An Apple Pencil is one of the most valuable tools for iPad owners, especially when they need to draw or sketch. In addition, its wireless feature makes it an even more seamless and indispensable accessory – much like other Apple products.
However, this fantastic feature could also be its worst as it could randomly disconnect from the iPad. So if you are wondering why your Apple pencil keeps disconnecting, we have the answer and the best fixes for you in this article.
Why My Apple Pencil Keeps Disconnecting Randomly When Using It
If your Apple pencil keeps disconnecting randomly when using it, you might have Bluetooth, pairing or battery issues. Bluetooth-related issues are the more common culprits in this situation. For example, you might unknowingly turn your Bluetooth off, or the connection could be interrupted somehow, causing the devices to disconnect.
Battery or Charging Port
If your Apple pencil’s battery is running low, dead or faulty, it will keep disconnecting while you use it. You can check the battery percentage of your Apple pencil with the battery widget on your iPad. If the pencil isn’t charging properly or at all, it could result from a damaged battery, charging port on your iPad or lighting connector on the pencil.
Apple Tip/Nib
Another reason your Apple pencil keeps disconnecting could be a problem with the tip/nib. If the tip is damaged, worn out or loose, it can cause various problems, including random disconnecting or detection issues. In addition, some other physical problems on the pencil, asides from the tip, could cause the disconnection issue.
Sleep Mode
It is important to note that when you turn off your iPad, the pencil goes into sleep mode to preserve the battery and turning it back on will not wake the pencil. When this happens, it might seem like the pencil is disconnected or not working, but it’s just in sleep mode.
Outdated OS
An iPad running on an outdated OS can develop different issues that prevent it from functioning properly on its own or with other devices. Software updates usually have bug fixes and improvements that could fix many technical issues. So if the cause of the disconnection between your iPad and Apple pencil is a bug or software glitch, the update should fix it.
Why Does My Apple Pencil Keep Disconnecting When I Unplug It?
If your Apple pencil keeps disconnecting when you unplug it, it might be the battery. The pencil’s battery could be damaged or unable to hold a charge. If your pencil always displays 100% battery, it is probably faulty and not getting charged at all because the iPad thinks it’s fully charged. It could also be a hardware issue causing the pencil to fail.
You should note that keeping an Apple Pencil without using it or charging it for more than a few weeks can damage the battery. It is essential to keep your pencil charged to a minimum of 10-15% at all times to stop the battery from failing. The best fix for this problem would be replacing the batteries or taking the pencil to the nearest Apple Store to get it checked.
Why Does My Apple Pencil Keep Disconnecting on Procreate?
If your Apple Pencil keeps disconnecting on Procreate, it could indicate a problem with the app, pencil, or iPad. You can try these troubleshooting steps;
- Close the app and open it again
- Update the app
- Un-pair and repair the pencil
- Restart or force restart the iPad
- Un-pair your pencil, hard reboot or force restart your iPad, then repair the pencil
- Ensure to select Selected Tool under Settings > Procreate > Apple Pencil Mode
- Check that the Apple Pencil is selected as the main stylus in the Procreate app settings
- Tighten the pencil tip
- Turn off the zoom feature on your iPad
- Remove the screen protector on your iPad
- Try other fixes mentioned in this article
- Replace the pencil
- Contact Apple Support
Why Does My Apple Pencil Keep Disconnecting When Charging?
If your Apple Pencil keeps disconnecting when charging, it might be due to a problem with your iPad charging port or the pencil’s lightning connector. You can try gently cleaning both with a new toothbrush or anti-static brush and checking for damages on them. The pencil won’t charge if it’s disconnected, so you can try connecting to another iPad to see if it’ll charge or charge it with the USB power adapter it came with.
Read also: Why is Your Apple Pencil Connected but Not Working?
How to Fix an Apple Pencil That Keeps Disconnecting?
