[Solved] How to Fix iPad Won't Restore or Update in Minutes?

Restoring or updating iPad with iTunes quickly fixes all sorts of iOS glitches or minor bugs free of charge. iTunes is always a wonderful choice to get your device out of the issue whenever your iPad gets stuck, becomes slow, or develops other software errors. However, what to do if the iPad will not restore with iTunes? Do you have any good ideas?

If you are experiencing the iPad won't restore issue at this moment, read the seven possible methods below to troubleshoot the trouble step by step.

Part 1. Why iPad Won't Restore?

If your iPad is unable to restore or update, the following are some possible reasons:

• Software issues: iOS system update failure, jailbreak failure, app conflicts, etc., can all lead to the inability to restore an iPad.
• Hardware problems: A damaged USB cable, faulty computer USB port, iPad hardware malfunction, etc., can also affect the restoration process.
• Outdated iTunes or Finder version: Using an old version of iTunes or Finder for the restoration process may result in compatibility issues.

Part 2. What Do You Do When Your iPad Won't Restore?

When encountering an iPad that won't restore from iTunes, you can try the following methods to resolve the issue.

Fix 1. Force Restart the iPad and Computer

When the iPad cannot be restored with iTunes, the first way that occurs to you must be force restarting your device.

Force restart iPad without a Home button:

• Press and quickly release the "Volume" button closest to the "Top" button.
• Press and quickly release the "Volume" button farthest from the "Top" button.
• Press and hold the "Top" button until your device restarts automatically.
• Release the "Top" button.

Force restart iPad with a Home button:

• Press and hold the "Top/Side" + "Home" buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
• Release both buttons.

For a Windows PC: Click the "Start" button at the lower-left corner > tap the "Power" button > "Restart".

For a Mac: Tap the "Apple icon" at the top-left corner and select the "Restart" option on the drop-down menu.

Fix 2. Change a Different USB Cable or Computer

If your iPad cannot connect to the computer properly or the connection is unstable, it may lead to a failed restoration. When attempting to restore from iTunes, you may see the message "iPad cannot be restored" or "iPad cannot be restored or updated". At this time, try to restore it using a different Apple USB cable or computer, or switch to a different USB port, and don't connect your keyboard. If the problem is port or cable-related, you will successfully resolve it. Otherwise, continue reading the following ways.

Fix 3. Update the iTunes Version

If you haven't updated iTunes on your PC or Mac for a long time, the outdated version of iTunes can't restore your iPad successfully. To fix this, you can update iTunes to the latest version on your computer.

On Windows PC: Run iTunes > click "Check for Updates" under the "Help" section in the iTunes window > follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest version of iTunes.

On Mac: Click the "Apple menu" at the upper-left corner > "App Store" > "Updates" to update the software on your Mac. If there's an available iTunes update, hit "Update".

Fix 4. Put the iPad into Recovery Mode

Another way to fix the iPad won't restore issue is putting your iPad in recovery mode. In recovery mode, iTunes can reinstall the iOS system to help resolve device issues.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Ensure that your Mac runs the latest operating system. If you are using iTunes, make sure you have installed the latest version of iTunes.

Step 2. On macOS Catalina and later, open Finder. On macOS Mojave or earlier or PC, run iTunes. If iTunes is already open, close it and then open it again.

Step 3. Connect your iPad to the computer and wait until the recovery mode screen turns up:

For an iPad without a Home button:

• Press and quickly release the "Volume" button closest to the "Top" button.
• Press and quickly release the "Volume" button farthest from the "Top" button.
• Press and hold the "Top" button until the recovery mode screen appears.

For an iPad with a Home button:

• Press and hold the "Home" + "Top/Side" buttons together.
• Keep holding the buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.

Step 4. When it displays the option to "Restore" or "Update", select "Restore".

Fix 5. Put iPad into DFU Mode

If the iPad won't restore in recovery mode, DFU mode is a deeper repair option that can fix the issue of being unable to restore.

Here is how to fix iPad stuck in recovery mode and won't restore:

Step 1. Open iTunes or Finder and connect the iPad to the computer using a USB cable.

Step 2. Put your iPad into DFU mode.

• For iPad with a Home button: Press and hold the "Power" button and "Home" button simultaneously for 10 seconds. Release the "Power" button but continue holding the "Home" button for an additional 5 seconds, until a message appears in iTunes indicating that an iPad in recovery mode has been detected.
• For iPad with Face ID: Quickly press and release the "Volume Up" button, then press and release the "Volume Down" button. Press and hold the "Power" button for 10 seconds until the screen turns black. Then, hold both the "Power" button and the "Volume Down" button for another 5 seconds. Release the "Power" button while continuing to hold the "Volume Down" button until iTunes shows that an iPad in recovery mode has been detected.

Step 3. When the message appears stating that iTunes has detected an iPad in recovery mode and you need to restore it, click "OK" to proceed with the restoration.

Fix 6. Use iPad System Repair

Suppose the common ways cannot get the iPad won't restore issue resolved. In that case, we highly recommend iPad System Repair for you. The most professional iOS system repair tool enables you to fix a wide range of iOS system issues, such as iPad won't restore to factory settings, iPad won't restore in DFU mode, etc., without data loss.

The key features of iPad System Repair:

• Repair iPad won't restore issue without data loss.
• Fix more than 30 kinds of iOS system problems in a few clicks: Get stuck on Apple logo/recovery mode/DFU mode, frozen screen, blue/red/black/white screen of death, iTunes error 50/4013, activation problem, etc.
• The easiest and safest repair plan for all iOS devices.
• Support all iPad models (iOS 18 compatible), like the latest iPad Pro M4, iPad Air M2, iPad mini A17 Pro, etc.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to use iPad System Repair to fix iPad won't restore or update:

Fix 7. Contact Apple Support

If all the above methods cannot help you, contact Apple Support for help or take your iPad to the nearest Apple Store. Before paying your visit, ensure to make an appointment in advance and bring the purchase receipt if your device is still under warranty.

Sum Up

Although the iPad won't restore issue bothers you much, you can easily solve the problem yourself with the above troubleshooting methods. And you can directly jump to the intelligent tool iPad System Repair. After a trial, you will find it saves you much time to fix the issue and won't cause data loss. Moreover, it has a much higher success rate of bringing your iPad to normal than any other common solution.

Even though it fails, it's never too late to send your iPad to Apple Store for professional repair. What do you think?

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