black ipad screen wont turn on

WOW the three taps worked !!! wish i wouldve done it before i restored it and lost all my info and apps

Wow Stanjman! We had tried everything, restore, reboot, etc... saw your post and thought it was joke, but dang... it worked perfectly!!!! You've put a lot of smiles on a lot peoples faces! lol

When I used to work on Macs 20 years ago, every time there's a problem with the computer, one of the first things we used to do was give it a hard smack, and always seem to work. When my iPad refused to 'wake up' last night, I gave it a good smack, nothing happened. After trying for 30min, I made an appt with Apple and was taking it in tomorrow (first appt I can get). Then, figured I'd to do a little more searching on the Apple site and see what else I can find, I came across this post. Well, after reading all the success stories with hitting it on the back, I figured what the heck, I have Square Trade insurance, but would rather have the iPad working again. So, I gave a multiple 'hits', and nothing. I did try holding the Home button and Start button together many times, and it didn't work either. But after I hit it over and over multiple times, I tried holding the two buttons down again, and sure enough, the unit started up. So thanks to you all for posting and so glad I didn't have to replace my iPad and saved me a trip to the Apple store!

I can't believe this actually worked! I thought my iPad was toast. None of the recommended stuff worked. Then I whacked it three times and it started up - finally.

The fact that it does work is a little worrisome to me. It really shouldn't. You have to wonder if something is loose inside. The only thing I can think of that might potentially be fixed by a good whack is the accelerometer. If that was somehow stuck and interfering, then maybe this isn't a big deal. Otherwise, this is pretty strange.

JohnnyG321 wrote:

You have to wonder if something is loose inside. The only thing I can think of that might potentially be fixed by a good whack is the accelerometer.

There are various very small ribbon cables/connectors inside. The force required to engage the connectors (for example, ribbon cable to a socket on a logic board) to each other can be very low. I've dealt with these types of connectors in my industry and they can be quite fragile and extremely small. These devices were never really engineered for robustness nor were they meant to be dropped at all. It's quite fortunate that a blow (or three) will sometimes cause them to re-connect/seat but as you've stated, the fact that it's loose (due to size, fragility, or whatever) in the first place can be disheartening.

This is insane for a piece of high-end tech, BUT IT WORKED!!! It took 7-8 hard whacks on the back BUT IT WORKED!!! I'm still in disbelief! Glad I found this thread Stanjman. Thanks!

APPLE TECHNICIANS: Please explain why hitting my ipad on the back made the screen come back on - and - what do you suggest I do now? Quickly take it to an Apple Store before the screen blanks out again or what?? Thanks

I tried the 3 whacks and still black. Anybody responded with other help yet?

After I hit it on the back multiple times, then holding the 'Apple Home Button' and 'Start button' down again (like a forced restart), and sure enough, the unit started up. This is the second time it's worked for me. So hope it'll work for you too.

i cant believe the people out there u have helped stanjman. this post was 2013 but its still working in 2015 lol. i just gave mine about 5 whacks and voala!!!!!!! this really works.

HEy gab88! Sometomes it happens after charging or something else.jusy hold down the home button and power button togather for 7 or 8 seconds then you will see a white apple logo on ipads screen than unhold the buttons and your ipad will start.

You are a genius!!!!! Thanks

Wow! This really worked! Thought my ipad was broken! Thanks for the great advice!

Thank you so much!!! I was getting ready to trash my ipad this really works. I am an apple geek & can not live without my products. Thank you!!!!

MAn now can u give me some points

hilarious....this worked for mine to start up again! thanks for the suggestion! lol!