Software update IOS 10 for iPad 4

If your iPad is currently running, or cannot be updated beyond iOS 10.3.3/4, then have an iPad4 - which can be confirmed by your model number (Settings > General > About).

Update support for iPad4 ended September 2017. The final iOS releases for this model were iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only models) and iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular). iPad4 cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions.

Many App Developers have also dropped support for older devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly more limited. Once compatible versions Apps are withdrawn, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install them.

If Apps that you need to use now have higher minimum iOS-version requirements, your only option is to replace your iPad with newer model. Even the basic current iPad7 supports current iPadOS 13.x - and has hardware specifications that will vastly outperform your old iPad4.

I hope this information is helpful - if only in clearly stating your current options.

If you have an iPad 4 and want to re-load iOS 10 because of an errant notification retrying and failing, yes, I would use the sequence described: Back up, wipe, reload iOS 10, and restore.

You won’t get iOS 11 or later, but that notification should (may?) go away.

You also won’t get any apps updated that requires iOS past iOS 10.

Various app vendors only support the last three iOS versions, so you’re probably not getting many (any?) apps updated.

As mentioned above, that iPad is end-of-life. Here’s another long answer on the same topic: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251467407?answerId=252845102022#252845102022

Similar text will probably eventually get incorporated into a user tech note, as iPad 4 and other iPads fall off support.

Try a restart.

Failing that...

Back up your iPhone to a local Mac or Windows system, reset to factory and wipe, reload iOS, and restore.