My ipad has gone gaga.... selecting and ditching apps at random, initiating and executing commands. Need your help, please.

Hello StrataX5,

Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.

It sounds like your iPad is behaving very unexpectedly. Be sure to try these troubleshooting steps first if your iPad seems to be acting on its own:

Plug in your device and let it charge for at least 10 minutes (20 minutes for iPad), then try turning it on.

Restart your device.

If it still doesn't respond, or if it doesn't turn back on, reset your device.

From:

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch doesn't respond or doesn't turn on - Apple Support

If the unusual behavior continues, back up your data and restore the iPad to factory settings:

Use iTunes to restore your iOS device to factory settings - Apple Support

All the best,

Jeremy

I'm having exactly the same problem. Tried all of Jeremy's suggestions, to no avail. It started after the iPad suffered a physical blow.

it doing this could be caused by an issue with the touch screen, if the screen is malfunctioning or has suffered damage it may automatically be registering touches

try restoring the iPad first, if you cannot restore in iTunes use below instructions

If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

if that doesn't fix it the iPad will need to be serviced or replaced

If it has NEVER been jailbroke, here are some standard repair procedures:

First, try a system reset. It cures many ills and it's quick, easy and harmless...

Hold down the on/off switch and the Home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it appears. You will not lose any apps, data, music, movies, settings, etc.

If the Reset doesn't work, try a Restore. Note that it's nowhere near as quick as a Reset. It could take well over an hour! Connect via cable to the computer that you use for sync. From iTunes, select the iPad/iPod and then select the Summary tab. Follow the on-screen directions for Restore and be sure to say "yes" to the backup. You will be warned that all data (apps, music, movies, etc.) will be erased but, as the Restore finishes, you will be asked if you wish the contents of the backup to be copied to the iPad/iPod. Again, say "yes."

At the end of the basic Restore, you will be asked if you wish to sync the iPad/iPod. As before, say "yes." Note that that sync selection will disappear and the Restore will end if you do not respond within a reasonable time. If that happens, only the apps that are part of the IOS will appear on your device. Corrective action is simple - choose manual "Sync" from the bottom right of iTunes.

If you're unable to do the Restore (or it doesn't help), go into Recovery Mode per the instructions here. You WILL lose all of your data (game scores, etc,) but, for the most part, you can redownload apps and music without being charged again. Also, read this.