When an Apple Pencil won’t draw, check pairing, charge, tip, app input settings, and iPad compatibility first.
Quick Answer And Why It Happens
When Apple Pencil input stops, the root usually falls into five buckets: no charge, not paired, worn tip, wrong app setting, or a mismatch between Pencil model and iPad. The good news: you can clear most issues at home in minutes. Start with power and pairing, then move to hardware checks and app controls.
Apple Pencil Won’t Draw On iPad: Fast Checks
Run this checklist top to bottom. After each step, test in Notes with a blank sketch to confirm progress.
| Issue | What You See | What To Try |
|---|---|---|
| Dead battery | No stroke in any app | Attach to the side (2nd/Pro) or plug in (USB-C/1st) for 10 minutes, then test |
| Not paired | Works once, then stops | Forget in Bluetooth, then re-pair; keep iPad unlocked |
| Wrong Pencil model | Pairs or charges, but no lines | Confirm your iPad matches your Pencil generation |
| Worn or loose tip | Skipping, broken lines | Tighten the tip; swap a new tip if wear is visible |
| Scribble or touch conflict | Handwriting instead of strokes | Turn off Scribble for the test; enable “only draw with Apple Pencil” where offered |
| App not in a draw mode | Cursor, text tool, or pan | Select a brush/pen; reset the tool palette |
| Screen protector friction | Drag feels rough | Clean the screen; test without the protector if possible |
| Bluetooth glitch | Lag or no response | Toggle Bluetooth off/on; reboot iPad |
Step-By-Step: Power, Pairing, And Basics
Charge The Pencil Correctly
Attach a 2nd-gen or Pro model to the magnetic edge until the charge banner appears. Plug a USB-C Pencil into the iPad’s USB-C port directly. A 1st-gen model charges through Lightning or with Apple’s adapter on USB-C iPads. Give it at least ten minutes before testing a stroke.
Re-Pair From A Clean Slate
Open Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to Apple Pencil, and tap Forget. Now pair the right way: snap a 2nd-gen or Pro to the side, or plug a USB-C/1st-gen into the port. Keep the iPad awake and tap Pair on the prompt. If Pair does not show, keep it connected for a minute, then try again.
Test In Notes
Open Notes, start a new sketch, pick a pen, and try a line. If Notes works, the issue sits with a specific app or project. If Notes still fails, keep working down the list below.
Compatibility: Pencil Model Vs. iPad Model
The Pencil must match the iPad family. A mismatched pair can pair or even charge yet still refuse to draw. Check the combo before you chase app settings.
Apple’s compatibility page lists which iPad generations work with each Pencil version. If your iPad sits outside that list, drawing won’t register, even if pairing or charging seems fine.
Fix Strokes That Skip Or Break
Tighten Or Replace The Tip
A loose tip causes intermittent contact. Twist clockwise until snug. If the tip looks shiny, thin, or feels scratchy, swap it. Most creators replace a tip every few months under steady use.
Clean The Screen
Oils and dust raise friction. Wipe with a soft cloth. If you use a matte protector, test a few lines without it to check for drag.
Stop Conflicts With Touch And Scribble
Turn Off Scribble During Troubleshooting
Scribble converts handwriting to text. That can steal focus in text fields. Go to Settings > Apple Pencil and toggle Scribble off for the test. You can turn it back on later.
Limit Touch To The Pencil
In Notes, use the “Draw with Finger” toggle to set how touch behaves. Many art apps include a “Pencil only” mode or palm-reject tweaks. Turn those on while you test.
App-Specific Checks That Save Time
Every drawing app ships its own tool palette and gesture map. If the Pencil moves the canvas instead of painting, you’re likely in a pan tool. Pick a brush and verify brush size, opacity, and smoothing. Reset the workspace or tool preset if the stroke still fails.
Model-Specific Pair And Charge Guide
| Pencil | How To Pair | How To Charge |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-gen | Attach to the magnetic side; tap Pair | Magnetic side charging |
| USB-C | Plug straight into iPad USB-C; tap Pair | Plug into the iPad USB-C port |
| 1st-gen | Plug into Lightning or use Apple adapter on USB-C iPad | Charge via Lightning or adapter |
| Pro | Attach to the magnetic side; tap Pair | Magnetic side charging |
Reset Bluetooth And iPad Safely
Cycle Bluetooth
Swipe down Control Center, turn Bluetooth off, wait ten seconds, then turn it on. Re-pair the Pencil and test a line in Notes.
Reboot iPadOS
Minor stack glitches can block input. Restart the iPad, unlock, and test again before moving forward.
When The Pencil Pairs But Still Won’t Draw
Check For A Damaged Transducer
A hard drop onto the tip can damage the pressure sensor under the tip. The Pencil may still charge and pair yet fail to draw. If new tips do not help and Notes still shows nothing, book a hardware check.
Keep It Working: Care Tips
Store It On The iPad
The magnetic rail keeps a 2nd-gen or Pro topped up and ready. For the USB-C and 1st-gen models, keep a short cable and cap or adapter in your kit so you can charge during a session.
Avoid Over-tightening
Snug beats tight. Over-torque can wear the threads in the tip or barrel.
Watch Battery Level
Add the Batteries widget on iPad. A near-empty Pencil can still pair but may fail to lay down lines.
Full Fix Sequence You Can Run End To End
- Charge the Pencil for ten minutes.
- Forget the Pencil in Bluetooth and re-pair the correct way.
- Test a fresh sketch in Notes with a pen tool selected.
- Tighten or replace the tip; clean the screen.
- Turn off Scribble and enable Pencil-only input where available.
- Cycle Bluetooth and restart the iPad.
- Verify the Pencil and iPad are a supported combo with Apple’s chart.
- If pairing works yet no stroke appears in Notes, seek a hardware evaluation.
Helpful Apple Links
For official steps, see Apple’s guides on pairing and charging and the full compatibility list. Both pages cover models, pairing prompts, and battery checks.