Apple Pencil Pro Not Connecting or Not Working? Here's the Ultimate Fix Guide
If you’re experiencing issues with your Apple Pencil Pro not connecting or finding your Apple Pencil Pro not working, you’re not alone. Apple’s latest stylus, the Apple Pencil Pro, offers a host of advanced features like haptic feedback, barrel roll, and a new squeeze function—but like any technology, it can sometimes go wrong. Whether you're an artist, a student, or a professional relying on your Apple Pencil Pro for productivity, a malfunction can be a major disruption.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through all the reasons why your Apple Pencil Pro might not be working, and provide step-by-step solutions to get it back in action. This article is specifically tailored to cover:
- Apple Pencil Pro not connecting
- Apple Pencil Pro not working on iPad
- Compatibility and settings issues
- Battery and charging problems
- Hardware failures and warranty options
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
2. Why Your Apple Pencil Pro Is Not Connecting
3. Troubleshooting Apple Pencil Pro Not Working
4. Check Compatibility and iPadOS Version
5. How to Reset and Reconnect Apple Pencil Pro
6. Battery, Charging, and Bluetooth Problems
7. Fixing Apple Pencil Pro Not Responding in Apps
8. When to Contact Apple Support
9. Prevent Future Issues with Apple Pencil Pro
10. Final Thoughts
Apple Pencil Pro Overview
The Apple Pencil Pro is Apple’s most advanced stylus to date, released alongside the 2024 iPad Pro M4 models. It offers features like:
- Haptic Feedback: Gives tactile response during interaction.
- Squeeze Gesture: New customizable input by squeezing the Pencil.
- Barrel Roll: Allows artists to rotate the stylus and control brush angles.
- Hover Support: Allows previewing strokes without touching the screen.
But despite these enhancements, many users have reported that their Apple Pencil Pro is not connecting or suddenly stops working.
Why Your Apple Pencil Pro Is Not Connecting
There are several reasons your Apple Pencil Pro may not connect to your iPad:
1. Bluetooth Is Off: The Pencil relies on Bluetooth for communication.
2. iPad Incompatibility: Only the latest iPads support the Pro model.
3. Outdated iPadOS: An old version of iPadOS might not support Apple Pencil Pro.
4. Connection Bugs: Pairing glitches can prevent a stable connection.
5. Battery Drain: The Pencil may be fully discharged.
6. Hardware Defects: In rare cases, the stylus or iPad may have a hardware issue.
Troubleshooting Apple Pencil Pro Not Working
Let’s go through a detailed troubleshooting process. Start with the simplest checks and move toward advanced fixes.
1. Check if Bluetooth Is On
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- See if Apple Pencil Pro appears under “My Devices.”
If not, move to the next step.
2. Restart Your iPad
Restarting clears temporary glitches:
- Press and hold the Power + Volume buttons.
- Slide to power off.
- Wait 30 seconds, then turn your iPad back on.
Once restarted, try reconnecting your Apple Pencil Pro.
3. Reconnect Apple Pencil Pro
- Detach the Apple Pencil Pro from the magnetic strip.
- Reattach it on the right edge of the iPad (landscape mode).
- You should see a pop-up to pair it. Tap Connect.
If this doesn’t appear, go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap “Forget This Device” under Apple Pencil, then retry.
Check Compatibility and iPadOS Version
The Apple Pencil Pro only works with:
- 2024 iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
- 2024 iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
And requires iPadOS 17.5 or later.
To check your iPad model:
- Go to Settings > General > About.
To update iPadOS:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If your iPad is older or incompatible, the Pencil simply won’t connect or work.
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How to Reset and Reconnect Apple Pencil Pro
If your Apple Pencil Pro is not working, try a hard reset:
Steps to Reset:
1. Remove the Pencil from iPad.
2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
3. Tap the (i) icon beside Apple Pencil and select Forget This Device.
4. Restart your iPad.
5. Attach Apple Pencil Pro again to re-pair it.
This often solves issues like:
- Apple Pencil Pro not responding to touch
- Squeeze or barrel roll not registering
- Hover support not activating
Battery, Charging, and Bluetooth Problems
Sometimes, the Pencil simply isn't charged—or the iPad isn’t charging it properly.
Check Battery Status:
- Attach the Pencil Pro to your iPad.
- A pop-up should show the battery percentage.
Or go to Settings > Apple Pencil, where battery info is displayed.
If it shows 0% or nothing:
- Ensure your iPad is not low on battery.
- Try gently adjusting the Pencil on the magnetic strip.
- Clean the edges of the Pencil and the iPad’s side with a microfiber cloth.
Fix Bluetooth Issues:
- Toggle Bluetooth off and on in Settings.
- Turn on Airplane Mode for 10 seconds, then disable it.
Still not working? Try another iPad Pro M4 (if available) to test whether the Pencil itself is defective.
Fixing Apple Pencil Pro Not Responding in Apps
Sometimes the Pencil works with the system UI but doesn’t function in specific apps.
Solutions:
- Update the App: Go to App Store > Your Profile > Update All.
- Check App Settings: Some drawing apps have their own Pencil settings.
- Reset App Permissions: Go to Settings > [App] and reset stylus access if available.
- Reinstall the App: Delete and reinstall the app to clear bugs.
When to Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps and the Apple Pencil Pro still isn't working, you may be dealing with:
- A defective stylus
- Hardware failure in the iPad's magnetic connector
- Internal Pencil firmware errors
You can contact Apple through:
- Apple Support App
- support.apple.com
- Visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider
The Apple Pencil Pro is covered by 1-year limited warranty, and AppleCare+ may extend this.
Prevent Future Issues with Apple Pencil Pro
1. Always update iPadOS for bug fixes.
2. Avoid extreme heat or cold, which can harm battery and sensors.
3. Store the Pencil on the iPad to keep it charged.
4. Don’t use third-party accessories that could interfere with pairing or charging.
5. Clean the iPad’s magnetic connector regularly.
Final Thoughts
The Apple Pencil Pro not connecting or not working can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you depend on it for creative or professional tasks. However, with the right steps—checking compatibility, charging, resetting connections, and updating iPadOS—you can usually fix the issue yourself.
If none of these solutions work, contacting Apple support is your best bet to rule out hardware damage.
Have you experienced any unique fixes or symptoms with your Apple Pencil Pro? Share them in the comments below to help others in the Apple community.