Unable to contact iMessage server on iPad

Hello G B-D,

Thanks so much for reaching you to us for assistance with iMessages on your iPad. We know this is a great feature, and we're delighted to assist you. 

Which iPad model, and OS version are you having this issue with? Settings > General > About.

To start, let's try following this article step by step, and see if it helps: 

If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime

We hope this information is useful. Kind regards.

Check your device settings

1. Make sure that you’re connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network. If you're using an iPhone, you need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this SMS.
2. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure that your time zone is set correctly.

>>>>>I have done this - I am in Thailand and the clock on all my Apple devices is correctly indicating local time. BTW, my MacBook and iPhone are behaving correctly. I have tried this with a VPN bringing me in via the US and without a VPN, so coming in through Bangkok.<<<<<

>>>>>Also note, when I click on my name in settings, I can see I am logged in to iCloud (based on the fact I can see how much storage is used) from the iPAD, but when I go to my iPhone, it does not report that my iPAD is online (based on the fact it is not found under 'find my iPAD')<<<<<

Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime

1. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.
2. Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
3. Restart your device:

• • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod touch

1. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.

>>>>>I have done this. When I open iMessage it asks me to sign in, and then it tells me 'signing in', and after some time it tells me it could not reach the server<<<<<

Still not activated after a day?

It might take up to 24 hours to activate iMessage and FaceTime. If the issue continues after 24 hours, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.

>>>>>ios 14.2<<<<<

1. If you're using an iPhone, contact your carrier to make sure that you can send and receive SMS messages.

>>>>>I receive SMS messages, just not iMessage messages on the iPAD. Additional, the sign in message makes it impossible to reply to any SMS messages on the iPAD<<<<<

1. If your iPhone is used with a carrier not found in the wireless carrier articles make sure you can send and receive international SMS.

>>>>>T Mobile<<<<<

Hello - I got an email saying your were taking this off-line to help, but no one responded.

I have done everything as mentioned above, but the problem still exists.

Please help.

Thanks, Gil