iPad Home Button Not Working? Complete Fix Guide

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A frustrated mum came in last week. Her son's iPad home button had stopped clicking - he'd been mashing it to get back to the home screen, getting more and more annoyed. She was dreading the cost. Five minutes later, I'd enabled AssistiveTouch and showed him the virtual button. Problem solved, no charge.

Home button issues are common on older iPads, and they range from minor annoyances to completely non-functional buttons. The good news: about 30% are software issues or just need a good clean. The rest need repair, but there's always the AssistiveTouch workaround to keep you going.

Did You Know?

Newer iPads don't have home buttons: If you have an iPad Pro (2018+), iPad Air (4th gen+), or iPad mini (6th gen+), you don't have a physical home button. This guide is for older iPads with the round button below the screen.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before assuming hardware failure, try these software fixes:

1. Restart your iPad - Hold the power button, slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on. Sometimes that's all it takes.
2. Remove your case - Some cases, especially thick or poorly-fitted ones, can interfere with the home button. Try without the case.
3. Check for debris - Look closely around the button edge. Crumbs, lint, or sticky residue can prevent proper clicking.
4. Update iPadOS - Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Some button issues are software bugs that updates fix.

AssistiveTouch Workaround

Even if your physical home button is completely dead, you can use your iPad normally with AssistiveTouch. It creates a virtual on-screen button that does everything the physical button does.

How to Enable AssistiveTouch

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap Accessibility
3. Tap Touch
4. Tap AssistiveTouch
5. Toggle it On

A small circular button appears on screen. Tap it to access Home, Siri, Control Centre, and more. You can drag it anywhere on screen to keep it out of the way.

Pro Tip

Quick access tip: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch > Customize Top Level Menu. You can set single-tap to go straight to Home, making it almost as fast as the physical button.

Cleaning the Home Button

Dirt and grime around the button edge is a surprisingly common cause of home button issues. Here's how to clean it safely:

1. Power off your iPad - Always clean with the device off.
2. Use a soft, dry cloth - Gently clean around the button edge. A microfibre cloth works best.
3. For stubborn grime - Very lightly dampen a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol (99%). Clean around the button edge, not on it. Let it dry completely before turning on.
4. Don't use water - It can seep inside and cause more damage.

After cleaning, turn on your iPad and test the button. If it's still unresponsive, try the recalibration trick.

The Recalibration Trick

This old trick sometimes helps with sluggish or intermittent home buttons. It doesn't work for everyone, but it's worth trying:

1. Open a built-in Apple app (Camera, Clock, or Calculator work well)
2. Press and hold the Power button until "slide to power off" appears
3. Don't slide - instead, press and hold the Home button
4. Keep holding until the app closes and you return to the home screen

The theory is this forces a recalibration of the home button software. In practice, it works for some people and not others. Worth the 30 seconds to try.

When It's a Hardware Problem

If software fixes don't help, you likely have a hardware issue. Common causes:

What Happens During Repair

Home button repair involves opening the iPad, which means removing the screen (it's glued down). We check the flex cable connection first - sometimes it's just come loose. If the button or bracket is damaged, we replace those components. The screen goes back on with fresh adhesive.

The Touch ID Warning

Warning

Important: If your iPad has Touch ID (fingerprint sensor in the home button), replacing the home button means Touch ID will no longer work. The Touch ID sensor is paired to your specific iPad at the factory. A replacement button will click and function normally, but fingerprint unlock won't work - you'll need to use a passcode instead.

This is an Apple security feature, not something repair shops can bypass. If Touch ID is essential to you and the home button still clicks (just Touch ID doesn't work), that's a different issue that usually can't be fixed by anyone except Apple.

UK Repair Costs

Home button repair is one of the more affordable iPad fixes. Typical UK prices:

Remember: AssistiveTouch is a completely free alternative that works perfectly well. Many people use it for years rather than paying for repair, especially on older iPads.

Frequently Asked Questions