the Apple Store for tomorrow...I'll keep this thread open and let you know what happens!

thanks, again, for all your help!!!!! much appreciated!!!! 🙂

Demo

Level 10

166,747 points

Sep 9, 2012 2:38 PM in response to E. Kennedy

You're welcome and Good Luck!

E. Kennedy Author

Level 2

226 points

Sep 10, 2012 4:47 PM in response to Demo

Took it to Apple Store today and a genius looked it over and diagnosed the problem as a malfunctioning side switch. He said it couldn't be repaired, so he replaced my iPad with a "new" I.e., refurbished, iPad, no charge, and I'm using it right now. No problem syncing all my stuff from my old one using iTunes on my iMac. When I got home, I realized I probably should have reformatted my old one before taking it in instead of just deleting my personal info from my mail accounts, twitter, etc....oh well, nothing incriminating on it anyway ;) lol. Hopefully, this replacement will last longer than the original. First Apple product I ever bought that had to be replaced, and I'm on my third Mac, plus I have an iPod touch, airport extreme and express, so guess that's not a bad track record!

Thanks again for your help! Just wish it had been something with the software instead of a hardware problem. Don't think I'll be using the side switch any more! ;) lol

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Intermittent crossed-out bell symbol