Apple Pencil Not Working

If your Apple Pencil stopped writing, a quick re-pair plus a solid charge fixes most cases in under 10 minutes.

When a Pencil stops writing, it usually comes down to three things: power, pairing, or a setting that blocks input. The fastest path is to confirm your Pencil model, give it a clean charge, then force a fresh connection to the iPad so the fix usually sticks.

This guide walks you through a no-drama sequence that works for Apple Pencil (1st generation), Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Apple Pencil (USB-C), and Apple Pencil Pro. You’ll also see what to check when it connects but won’t write.

Start with the basics that catch the most common misses. These checks take two minutes and save you from chasing deeper fixes you don’t need.

Confirm iPad and Pencil match — Apple Pencil models aren’t interchangeable, so verify your iPad works with your Pencil before anything else.
Charge for a full 60 seconds — Even if the battery widget shows something, give the Pencil a minute on its charger point to wake the battery.
Restart the iPad — A restart clears stuck Bluetooth sessions and resets input services without touching your data.
Remove bulky cases — Thick cases and metal folios can break magnetic alignment or block a USB-C cable from seating fully.
Try a different app — Notes is a clean test. If it works there, the issue is likely app-specific settings.

If you’re not sure which Pencil you have, check the charging end. A Lightning plug under a cap points to 1st generation. A sliding end with USB-C points to Apple Pencil (USB-C). A flat side that snaps to the iPad edge points to 2nd generation or Pro.

If you want a quick map from symptom to first move, use the table below. Keep it simple and change one thing at a time so you know what fixed it.

What You See	What It Often Means	First Fix To Try
Pencil won’t connect at all	Bluetooth session is stuck	Forget the Pencil, restart iPad, pair again
Connected, but no writing	Tip, app, or screen input issue	Tighten tip, test Notes, check protector edge lift
Pairs, then drops quickly	Low charge or weak contact	Charge longer, reseat magnet or cable, clean contact areas
Battery shows 0% or missing	Not charging or not paired	Charge 5–10 minutes, then pair again

Apple Pencil Stops Working After An Update

Updates can refresh Bluetooth, handwriting, and accessory services. Most of the time, the Pencil is fine and the iPad just needs a clean handshake again.

Run this sequence in order. Stop as soon as it works.

Toggle Bluetooth off and on — Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, switch it off, wait 10 seconds, then switch it back on.
Forget and re-pair the Pencil — In Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to Apple Pencil, then tap Forget This Device and pair again.
Restart after forgetting — Restarting right after you forget the device clears cached pairing entries that can block a fresh pair.
Check for another iPadOS update — If the update was interrupted or staged, installing the remaining patch often clears accessory bugs.
Verify Apple Pencil settings — In Settings, look for Apple Pencil options like Scribble, double-tap actions, or squeeze settings if your model has them.

If the Pair prompt never appears, keep the Pencil connected and wait a minute while it charges, then try again. That short wait is a common fix when the battery is too low to negotiate pairing.

Pairing And Bluetooth Fixes That Usually Work

Pairing is where most failures live. A Pencil can show up in Bluetooth yet still act dead if the connection is partial or stale. The fix is to remove the old link, then create a new one with a solid charge connection.

Clean re-pair for any Apple Pencil

Open Bluetooth settings — Go to Settings > Bluetooth and keep the page open while you work.
Forget the existing Pencil entry — If you see Apple Pencil under My Devices, tap the info icon and forget it.
Restart the iPad — Restart, then sign in, then return to Settings > Bluetooth.
Pair using the right method — Connect or attach the Pencil the way your model requires so the Pair prompt can appear.

Pairing method by model

Apple Pencil Pro or 2nd generation — Attach it centered on the magnetic connector on the long edge of the iPad and wait for the pairing card.
Apple Pencil (USB-C) — Slide open the end, connect it to a USB-C cable, then plug that cable into the iPad and tap Tap to Connect.
Apple Pencil 1st generation on Lightning iPads — Remove the cap, plug the Pencil into the iPad’s Lightning port, then tap Pair.
Apple Pencil 1st generation on USB-C iPads — Use the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter, connect the Pencil to the adapter, then connect the iPad with a USB-C cable and pair.

If it still won’t pair

Wait while it charges — Keep it connected for one full minute, then watch for the Pair prompt again.
Turn Airplane Mode on, then off — This resets wireless radios fast, then Bluetooth comes back clean.
Reset network settings — In Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset, tap Reset Network Settings, then try pairing again.

If the Pencil pairs and still won’t write, don’t assume Bluetooth is the whole story. Move to power checks next, then to tip and screen checks. Those steps catch “connected but dead” cases.

