How to Fix If iPad Screen Not Rotating?

How to Fix If iPad Screen Not Rotating?.

iPad screen rotation issues are a common problem that are usually easy to fix. But sometimes you may need additional fixes for the screen to be stuck in portrait or landscape mode to rotate properly.

Use the suggestions and solutions below to fix your iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro screen that won’t rotate automatically.

1. Check Screen Orientation Lock

First, check if rotation lock is active on your iPad. You or someone else with access to your iPad may have accidentally turned it on. This is also a fairly common problem on iPhone, iPod touch, and even Android. If Rotation Lock is enabled, turn it off to get your iPad’s screen to rotate again.

To do this, swipe down from the top right corner of the iPad screen to open the Control Center. On an Apple iPad running iOS 10 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead. If the Rotate Lock button is active (red padlock icon on a white background), tap it to disable it.

2. Use Side Switch to Disable Rotation Lock

If you’re using a 4th generation iPad (2012) or earlier iPad, Rotation Lock appears as a physical side button/switch above the volume up and volume down buttons. If your iPad’s screen doesn’t rotate, use it to disable your iOS device orientation lock.

3. Turn Screen Off, Then On

If Rotation Lock isn’t the problem, here’s a quick fix you can try. Start by turning off your iPad screen (press the top/power button). Then hold iPad in the position you want to rotate it and turn it back on.

Failed? Move on to the rest of the fixes.

4. Force-Quit App

In rare cases, the app can crash and prevent your iPad screen from auto-rotating. To fix this, try force quitting the app. So, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold your finger for a short while to bring up the app switcher. Then drag the card of an appâ€”Safari, for exampleâ€”up and off the screen.

If the iPad home screen starts spinning as usual after doing this, re-launch the app and see if the problem persists.

5. Some Apps Donâ€™t Support Rotation

It’s rare that you’ll come across apps that don’t natively support screen rotation. This is probably the case if the rest of your iPad is spinning normally. There is nothing you can do about it other than request the functionality as a feature update from the app developer.

6. Power Off and Restart iPad

The next fix involves restarting your iPad. To do this, open the Settings app and tap General > Shut Down. Then drag the power icon to the right to turn off the device. When the screen goes blank, wait 30 seconds. Then press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.

7. Force-Restart iPad

If your iPad’s screen is unresponsive or freezes, you must force restart it. However, the process differs between models with and without a home button.

Force restart iPad using the home button

Source: Apple

1. Press and hold the Home and Power buttons at the same time.

2. Keep holding both buttons until the screen turns off and the Apple logo appears.

3. Release both buttons and wait for the lock screen.

Force restart iPad without home button

Source: Apple

1. Quickly press and release the volume up button.

2. Quickly press and release the volume down button.

3. Immediately press and hold the power button.

4. Keep holding the button until the screen turns off and the Apple logo appears.

3. Release the button and wait for the lock screen.

8. Update System Software

If the issue persists and causes your iPad screen to freeze or permanently stuck in portrait orientation lock or vice versa, itâ€™s a good idea to update your system software. This is the best way to resolve any known technical issues with auto-rotation.

To do this, open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update. Then click “Download and Install” to install the latest iOS or iPadOS for your iPad. Learn what to do if you’re having trouble updating your iPad.

9. Update All Apps

In addition to system software, we also recommend updating all apps on your iPad. To do this, press and hold the App Store icon and select Updates. Then swipe down on the Account pop-up panel to find new app updates and tap Update All.

10. Reset All Settings to Defaults

Corrupted system settings on the iPad can also play a role, so the next fix involves resetting them to their defaults. However, this will cause you to lose your saved Wi-Fi networks and privacy settings, so be prepared to spend time resetting your iPad later.

To reset all settings on your iPad, open the Settings app and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset All Settings. Then enter your iPad device password and tap Reset to confirm.

iPad Screen Rotation Issues Fixed

The instructions above should help you rotate the stuck screen on iPad again. Don’t forget to memorize easier fixes (check rotation lock, turn screen off/on, restart iPad, etc.) in case you run into the same problem later.

However, if none of the fixes work, or if your iPad screen is constantly stuck in landscape or portrait mode, then the problem could be a faulty gyroscope. Your best bet is to contact Apple Support and sign up at your nearest Apple Store. But if you’re up for it, you can perform additional troubleshooting steps yourself by factory resetting your device or flashing the firmware in DFU mode via iTunes.