Q: updated to IOS 9.3 and activation server is not responding

They will recommend you restore from DFU mode and iTunes/iCloud backup I tried them as well, they were very polite and all, but not very helpful. Oh well Maybe they have learned some new tricks since I spoke to them last (last night)

It worked out! Thanks for the post!

What is DFU mode?

roflmao this does not work!!

Didn't work

Hi,I'm having that issue to where as I upated my ipad and Iphone. I had to trouble with my cell.But my ipad wont open with the ID's and passwords i have on it. So going on Itunes and creating a new ITUNES acct will fix this issue?

I too have this problem.  I originally contacted Apple support on 3/22/16 and was advised to "keep trying" the activation process.  Well, after 2 days of trying to get my iPad 2 to activate, and trying everything short of a total "Restore," I contacted Apple support again, today.  I was able to speak with a senior advisor and he informed me that Apple is aware of this issue with iOS 9.3 and the iPad 2.  Per this advisor the issue is Apple's problem and they are working on it.  He says to look for 1) an update to iTunes that will allow iTunes to see your connected iPad 2, 2) the ability to choose the "UPDATE" option without going in to DFU mode, 3) an update to iOS 9.3 probably 9.3.1,  4) an internal Apple Server update, and 5) possibly all of the above.

Bottom line, if you have an iPad 2 and you have not updated to iOS 9.3, DON'T UPGRADE YET.  Wait until you see an iOS 9.3.x update posted.

Gruene Guy

Thnx for the solution and now I restored my iPad 2 with 9.2.1 please let me know if ios 9.3 works.

kd010,

Now that you are back to iOS 9.2.1, I suggest you wait for an iOS 9.3."x" to come out.  Such as iOS 9.3.1  or  9.3.2.  That will be an indication that Apple has resolved the iOS 9.3 issue that has been troubling us iPad 2 users.

I have noted a couple of poster's have stated that they, like myself, are iOS beta testers.  I'm curious if all of us have this in common.  If anyone contacts Apple and you are an iOS beta tester, it might be helpful if you passed that information to Apple.  Maybe this is why our iPad's can't activate.

Gruene Guy

I have the same problem as described above but i am not a beta tester.  Ipad2 wifi and 3g, but have never used the 3g data plan on the device, got a good deal on the device and memory so basically the 3g option was free.  Wondering if for the upgrade, it was assumed on 3g devices that would be the primary means to confirm activation?  That is my theory and hoping for that patch.  Spent a bit of time chatting with apple support rep and got similar answers to above.

Thru Twitter, Apple support is calling me at 4:30 PM CDT.  Will advise!

Just did a factory restore from iTunes, and it worked OK, now using 9.3 on a much cleaner iPad, as only installed the apps I use rather than ones that have built up over 5 years

I'm not a beta tester.  I still have 9.3 on my wifi and 3G iPad 2 but, of course, can't activate it.  Am hoping that the iTunes update to recognise my iPad 2 will then enable me to activate 9.3 then upgrade to 9.3.x.  I'm not a confident techie so would rather avoid the restore if possible!

This worked for my iPad 2, except I went ahead and restored to factory settings and updated to 9.3 once I was connected to iTunes in recovery mode. Once the update finished, I then set it up as a new iPad, reconnected it to my account, and then restored the pieces I needed via a combination of downloading and library syncing. This was messiest iOS upgrade I've yet attempted.

I fixed my problem using this site and followed the steps. Good luck. http://www.imore.com/how-to-iphone-ipad-dfu-mode