Hi Jackal8east,
If you are not able to set up your iPad after recovery mode, the first thing I would suggest is to confirm you are able to log in to your Apple ID.
If you initially tried to recover using a Wi-Fi connection, use an ethernet connection, restart your computer and try again.
- Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes.
- While your device is connected, force restart it: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home button for at least 10 seconds, and don't release when you see the Apple logo. Keep holding until you see the recovery mode screen.

- When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Update. iTunes will try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. Wait while iTunes downloads the software for your device.
- If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits recovery mode, you'll need to repeat these steps and choose Restore instead of Update when you get back to this step.

- After the Update or Restore completes, set up your device. If you previously backed up your device with iTunes or iCloud and had to restore your device in step 3, you might be able to restore from your backup during setup.
Get more help
Contact Apple Support if you can’t update or restore your device with recovery mode, or you can't use recovery mode because of broken or stuck buttons.
Last Modified: Oct 6, 2015
Take care,