Apple Pencil Not Working? Try these methods

Some users have been experiencing issues with their Apple Pencil where it stops working even though it is connected via Bluetooth. As it turns out, more often than not, this can usually be associated with a loosened nib due to which when you try to interact with your iPad using the Apple Pencil, none of the interactions register. However, that may not always be the case as there are some other factors as well that might come into play. In this article, we are going to show you how to get rid of the problem in question so just follow through.

As it turns out, Apple products are known to work out of the box without any configurations needed. However, when this venture is hindered by something, the overall experience can become quite troublesome. There are not many reasons why your Apple Pencil may not be working on your iPad and, in the worst-case scenario, the problem can be originating due to a hardware malfunction in which case, there isn’t much you can do except take it to a nearby Apple shop. In addition to that, the problem can also occur due to a Bluetooth connectivity issue as well.

With that said, there is a good chance that the problem is occurring due to a simple connection issue that you can resolve quite easily. Therefore, let us get started with the different methods that you can use in order to get around the issue in discussion.

Before we begin, make sure that your Apple Pencil is charged and that the issue is not due to an insufficient charge. In case your pencil is fully charged and you are still encountering the issue, you can follow through with the methods down below. 

Tighten the Nib

The first thing that you should do when you encounter the problem mentioned above is to make sure that your pencil’s nib is not loosened. As it turns out, Apple Pencils have a nib that is responsible for transferring the touch to your iPad. In some cases, the nibs can get loose over time due to which the pencil is not able to transfer the touch to your iPad properly even though it is connected.

When this happens, you will have to tighten the tip of your Apple Pencil to see if that resolves the issue. We would recommend removing the nib completely first and then putting it back on. Once you have made sure that the nib is completely tightened and the problem still persists, you can proceed further. 

Manually Enable Bluetooth

As it turns out, according to some user reports, the problem was occurring when users would use the quick pop up to enable Bluetooth in order to connect their pencil. Upon trying to enable Bluetooth manually via the Settings menu, the issue seemed to go away and they were able to use their Apple Pencil without any issues. Therefore, you should try the same process to see if that nets you any results. To do this, follow the instructions given down below:

1. First of all, open up the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Then, make your way to Bluetooth and disable it.

   

3. With that done, go ahead and plug in your Apple Pencil. 
4. After plugging in your pencil, quickly go back into Settings and turn on Bluetooth. Do not use the pop up to enable Bluetooth.
5. Once you have done that, wait for your iPad to recognize the Apple Pencil.
6. See if that resolves the problem for you. If this doesn’t work on the first try, give it a couple of shots. In case of no success, move on forward to the next method. 

Perform a Hard Reset

Another way that you can possibly fix the problem in question is by performing a hard reset. A hard reset essentially restarts your device forcefully instead of the typical process. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about losing any of your data as none of that will be erased. 

Once you have performed a hard reset, you will be re-pairing your Apple Pencil with your iPad and, hopefully, that should isolate the issue for you. To do this, follow the instructions given down below:

1. To start off, press and release the volume up button.
2. After that, immediately press and release the volume down button. 
3. Once you have done that, press and hold down the Power button on your device. Keep holding down the Power button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

   

4. After the Apple logo appears on the screen, you can let go of the Power button.
5. Now, wait for your device to restart. 
6. Once your iPad boots up again, open up the Settings app.
7. There, tap the Bluetooth option.

   

8. Choose your Apple Pencil and then press the Forget This Device option.

   

9. With that done, insert your Apple Pencil into your iPad and pair it again.
10. Once you have paired the pencil again, check if the Apple Pencil is working now. 

Change Pencil Tip

In case none of the above methods has fixed the problem for you, then it is very likely that the tip of your Apple Pencil might have depleted and needs to be replaced. The tip can wear off with usage and, eventually, you will have to replace the used up tip of your pencil in order to get your pencil to work again. 

With a depleted tip, the touch interactions won’t be communicated to your iPad properly and as a result, the pencil won’t work. You can easily replace the tip of your Apple Pencil at the nearest Apple shop. 

Finally, if the problem doesn’t go away even after changing the tip of your pencil, it is very likely that the problem is being caused due to a hardware malfunction. As such, you will have to reach out to a nearby Apple shop and have them look at it.