iPad 2 will not restore from recovery mode

Hi bwelll,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

It sounds like you’ve done quite a bit of troubleshooting to try and resolve an issue restoring your iPad, and now you’re seeing an alert that’s related to communication when trying to restore the iPad in iTunes. Take a look at the article linked below, it provides more information about the alert and troubleshooting tips that you may not have already tried.

Resolve iOS update and restore errors - Apple Support

Check your security software

Related errors: 2, 4, 6, 9, 1000, 1611, 9006. Sometimes security software can prevent your device from communicating with either the Apple update server or with your device.

Check your security software and settings to make sure that they aren't preventing a connection to the Apple servers.

Cheers,

-Jason

Brant,

I have the EXACT same problem with my iPad 2 and have been trying to fix it for the last week to no avail. I called Apple support yesterday and they told me it sounds like a hardware problem and to take it to an Apple store. I think it's a software problem personally. I followed all of the suggestions as you did and they resulted in the same error 9 after "verifying iPad restore with Apple".

I also get the same results when I try to sync/update my iPad on my Windows 7 machine. So it seems to be an iPad issue. I've been updating my iPad when they come up with a new version. Maybe that's not a good idea. ;-(

I did update my iMac to OS X Yosemite that I use to sync my iPad not long before the problem began last weekend. But, as I said I get the same error 9 after the "verifying iPad restore with Apple" message. It appears it is unable to "verify the iPad restore"...not seeing the server? Did they change the server IP? DHCP problems? I can successfully ping most of the apple links I've found that I thought might be used for verification, but who knows which one it's looking for. And, I've found 3 or 4 that timed out...no connection. I'd like to know the handshake, etc., it's using to verify the iPad restore with Apple. I don't think the process is working correctly.

Still searching for a solution.

-Jay

Please tell me that it has NEVER been jailbroke.

Edit...

I read your original post more carefully and I see that you already attempted my solution.

That's pretty much the extreme action that you can take. Hopefully an Apple Store is within reasonable distance. Make an appointment with the resident "Genius." There is no charge.

Thank you for using the Apple Support Community. Due to the nature of your issue or question you may find more information by using another one of Apple's support resources - https://getsupport.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action.

Brant,

I agree it's not a good investment. I have never had a problem with my iPad 2 until now. I believe it had something to do with a recent update that has it hung up. Thanks for the feedback. I don't plan to take mine to the Apple store. I'm a computer tech and I like to use computers I can fix myself. When I called the Apple number I was on hold for 22 minutes before they took my call (the recording said the wait was ~10 minutes), then after listening to my problem she went away for 15 more minutes. When she returned she said she would put me online with a senior technician. Then, she returned to the phone ~10 minutes later and told me that the senior tech said that since I have the same symptoms on both my iMAC and a Microsoft Windows machine and I had already followed Apple's recommended protocol for a solution (disabling firewall, antivirus, swapping USB cables, etc.) it is a hardware problem with the iPad 2 and I would have to take it to an Apple store. Dead end.

I'm looking at the Samsung and Google tablets.

Thanks again!

Jay

I have had the exact same problem for months. EXACTLY.

I finally took it to the Genius Bar this week and they blamed the hardware too...I've never jailbroken the device, have taken meticulous care of it, don't install a bunch of crap, etc. Not really sure how it could be a hardware issue.

Yup, I've had the exact same problem with same outcome, they blamed a hardware failure likely due a bad sector that was pending failing and the stress caused of updating the software tipped it over the edge... Seems bizarre. Might try another update with the next release of iOS and see if that does the trick, not holding my breath though!

This has to be a software problem. My iPad 2 was working 100% fine until the last update (iOS 9.2) and now it is stuck in recovery mode. I have also followed all of the troubleshooting scenarios I can find and I know if I take it to a "genius" they are going to try tell me its a hardware problem. I am ****** and feel very ripped off that Apple is taking advantage of so many loyal users. And now instead of owning their problem they are trying to sweep it under the rug.

I am having the same problem after trying to update to iOS9.2. iPad 2 working fine before this.