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azrionline
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Apple Pencil connection showing despite no connection?

my Apple Pencil second generation isn’t working, I tried looking up all the different options and no matter what I tried it didn’t work. I’m assuming that I need to take it to the Apple Store, but I wanted to try one last thing and get some advice before I actually do it.

I swear that usually, when you pair an Apple Pencil, a little Apple Pencil window opens up in your settings for you to adjust the content on it, like double tapping, scribbling, and other stuff. usually, if your Apple Pencil disconnects with the iPad, that little window goes away. When my Apple Pencil stopped working, I disconnected it from my iPad, but the little window is still there, and even when I reset/hard rest/reset networks on my iPad… it’s still there when I open my iPad settings again.


do I have to reset my entire iPad and just keep all of the app data? If I have to, I don’t really know how to do it and I don’t wanna lose the stuff that I have. I use the Procreate art app, which does not have a feature where you can save your stuff online, it’s all on Procreate and I think when you delete the app, it deletes all of your work. please let me know if there’s a way around this or if I just have to legitimately take the pencil to an AT&T store to have this resolved.

Posted on Oct 18, 2026 12:56 AM

2 replies

LotusPilot
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)

Oct 18, 2026 3:14 AM in response to azrionline

As described and illustrated, the Pencil's battery has failed - and will not accept charge. The graphic that you see indicates that the Pencil has been detected, but is unresponsive and unable to pair with the iPad. In such circumstances gentle warming of the Pencil (such as placing on a hot water radiator), prior to attempting to dock and charge the Pencil from the host iPad, can sometimes resurrect a dead Pencil battery.


If you continue to experience difficulties, here is one of the better troubleshooting guides:

https://appletoolbox.com/apple-pencil-not-working-heres-our-troubleshooting-guide/


Be aware that if your Pencil has been set-aside for an extended period, unused and uncharged, the Pencil battery can be damaged through deep discharge. In common with all Li-ion batteries, they must always have some level of charge to prevent failure.


The tiny internal Li-ion battery is susceptible to permanent/irreversible damage through being left discharged for long periods. Even some “new” pencils can exhibit signs of failure out-of-the-box if they are “old stock”. 


It is essential that if you have an Apple Pencil that you charge it regularly - whether used or not - so as to protect the battery from deep-discharge. Do not allow a pencil to remain in low-charge state for any period of time - as the internal battery will fail, rendering the Pencil useless. Setting aside an unused Pencil, for extended periods, is a recipe for premature death of the Pencil battery.


If the Pencil Battery has failed, the only remedy is to replace the Pencil. If the battery has failed and your pencil is within its one-year warranty, you should look to having it replaced by your retailer or at an Apple Store.


Finally, be aware that the second generation Apple Pencil does not feature double-tap, barrel-roll or squeeze settings. These are all only available with the Apple Pencil Pro.





Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256378245