iPad 2 won't rotate when in use

[AZRaptor]

So just recently my iPad2 stopped rotating when I am using it. If I open the smart cover while holding it in landscape it comes on in landscape. If I rotate it to portrait nothing happens. If I then close the smart cover and reopen it while holding it in portrait it will come on in portrait but will not rotate to landscape when twisted.

I've tried the obvious things:

1) Checked settings to see if lock button was set for rotate function and it was set for mute.
2) Double clicked the Home button and checked the multitasking menu to verify the lock rotate icon showed it was unlocked.
3) Activated the Lock Rotate button and graphic showed it was locked, activated again and it showed unlocked. Still won't rotate
4) Set physical switch on side to control screen rotation.
5) Activated the Lock Rotate switch and graphic showed it was locked, activated again and it showed unlocked. Still won't rotate
6) Put device to sleep in landscape. Rotated to portrait. Woke unit up, turned on in portrait. Would not rotate further when twisted.
7) Put device to sleep in portrait. Rotated to landscape. Woke unit up, turned on in landscape. Would not rotate further when twisted.

I've seen some reports of this on other forums, including one user who took it to an Apple store who said it had to be replaced. Just hoping someone has found a software fix for this.

I tried to find this topic already posted with the ipadforums.net app, but didn't see one, so if it's a dupe I apologize.

 

[Tim SPRACKLEN]

The easiest first way to try to solve ‘unexplained’ or ‘unusual’ problems with the iPad are:-

Force the offending app to close. If you have iOS 4.2 or 4.3 double-press the ‘Home’ button to bring up the multi-task bar at the bottom of the screen. Press *and hold* any icon until they start to ‘jiggle’. Then tap the top left-hand corner of the app that you want to close. It will ‘disappear’ from the list. Don’t panic - you’ve not deleted it, just closed it. Now tap the Home screen and the multi-task bar will disappear. Re-open the iPad’s app and see if the problem has resolved itself. If not, it’s on to possible solution number two!!
Restart the iPad. Press *and hold* the Power button. After a couple of seconds a slider control will appear asking you to confirm that you really want to switch the iPad off (this is all you’ll be doing). Slide the control to accept. A rotating white ‘bezel’ will appear in the iPad screen as the iPad powers down (it takes a few seconds, just like it would if you were shutting down your PC). When the screen of the iPad has gone completely blank, press *and hold* the Power button for a couple of seconds until the white Apple logo appears and the iPad starts to power up. This takes several seconds, so be patient. During the power up the automatic screen orientation function is disabled, so don’t panic. A few seconds before the power up is complete, the iPad plays a little ‘jingle’ and then you’re back to the Home screen. Restart the iPad’s app and see if the problem persists. Apple (and Forum members) recommend that you power down your iPad at least once a week, just as you might regularly completely switch off your PC. The normal procedure of just briefly pressing the Power button of the iPad merely puts it to ‘sleep’. Most Forum members have found that one of the two methods I’ve mentioned here cure a whole bunch of unexplained problems and are an easy first step to resolving most anything that happens on the iPad.

Tim
Scotland

 

[AZRaptor]

Doing a bit more searching on the Web I found a suggestion to enter Settings >> General and select Reset >> Reset All Settings. This fixed the issue. I'm wondering if a particular app caused this state and will keep my eye out for it if it happens again.

 

[andy2343]

Issue w/the Smart Cover?

Just wondering if you've had this issue come back up at all since resetting the iPad. It just seems very strange to me and I have a feeling I need to take mine in. I say that because of the fix I've found for it: whenever it gets locked into an orientation, it slap the smart cover (relatively gently of course) against the front OR back or the iPad, it unlocks itself.

 

[Damooze]

Andy, thank you so much. The trick with smart cover worked well! I am so happy! It appears that the smart cover magnet affects either accelerometer or something else.

 

[andy2343]

Apple exchanged my iPad

Hey! Yeah, no problemo. I actually ended up taking my iPad into Apple and had them replace it. At first they basically said there was no way the magnets would affect the internals...until I showed them what was going on.

Funny, they still seemed skeptical, but also had no idea what was going on so didn't mind replacing it.

 

[The Alternative]

This happens to me occasionally, too. No need to Reset your Settings. Just shut down the iPad (Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button) and rotation will come back to normal. At least it does for me.

 

[jcarrig]

Same problem fixed...

I had the same problem with the rotation locking unexpectedly. Tim's solution of just turning the iPad "off" fixed the problem.

I realized I have had the iPad for atleast 2 months and never turned it off.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Gmcyprus]

Ipad rotation problem? No problem, slap it ,Carefully but slap it , with your cover .this will solve the problem which will keep coming back.something wrong with the magnets probably. Keep slapping

 

[thebeachisgud]

Wow...Thanks, Tim Spracklen. I had tried many suggestions to restore my I-Pad 2's capability to rotate screen. None worked until I tried your "solution number two." Problem solved...and if it ever fails to rotate again, I won't panic!