Why is there a black bar at the top of my screen?

Hi Amara,

I have a niece named Amara; it's not a common name here in the US.

Anyway, probably a good idea to get a second opinion, but it looks like a row of dead pixels to me. Assuming you never see anything in that black bar at any time, like when it's booting or just charging or whatever, then I'd say you probably need to replace the LCD.

I know you said nothing happened to it, but the flex cable that attaches to the glass is extremely delicate and can fail for the most minor of reasons, and that's what it sounds like happened to your screen. Here's a guide showing you how to replace the LCD.

iPad 6 Wi-Fi LCD Replacement - iFixit Repair Guide

You can support iFixit's repair efforts by purchasing the screen from them if you want.

iPad 5 A1822 and iPad 6 A1893 LCD: Replacement Part

If finances are a concern, you can easily find suitable replacements on sites like Amazon, eBay and AliExpress, among others.

Good luck; let us know how it goes!