The first thing to try when your Apple pencil keeps disconnecting is to repair the pencil to your iPad. First, you should ‘forget’ the pencil within the settings of your iPad, then repair it from scratch. Doing this would reset the connection between both devices and might fix the problem. It is a simple ‘turn it off and on again’ fix. Now, for the steps;
- On your iPad, go to Settings >> Bluetooth
- Toggle it on if it’s off
- Click on the i icon next to your Apple pencil and select Forget This Device
- To repair the pencil (1st generation) to your iPad;
- Remove the cap on the bottom of the pencil
- Connect it to the charging port on your iPad
- You should see a pop-up asking if you want to use the pencil with your iPad
- Tap Pair or Connect
- To repair the pencil (2nd generation) to your iPad;
- Attach it to the centre of the magnetic connector on the side of your iPad just below the volume buttons
- Let the tip of the pencil face the volume buttons
- You should see the Apple Pencil pop up
- Select Connect to pair it
*Note that you have to check that your iPad and Apple Pencil models are compatible. Otherwise, they will not pair. You should also note that the devices will stay connected until you pair the pencil with another iPad, restart your iPad or turn on flight mode.*
Fix 2: Turn It Off and On Again
The next fix to try is to turn it off and on again literally. This is another refresh fix that might fight the disconnection issue. Turn off your iPad, wait at least a minute and turn it back on. You can also try force restarting it to fix the issue.
To turn off your iPad (models with a home button), press and hold the power button and drag the slider. On models without a home button, press and hold the power button and either volume button simultaneously, then drag the slider.
To force restart your iPad (models with a home button), press and hold the power button and home button simultaneously – release them when you see the Apple logo. On models without a home button, press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button, press and hold the power button – release when you see the Apple logo.
To turn off any model (in case any button is faulty), go to Settings > General > Shut Down and drag the slider.
Fix 3: Charge the Pencil
As earlier stated, if your Apple pencil keeps disconnecting, you might be facing battery issues, and the simple fix is to charge the pencil. To charge a 1st generation Apple pencil, take off the cap on the bottom and plug it into the charging port of your iPad. For a 2nd generation Apple pencil, you only need to attach it to the connector on the side of your iPad allowing the tip of the pencil to face the volume buttons. You can check the battery percentage with the battery widget on your iPad.
Fix 4: Wake It Up
As aforementioned, if you turn off your iPad, your pencil will go into sleep mode until you wake it up. To do this, you would need to connect it to the iPad. For instance, you need to connect it using the lightning connector to the iPad’s charging port or connect it to the magnetic connectors on the side of the iPad. This should wake it up and get it working normally again.
Fix 5: Reset
No, we don’t mean doing a full reset on your iPad – just the settings. Resetting your iPad’s settings might fix the random disconnection of your Apple pencil. To do this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings.
You can also try resetting just the network settings on your iPad. For this, you should select Reset Network Settings instead of Reset All Settings.
Fix 6: Update
Another way to fix the Apple pencil keeps disconnecting issue is to update your iPad. The issue might be caused by a bug, and the update might fix it. To update;
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install
- Once it’s downloaded, click on Install Now
Fix 7: Disable Zoom
Not Zoom Video Connections, the zoom feature on your iPad. It is possible to face issues with your Apple pencil when the zoom feature is enabled. To disable it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom and toggle it off.
Fix 4: Troubleshoot
Here are some other troubleshooting tips to fix the Apple pencil keeps disconnecting issue;
- Check that Bluetooth is not turned off on your iPad
- Check for damages on the pencil
- Tighten or replace the pencil tip/nib
- Connect the pencil’s lightning connector to the iPad’s charging port and try to repair
- Unscrew the pencil tip, blow hard into it and the sensor on the pencil itself, then reconnect
- Turn off Bluetooth, wait at least a minute and turn it back on
- Charge the iPad
- Disconnect other Bluetooth devices
- Charge the pencil with the USB adapter it came with
- Clean the iPad and pencil tip with a clean microfiber towel (no liquid)
- Replace the pencil’s batteries
- Try shaking the pencil
- Try connecting the pencil to another iPad
- Try connecting another pencil or Bluetooth device to the iPad
- Replace the pencil
- Contact Apple support
How to Keep My Apple Pencil Paired
To keep your Apple pencil paired to your iPad, you can invest in a Bluetooth adapter to keep the connection reliable and reduce interference. You can also try more straightforward tricks like keeping both devices charged, restarting your iPad when needed, not pressing too hard on the pencil to avoid wear, checking on the pencil tip and tightening or replacing it when needed.
Conclusion
The Apple Pencil is easy to use, making using an iPad more seamless and fun. If your Apple Pencil keeps disconnecting when charging when used or with a particular app, it will undoubtedly become frustrating for you. Luckily, we have several fixes for you to try in this article – you should be back to bonding with your pencil in no time.
