Do you have an Apple Pencil and have been having issues with it connecting? Are you looking for the best fixes for the Apple Pencil not connecting?
Well, I have been researching this topic and have found several potential fixes you can try, so keep reading this article to learn more!
Why Isn’t My Apple Pencil Connecting in 2025?
If the Apple Pencil isn’t connecting, you can try to restart your iPad since rebooting can fix a lot of common tech problems with the Apple Pencil. Make sure the Apple Pencil is compatible with your iPad. Also, make sure the Apple Pencil and iPad are charged and have battery life could fix the problem in 2025.
Are you looking for even more fixes for your Apple Pencil not connecting? If so, don’t stop reading because I have even more potential solutions for you below!
1. Restart Your iPad
If your Apple Pencil isn’t connecting, one of the easiest fixes is to restart your iPad. Doing so can fix many issues you might be having with your Apple Pencil.
In addition, rebooting your iPad can fix performance problems, so it’s advisable to reboot regularly for optimal performance.
2. Ensure the Apple Pencil Is Compatible With Your iPad
One possible fix for Apple Pencil not connecting is to go back and make sure you’re using the correct Pencil for the iPad model you have, as there could be a compatibility issue.
For example, the first-generation Apple Pencil will only work with the following iPad models:
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Mini (5th generation)
- iPad (6th generation and newer)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (both 1st and 2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch
Additionally, the second-generation Apple Pencil will only work with the following iPad models:
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and newer)
- iPad Mini (6th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and newer)
- iPad Air (4th generation and newer)
3. Turn Bluetooth Off and Back On
If your Apple Pencil isn’t connecting, you can try to turn your Bluetooth off and back on to see if that fixes the issue since a glitch or bug could be the problem.
Also, it’s simple to turn your Bluetooth off and back on by following the steps below:
- Go into your iPad “Settings”
- Select “Bluetooth”
- Toggle the Bluetooth option off
- Wait 30 seconds
- Turn Bluetooth back on
- See if your Apple Pencil connects
In addition, you can go into the “Control Center” and select “Bluetooth” to turn it off, wait 20 seconds, and then tap it to turn it back on if you don’t want to go into the “Settings.”
4. Charge Your Apple Pencil
Sometimes your Apple Pencil won’t connect because the battery is too low or dead, so try to charge the Apple Pencil to see if that fixes the issue.
However, if you know your Apple Pencil battery is dead or drained, wait at least 30 or 40 minutes before you try to connect it, as a dead battery is going to take longer to begin charging.
5. Unpair and Pair Your Apple Pencil Again
If you’ve noticed your Apple Pencil isn’t connecting, try to unpair the Apple Pencil from your iPad and pair it again to see if that works, which can be done by following the steps below:
- Go into the “Settings” on your iPad
- Select the “Bluetooth” option
- Find the Apple Pencil and select the (i) button
- Select “Forget This Device”
- Select “Forget Device”
- Try to pair the Apple Pencil again and it should work
6. Reset Your iPad Network Settings
You can try to reset your iPad network settings to see if that’ll fix the issues with the Apple Pencil not connecting, which is easy to do if you follow our guide below:
- Go to the “Settings” on your iPad
- Select “General”
- Select “Reset”
- Go into “Reset Network Settings”
- Click on “Reset Network Settings” to confirm
- The iPad will reboot, and once you’ve done this, enter your Wi-Fi password and try to reconnect your Apple Pencil
7. Reset Your iPad
You can try to reset your iPad if your Apple Pencil isn’t connecting, which is done just by holding down one of the volume buttons and the top button at the same time.
Furthermore, hold them down until your iPad screen turns off, and then release the buttons once you see the Apple logo. Now, try to connect your Apple Pencil again.
8. Clean the Charging Ports & iPad
You can clean the iPad and charging ports to see if that fixes the issue with Apple Pencil not connecting, but use a clean microfiber cloth for this process.
Also, make sure you’ve cleaned the lightning connector port if you have one or the edge where you’d connect the Apple Pencil, and then try to connect the Apple Pencil again.
9. Make Sure Your iPad Is Charged
If your iPad battery is low, it might cause issues with your Apple Pencil connecting to it properly.
Therefore, check the iPad battery life and plug it in to charge if it’s below 30% to see if that helps.
To know more, you can also read our posts on whether the Apple Pencil is worth it, why the Apple Pencil is not writing, and why the Apple Pencil is not charging.
Conclusion
If your Apple Pencil isn’t connecting, try to restart your iPad, and if that doesn’t work, toggle the Bluetooth off and back on to see if it’ll pair.
Additionally, you can try to clean the charging ports on both the Apple Pencil and iPad, and also wipe down both devices to see if debris or dirt was causing the problem.