How to back up an iPad stuck in spinning wheel loop?

While the iPad is unable to properly restart, backup is not possible. A backup should always be created before disaster strikes - not after.

Start by connecting your iPad to its Power Adapter and allow the iPad to charge for at least an hour. This step is advised as a battery with very low charge, or is failing, may produce symptoms that emulate a boot loop.

If the problem fails to stabilise after an hour, whilst still connected to the Power Adapter, attempt a forced restart of the iPad:

• On an iPad with a Home button: Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
• On other iPad models: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the top button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.

If iPad still doesn’t turn on, or if it gets stuck during start up, see the Apple Support article If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't turn on or is frozen. Or if your iPad isn’t working correctly after you restart it, see the iPad Support website.

If your iPad is stuck is actually stuck in a boot-loop, you’ll need to resolve this specific issue - which may entail “restoring” the most recent version of iPadOS to the iPad. if you don’t have a pre-existing backup, data will be unavoidably lost. This support page outlines restoration of an iPad to Factory Settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod to factory settings – Apple Support

You’ll need access to either a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Use of a PC or Mac computer is unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) will be delighted to assist.

JuliaG Said:

"How to back up an iPad stuck in spinning wheel loop?: My iPad 9 is stuck in the spinning wheel reboot loop. My son completely filled up the memory so iTunes isn't letting me do anything with it (I can't even get it into recovery mode). And of course every few seconds when it shuts off then turns back on, it disconnects from iTunes. What do I do at this point?"

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Troubleshooting a Filled Up iPad:

Clear Space:

A. Clear Temporary Internet Files:

Clear your Temporary Internet Files(Cookies & Cache) of Safari:

• Cookies perform remembrance of certain site-entered data.
• Cache keeps a snapshot of the last time you visited a site.
• Go Here: Clear the History and Cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch - Apple Support

Also...

B. Clean TV and Music Libraries:

Remove all unneeded files from your TV and Music Libraries. Full-Movies take up 2-4GB typically, and a bunch of those would take up a load of storage, ideally. So, if you have any movies that are not needed, then delete them.

Also...

C. Clear "Other":

Clear the storage named System Data (formerly called "Other"). It basically contains unnecessary files such as caches that are used for system ease of use - all of which gather over time. Perform the same as instructed here, but on your iPad.: How to Clear "Other" in your iPhone's Storage - Use Backup - User Tip. Caches would be being used for remembrance of application use.