How to fix
Apple pencil connected but not working
on Windows

Hello. I used my Apple pencil for a couple of weeks until it suddenly stopped working. It shows that the Apple pencil is connected but not working. I have no idea what could have happened as it is fully charged and still nothing. Hope someone knows how to fix it.

Apple Pencil was introduced together with the iPad Pro in 2015.[ref en-1] It is focused on digital artists and note-takers. The Apple Pencil is meant to work the same as a traditional pencil, but instead of writing on paper, users can write on the ‌iPad‌'s display. You can even put your hand right on the ‌iPad‌ while you write, which, for a long time, was not possible with other digital pencils.

This handy tool can not only be beneficial for drawers. The Apple Pencil can also be a replacement for a finger when navigating through iOS.[ref en-2] You can do things like open apps, scroll, and more. Of course, as with everything else, some complaints come from users who are struggling with the new gadgets.

Lately, people are having issues with their Apple Pencil being connected but not working. This could be happening because of many reasons. For example, the second-generation Apple Pencil was revealed to have some wear and tear issues. The rounded tip seems to get easily stained. Other reasons include the possibility that the pencil needs to be charged or is faulty.

Besides the issues with the pencil itself, the cause could be hiding in the iPad that users are trying to use it with. It may be configured wrong, or there could be something wrong with the settings. We cannot exclude the possibility that the iPad could be missing important updates,[ref en-2] so you should rule those out.

One good way to make sure that it is not your iPad's fault is by using a maintenance tool like [d1]. It can fix serious system errors, and optimize the machine. By using it you could potentially avoid a lengthy manual troubleshooting process so it is highly recommended. If you are ready to proceed with our suggested solutions, you can look below for instructions.

Solution 1. Charge it

First-generation with iPad Pro:

• Remove the cap from your Apple Pencil. (If you're worried about losing the cap during the charging process, you can magnetically attach it to the iPad next to the Home button.)
• Insert your Apple Pencil's Lightning connector into your iPad or iPad Pro's Lightning port

With Lightning adapter:

• Remove the cap from the back of your Apple Pencil
• Insert your Apple Pencil's Lightning connector into the Lightning adapter
• Plug the Lightning adapter into your Lightning cable

Second-generation:

• Place the Apple Pencil on the wide side of the iPad Pro with the magnetic strip

Solution 2. Tighten the tip

The Apple Pencil's tip comes off. It can wear down over time, and you will need to swap in the replacement that comes in the box. It also means it can come loose and you will need to tighten it to get it working again. Just make sure it's on and tightened properly.

Solution 3. Reboot

• You can either turn your iPad Pro on and off as normal or perform a hard reset if you think you need it

Solution 4. Re-pair

• Launch the Settings app from your iPad's Home screen
• Tap Bluetooth

• Tap the Info button to the right of Apple Pencil under My Devices
• Tap on Forget
• To re-pair the first-generation Apple Pencil, simply plug it back into the Lightning port on your iPad or iPad Pro
• To re-pair the second-generation Apple Pencil, simply place it on the magnetic charging strip of your iPad Pro again

Solution 5. Check Pencil and iPad compatibility

The first-generation Apple Pencil works with:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (first and second generations, released in 2015 and 2017)
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch (released in 2016)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch (released in 2017)
• iPad (sixth generation, released in 2018)
• iPad (seventh generation, released in 2019)
• iPad Air (third generation, released in 2019)
• iPad mini (fifth generation, released in 2019)
• iPad (eighth generation, released in 2020)

The second-generation Apple Pencil works with:

• iPad Pro 11-inch (first, second, and third generations; released in 2018, 2020, and 2021)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (third, fourth, and fifth generations; released in 2018, 2020, and 2021)
• iPad Air (fourth generation, released in 2020)