ipad shuts down wont hold charge

The symptoms that you describe may indeed suggest a failing battery - and you may be able to narrow the possibilities.

Start by connecting your Power Adapter to your iPad - and allow the iPad to charge, undisturbed, for several hours. Next, whilst the iPad remains connected to external power, attempt to start-up the iPad. If the iPad does successfully boot/restart, you can verify the reported battery state.

Assuming that the iPad is still running, whilst monitoring the battery state, disconnect the Power Adapter. Does the reported battery state suddenly fall, or the iPad immediately power-off? If so, your battery has either reach the end of is useful life and/or is failing.

If the iPad remains running, you would be well advised to directly contact Apple Support using the Get Support link at top-right of this page - and request a remote battery test; the results of this test may better inform your next steps - and the economic viability of a battery replacement.

Consider that the problem may be with the Power Adapter, cable, or iPad. These support pages should help with troubleshooting:

Charge and monitor the iPad battery - Apple Support

If your iPad won't charge – Apple Support

Troubleshooting generally requires substitution of the Power Adapter and cable for another known-good item.

If may well be useful to take your iPad, Power Adapter and charging cable along to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad (and its battery), your Power Adapter and cable(s):

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

I hope this guidance proves to be helpful with troubleshooting the problem.

It is hard to tell given the information about your iPad. The issue could be a bad battery, or a bad charging port or the the iPad's logic board. There is no way to confirm this without having the iPad examined at the Apple Store or at an Authorized Service Center. If, during the diagnosis, it is found that the battery has finished out its lifespan then you choose to get it replaced then. If it is not the battery then you can make you decision after the diagnosis is complete.

Axel F.

Mine started doing this today after the 14.8 update. Keeps restarting and, even though it indicates it’s charging, battery percentage is going down.