iPad will not connect to server

Question

Level 1

61 points

iPad will not connect to server

It sort of looks like my iPad has gone and twisted its tail (connection) and gotten lost somewhere in cyber space.

Yesterday morning it opened up to the Hello screen > Slide to Set Up which brought up the screen "Could Not Activate iPad" with the message "Your iPad could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached. Try connecting you iPad to iTunes to activate it, or try again in a couple of minutes. If this problem persists, contact Apple Support at apple.com/support".

This condition actually began three days ago when it could not connect to the internet through my Airport WiFi and I could not get it cleared. I did troubleshooting on the Dome using Airport Utility that showed all connections up and green. My primary computer was not affected. I was able to bring that one back by doing a total system (all equipments - computers, iPad, modem and Airport) powered down for a couple minutes then powered up one at a time beginning with the modem (Cable), then Airport, my primary computer (2003 iMac Flat Panel all in one) then the iMac dome. They all restored to full operation properly. At the time I was only interested in the Dome as I was doing some work on it using Classic apps and did not activate the iPad until later that evening.

Just wondering what is going on and if there is any inexpensive way to get it operational again?

Sparkgapper

p.s. there is an Apple Store here in El Paso though it is a long drive from where I live.

iPad 2, iOS 9.2.1, Wi-Fi only

Posted on Apr 21, 2016 7:18 AM

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Answer 1

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Apr 21, 2016 11:10 AM in response to Sparkgapper

If you are having problems with apps stalling or crashing,

-- double click on home button

-- swipe up on all the apps to force quit them

Re-boot ipad.

Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until a red slider appears, then drag the slider. Then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201559

force power down if the above give you trouble.

Hold down both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button. Ten seconds or more. Hold until the Apple logo appears.

more details on re-booting:

http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Guide/ss/How-To-Reboot-Your-iPad-Power-Off.htm

This these tips by MichelPM to improve performance:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7387532?answerId=29504169022#29504169022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7387532?answerId=29504311022#29504311022

Restore to factory settings by loading the latest version of ios that your machine will support:

1) Do a full backup of your device if needed. Twice is best -- cloud and computer.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203977

2) Three ways of restoring your ipad. [ as easy as abc ]

2.a) "You can use iTunes to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to factory settings and the latest version of iOS."

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

2.b) Be a little more insistent: "You can put your iOS device into recovery mode, then restore it using iTunes.:

http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201263

3.c) At last resort you could consider DFU (Device Firmware Update). This could void your warranty.

http://www.imore.com/tip-put-iphone-ipad-dfu-mode

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Answer 2

Sparkgapper Author

Level 1

61 points

Apr 21, 2016 1:52 PM in response to rccharles

Absolutely nothing posted had anything to do with my problem as published. I have attempted reboots many times and it ALWAYS starts back up with the Hello screen as if this is the FIRST TIME starting and no matter what I do through it, it WILL NOT connect to the internet. It is especially frustrating since one of the suggestions is to log into iTunes which is always unreachable.

Sparkgapper

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Answer 3

Sparkgapper Author

Level 1

61 points

Apr 21, 2016 6:09 PM in response to Sparkgapper

Sorry for the snappish reply as frustration is getting in the way.

Let me start over and disregard everything except the iPad and its connectivity.

A while after it COLD BOOTED my entire home office equipments I went to use my iPad 2. There was a minor problem starting up, it took several tries to get the slider. From that point, every time I got the Hello screen following reboot/power up. I pushed the slider and up pops my numeric login screen. after entering the proper code up comes the Choose a Wi-Fi Network. Select my network and up pops the Could Not Activate iPad screen (as intreated earlier). This tells me that I am getting to my Airport but not sure what else is happening but definitively not getting on the internet.

This is where everything is stalled since nothing else can happen until the Activation Sequence is completed.

Sparkgapper

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Answer 4

ember1205

Level 2

189 points

Apr 21, 2016 2:51 PM in response to Sparkgapper

Have you tried connecting it to iTunes on a computer instead of running the entire activation process from the iPad?

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Answer 5

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Apr 21, 2016 6:09 PM in response to Sparkgapper

There have been a number of problems with the ipad 2 and 9.x. There not getting any better with 9.3. This brickish behavior mostly occur when you upgrade ios.

I didn't think the iPad phoned home every time it was powered on but I shouldn't be surprised. I have not experience this problem.

There are a number of google hits on the problem:

"Your iPad could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached."

seems to have a reasonable list of things to do.

http://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-fix-iphone-activation-errors/

Just bought the new ipad, but I get the following message:"Your ipad could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached. Try connecting your ipad to itunes to activate it, or try again in a couple of minutes"

Apple's ideas:

If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 6

Sparkgapper Author

Level 1

61 points

Apr 21, 2016 6:08 PM in response to rccharles

This replies to both since you both gave essentially the same information.

Reading the article link gave the exact process for connecting to iTunes which actually worked other than a couple of bobbles activating iTunes. Once that came up, the iPad went directly into the previous apps pages and iTunes showed all the info for the iPad other than the date of the upgrade to iOS 9.3.1.

Do not know what happened or HOW iTunes activated it because this is the first time I have seen that Backup/Restore capability and had never put it into ops.

Tks to both of you

Sparkgapper

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