The most common reason for this is leaving the Apple Pencil unused for too long with an empty battery, which can damage it. Other reasons include the Pencil being exposed to cold temperatures or being dropped, both of which can hurt the battery’s health. Before you get started, make sure to remove any stickers or cases from the Apple Pencil. These can interfere with the magnetic charging function. Also, check if your iPad is compatible with your Apple Pencil—not every Apple Pencil can be charged with every iPad.
Before Troubleshooting: Check Compatibility & Charging Methods
Start by checking which Apple Pencil is compatible with your iPad.
Apple Pencil 1st Generation
The 1st Generation Apple Pencil is compatible with:
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)iPad Air (3rd generation)iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th generation)
You can charge it:
Directly through your iPad’s Lightning connectorUsing a USB-C to Apple Pencil adapter connected to a device or wall outlet
Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
The 2nd Generation Apple Pencil works with:
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)iPad Air (4th generation and later)
It can only be charged using the magnetic strip on the side of your iPad.
1. Force Restart the iPad
Sometimes, your iPad can’t charge the Apple Pencil because of a glitch between the charging modules. Force restarting your iPad can often fix this. If the problem is still there, try charging the Apple Pencil with a different device or a different method, like a wall charger or a power bank.
2. Remove the Apple Pencil from Bluetooth Devices
Every Apple Pencil keeps a small data profile to store its connection info. Sometimes, this gets messed up when connecting. Removing the Apple Pencil from the iPad’s Bluetooth settings and then pairing it again can help fix this. Keep in mind: If the pencil’s battery is completely dead, you won’t be able to pair it again until it has a bit of charge.
3. Charge the Apple Pencil While Charging the iPad
Occasionally, a glitch in the iPad’s power module can stop it from charging your Apple Pencil. Try charging your Apple Pencil while your iPad is also plugged in.
4. Update the iPad OS (Especially for Beta Users)
If you’re using a beta version of iPadOS, we recommend updating to the latest release as soon as possible. Beta versions are known to have bugs, and the issue you’re facing could already be fixed in the newest update.
5. Enable USB Accessories in the iPad Settings
Your Apple Pencil won’t charge if the “USB Accessories” setting is disabled on your iPad, especially for older Apple Pencils that charge via the port. If this setting is off, your pencil won’t charge unless your iPad is unlocked.
6. Warm and Clean the Apple Pencil
Charging issues with Apple devices can also occur if the charging pins are dirty—or if the pencil is too cold. Warming your pencil and cleaning the pins might solve the problem. If the battery is extremely low, warming it can help jump-start the charging process. If one try doesn’t work, you can repeat the steps but keep the pencil warming for up to a minute (never much longer).
7. Reset the iPad to Factory Defaults
A faulty or incomplete iPadOS installation can sometimes cause charging issues. In this case, resetting your iPad to its factory settings may help. Before you do this, make sure to back up your iPad and charge it fully. To check if the issue is with your iPad and not the Apple Pencil, try charging your Pencil with another iPad or a wall adapter. If it charges fine elsewhere, your iPad’s system may be the problem. If none of these steps work, you may need to get a new Apple Pencil or have the faulty one repaired through the Apple Store. It’s always a good idea to keep your Apple Pencil charged—even when you’re not using it—to prevent it from becoming fully drained. Apple Support Specialists also recommend this tip.
