Apple Pencil is an excellent accessory that pairs with iPads and works seamlessly with different apps, but there might be times when it stops working. Fortunately, there are a few ways to fix an Apple Pencil. To recall, Apple released the first version of the device in 2015 and the second version arrived in 2018. Both of these come with palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, and low latency, making them ideal for digital artists and creators.
While the Apple Pencil (1st generation) is compatible with iPads launched before 2018 and a few afterward including the iPad Air (9th Gen) and iPad Mini (5th generation), the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) is compatible with the latest iPad Pro, iPad Mini (6th generation) and iPad Air (5th generation). Some features like touch gestures and inductive charging are exclusive to Apple Pencil (2nd generation). While the older version is available to buy for $99, the newer one costs $129.
An Apple Pencil can stop working for various reasons, including a discharged battery, loose nib, a faulty connection, compatibility issues, or an iPad glitch. In most of these situations, however, users can fix the problem. For example, if an Apple Pencil stops working, users should try to charge it as the device may have simply ran out of power. For owners of Apple Pencil (1st generation), charging requires the device to be plugged into the iPad. In contrast, the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) charges by magnetically attaching to the side of the iPad. After letting the Apple Pencil charge for a few minutes to see if it comes back to life, the next best option is to check the nib. Apple Pencil comes with a removable nib that can wear down with time and usage. Due to this, it is worth checking if the nib has come loose. If it has, tightening it should resolve the problem.
You May Need To Re-pair The Apple Pencil
If the Apple Pencil is still not working, users can check whether the device is actually connected to the iPad through the Bluetooth settings. If the Apple Pencil has somehow disconnected and does not show up in the menu, re-paring it is likely to fix the issue. Those who own the Apple Pencil (1st generation) should be able to pair it again by plugging it into the iPad's charging port, while the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) should be attached to the side of the iPad. Once the connection has been re-established, the device should work fine. If not, it could actually be the iPad that's causing the problem. In this instance, rebooting the tablet should restore the system resources to their default values, hopefully fixing the Apple Pencil problem in the process.
If none of the methods mentioned above fix the issue, there are two final options to consider. First, if trying to use the Apple Pencil for the first time, then it might be worth checking its compatibility with the iPad. While this won't be the problem if both were purchased at the same time from an Apple Store, it could be an issue that was overlooked when buying online or from a third-party. If the models aren't compatible, try getting a replacement. If the iPad and Apple Pencil are designed to work together, then contacting Apple Support is the final option.
Source: Apple