Feb 21, 2025 • Filed to: Mobile Repair Solutions • Proven solutions
Are you wondering why your iPad won't rotate? If yes, then the following guide is for you.
Many people prefer the iPad over iPhone to watch movies, to learn lessons, and for many other reasons. The big screen of the iPad allows users to easily read and watch everything on the screen. Also, the screen rotation is a great function of the iPad that gives users much convenience, especially when watching a movie or playing a game.
But sometimes, the iPad screen won't rotate. You turn it left, right, and upside-down, but the screen is not rotating. Luckily, iPad not the rotating problem can be solved with the following guide.
Take a look!
There are many reasons why your iPad won't rotate, and some of them are as follow:
Accidental Fall
When your iPad falls accidentally but does not break, then it can be the reason for the rotate screen not working. But, if the screen is broken or damaged, then you need to contact the Apple Support Center to get it fixed.
Unsupported Apps
Most apps are designed for iPhone, and few are designed for iPad that supports one orientation. So, it is possible that some apps do not support the auto-rotate feature of the iPad screen. In this case, you can check the issue for all apps installed on your device. If the screen rotates for some, then it means there is no issue with iPad screen rotation, but with the app, you are using.
Software Glitch
It is possible that you are not able to see the rotation lock icon on your iPad's screen. In this case, it is possible that your iPad is experiencing a software glitch. To solve this issue, you can turn the iPad off completely then restart it.
Rotation Lock Turn On
Have you accidentally turned on the rotation lock? You don't know how to turn it off, and you are facing an iPad screen that won't rotate issue. When the rotation lock is enabled on your device, then also your screen won't rotate. So make sure to turn it off.
But how to turn off the rotation lock? Read the following part.
Most of the time, iPad users mistakenly turn on the rotation lock, due to which the iPad fails to rotate the screen. Here are the steps to turn off the rotation lock in the control center:
For iPad with iOS 12 or later:
For iPad with iOS 11 or earlier:
For the older iPad, such as iPad Air, you can use the side switch on the right side to turn off rotation. Set the side switch to work as a rotation lock or mute switch with the following steps.
But if you check “mute” under “USE SIDE SWITCH TO”, the side switch will be used to mute the iPad. In this case, you can see the Lock Rotation in the control center and turn off the Rotation Lock as Part 2 introduced.
Models of iPad have Side Switch
Apple has discontinued the side switch with the introduction of the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Pro models also come without a side switch.
But, if you have iPad Air, iPad Mini / iPad Mini 2 / iPad Mini 3, or iPad (3rd and 4th generation), you can use these steps. It is because all these models of iPad have side switch.
If you have followed the guide above to turn off the Rotation lock, but the iPad still won't rotate. In this case, check the following guide to do further troubleshooting.
4.1 Force restart iPad
It is possible that due to a software issue, you are not able to rotate iPad screen. So, in this case, force rebooting of the iPad can solve the issue. This will restart your device and can also fix minor bugs.
Force restart the iPad with the home button
Force restart the latest iPad models with no home button
If you have the latest iPad then follow these steps to force restart the iPad:
4.2 Reset All Settings
If the iPad doesn't rotate issue persists, you can try resetting iPadOS settings. With this, you will be able to reset all things like Wi-Fi connections and network settings. This is also a great way to take care of some unidentifiable iPadOS bugs to fix the rotation lock issue.
But before resetting the iPad, it is important to back up all the data.
Selectively backup your iPad data in 3 minutes!
Take Back-Up of iPad using iTunes/Finder:
Once the backup is done, erase all content and settings. Here are the steps:
4.3 The App You are Using is Crashed
It's possible your iPhone, or iPad screen won't rotate because of a software glitch in the operating system or in the app you're using. On devices like iPads, bugs crop up occasionally, but developers' updates fix them.
So, in this case, you need to check for updates if the force restart doesn't work.
4.4 Fix iPad Won't Rotate with One Click: Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS)
Repair iOS System Errors Without data loss.
With Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS), you can easily fix system errors or software glitches, such as iPad restarts. It is very easy to use and you do not need any technical knowledge to use Dr.Fone.
The best part is that it works for all models of iPad and supports iOS 15 too. Follow these steps to fix the iPad screen not rotating problem:
Now with the above ways, you know how to fix the iPad won't rotate issue. You can check the reasons why your iPad screen is not rotating and get it fixed with the help of the above solutions. iPad is the best device to use for watching movies and reading books online with rotating screen according to your comfort.
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