iPad Gen2 - Will not update iOS system or apps

iPad has wireless connectivity to internet and Safari. Could not check for system update - would always return "Unable to Check for Update - an error occurred while checking for a software update. [Cancel | Try Again]". Same basic situation for app updates. I have > 65 apps that require update and even stopping all updates and launching only 1 app update results in square dot, but no progress. Tried the "googled" ideas of stopping the settings app, resetting and rejoining the wireless network, power down 3 times, hard power down....all to no avail.

So today I connected iPad Gen2 to MacBook Pro and via iTunes, was able to get it to update the system iOS (now at 9.3 (13E233)). Also was able to back up the iPad to the MacBook Pro. Thought I had a breakthrough but still after iOS update, still can not check for software update or update even 1 app. Checked again and have wireless access to internet through Safari.

Thanks for any ideas.