Charging And Power Checks By Apple Pencil Model

Low power can look like a pairing bug. The iPad may show the Pencil name, then the Pencil drops, lags, or stops mid-stroke. A short charge usually brings it back.

Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

These charge when attached to the magnetic connector. Alignment matters. If it’s off by a few millimeters, it may sit there without charging.

Reseat the Pencil — Lift it off and reattach it, then slide it until it “snaps” into the charging spot.
Leave it attached for 5 minutes — Give the battery time to come back before you try pairing again.
Check Bluetooth is on — If Bluetooth is off, the iPad can’t pair and the battery widget won’t update.

Apple Pencil (USB-C)

This model pairs and charges through a USB-C charge cable, and it can also charge from a power adapter. If it stores magnetically but won’t charge, use the cable to remove doubt.

Open the sliding end — Expose the USB-C connector and check for lint or a bent pin.
Use a known-good cable — Try the iPad’s own USB-C cable first, then a second cable if you have one.
Plug directly into the iPad — Pairing is most reliable when the Pencil is cabled to the iPad, not a hub.

Apple Pencil (1st generation)

Charging depends on your iPad port. On Lightning iPads, the Pencil plugs in directly. On newer USB-C iPads, it charges through an adapter and cable.

Inspect the connector — Wipe the metal contact gently with a dry, clean cloth.
Charge longer if it was empty — A Pencil that sat for weeks may need 10–15 minutes before it shows life.
Try pairing again after charging — Keep the Pencil connected and watch for the Pair prompt.

If the battery never appears in the Batteries widget even after charging and pairing attempts, test the Pencil on another compatible iPad if you can. That single check tells you whether the Pencil or the iPad is the bottleneck.

Tip, Screen, And App Settings That Block Writing

A Pencil can be paired and charged and still refuse to draw. When that happens, it’s often a simple physical issue at the tip, or a setting that changes how the iPad reads stylus input.

Check the tip first

The nib is a consumable part. If it’s loose, worn, or cracked, the Pencil may connect but won’t register strokes.

Tighten the tip — Unscrew and screw it back on until it’s snug, then test again.
Swap in a spare tip — If you have one, replacing the tip is a fast way to rule out a dead nib.
Clean the tip and screen — Skin oils can build up. A dry microfiber cloth often improves contact.

Rule out a screen protector or case edge

Some matte protectors add drag and can cause skips, while lifted corners can block touches near the edge. If the Pencil works in the center but fails at the edges, that’s a strong clue.

Test without a protector — If you can, remove it and test in Notes for a minute.
Check edge lift — Press along the border and watch for spots that bubble or lift.
Remove magnetic accessories — Folios with magnets can interfere with alignment and sometimes with touch behavior.

Check iPad settings that change stylus behavior

Most settings won’t disable the Pencil outright, but a few can make it feel broken in certain apps. If strokes lag or skip, these switches are worth a quick test.

Turn off Zoom temporarily — In Settings > Accessibility > Zoom, switch it off and test again.
Try with Scribble off — In Settings > Apple Pencil, toggle Scribble and test handwriting fields.
Check app drawing modes — Many art apps have a “pen only” or “gesture” toggle that can block strokes until it’s switched back.

If the Pencil only fails in one app, reinstalling that app is often faster than digging through each toggle. Test Notes first so you have a clean baseline.

When It’s Likely Hardware And What To Do Next

After you’ve charged, re-paired, and ruled out tips and settings, you’re left with two suspects: the Pencil hardware or the iPad hardware. A few checks can narrow it down without guesswork.

Test on another compatible iPad — If the Pencil works there, your iPad’s Bluetooth or charging contact may be the issue.
Test another Pencil on your iPad — If a second Pencil fails the same way, your iPad is the likely culprit.
Inspect for bends and cracks — A Pencil that’s been dropped can crack near the tip or connector and still look normal at a glance.
Check for heat or liquid exposure — If it got wet or baked in a car, battery damage is possible even if the outside looks fine.
Book service if it won’t hold a charge — A Pencil that pairs only while connected, then dies off the charger, often needs repair or replacement.

If you’ve reached this point and your apple pencil not working problem is still there, collect what you observed: your Pencil model, iPad model, what pairing steps you tried, and whether the battery ever showed. That short list speeds up troubleshooting at a store or repair desk.

One last note: if your apple pencil not working issue started after switching iPads, double-check compatibility for your exact iPad generation. A Pencil can’t pair to an iPad it doesn’t match, even if it charges or attaches.