iPad Stuck on Loading Screen? Try These 7 Fixes

Sometimes when you're using your iPad, the screen can suddenly go black with a spinning wheel on the screen. This is a common problem that is often referred to as an iPad getting stuck on the loading screen.

If this is what you are experiencing, we have a list of troubleshooting solutions that may be very useful to you.

Why is My iPad Stuck on the Loading Screen?

There are a lot of reasons why your iPad may be stuck on the loading screen. The following are the most common of them:

• Your iPad may be running out of the storage.
• You recently updated the device and the update process may have failed.
• You restored the iPad and there was a problem with the backup file that you used for the restore.
• Acorrupt data transfer or corrupt file on the device.
• You have jailbroken your iPad which can lead to many software issues.
• The hardware issue causes changes in the operating system or the files on the device.

Force Restart Your iPad

Since it will sometimes work to resolve the issue or at the very least give you access to your device, we recommend that you start with a force restart. Even if it works temporarily, you can backup your data before attempting any more solutions. Here's how to force restart your iPad:

For iPads with Face ID or Touch ID in the Top Button

• Step 1: Press and very quickly release the Volume Button that is closest to the Top Button.
• Step 2: Press and then very quickly release the other Volume Button.
• Step 3: Press and hold the Top Button. Release it when the Apple logo appears.

For iPads with a Home Button

• Step 1: Press and hold the Top Button and the Home Button at the same time.  
• Step 2: Release both buttons when the Apple Logo appears on the screen.

Check the USB Cable and Port, Then Charge Your iPad

If the problem occurred while transferring data or restoring the device in iTunes, it may be very important to check the USB cable you are using as well as the USB port. You may even benefit from trying to use a different USB cable or connecting the iPad to a different USB port on the device.

If you are unable to determine the problem or a new USB cable still presents problems, you can try to use a different computer. After that we recommend that you plug your iPad in to a charger and let it charge for a while before trying to restart it.

Update Your iPad's Software Using iTunes

Having outdated software on your iPad can also cause problems with the device's function which may in turn cause it to get stuck on the loading screen.

Since you are unable to update the device via settings, you can use these steps to update it in iTunes:

• Step 1: Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on the computer. Connect the iPad to the computer and then open iTunes.
• Step 2: Select the iPad in the top-left corner and then go to the "Summary" tab.
• Step 3: Click on "Check for Updates" and if updates are available, click "Download and Install" to update the device. Restart the iPad when the update is complete.

You will only be able to use iTunes to update the device if iTunes can detect the connected iPad. This may not be possible if the iPad is unresponsive.

Fix Your iPad Effectively with TinyFix

If the above 3 solutions fails to work, we suggest that you try an iOS system repair tool such as TinyFix, which is one of the best troubleshooters that can help you get to the bottom of the issue and repair your iPad in minutes, even if you are unsure of what is causing the problem.

This program is specifically designed to repair up to all common kinds of iPadOS issues and even provides a safe and simple platform to refresh the operating system on the device without any issues and data loss.

What's more, it is compatible with all iPad models and all versions of iPadOS and it also has a simple user interface that can make the repair process very simple.

Here's how easy it is to restore your iPad to normal function using TinyFix:

• Step 1: Download and install TinyFix on to your computer.
• Step 2: Open it and then select "iOS System Repair" in the main window. Connect the device to the computer and then click "Start."
• Step 3: Choose "Standard Repair Mode" and when prompted.
• Step 4: Click on the "Download" option to download the firmware needed to fix the device.
• Step 5: Click "Fix Now" after the download is complete. TinyFix will repair the iPad and it will restart in normal mode as soon as the repair is complete.

Put iPad in Recovery Mode Manually

Manually putting your iPad in recovery mode can be a great way to resolve any stuck issues on your iPad. The process is different for the different iPad models.  Here's how to do it:

For iPads with Face ID:

• Step 1: Press and Hold down the Power (Sleep/Wake) button at the top of the device and the Volume Dow button at the same time.
• Step 2: When you see the "Slide to Power Off" slider appear on the screen, drag the slider to the right to turn off the device.
• Step 3: While holding the Power Button, use a USB cable to connect the iPad to the computer. Continue to hold the button until the recovery mode screen appears.

For iPads with a Home Button:

• Step 1: Press and hold the Power button at the top of the device. Drag the slider to the right to turn off the device.
• Step 2: While still holding the Power button, connect the iPad to the computer using USB cables.
• Step 3: Now press and hold the Home Button and keep pressing it until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.

iTunes will prompt you to restore or update the device. Choose "Update" first and allow iTunes to install the latest iPadOS.

If you are unable to update the device, choose "Restore" and iTunes will erase the device and restore it to factory settings.

DFU Restore Your iPad

If all other solutions don't fix the issues, you can try the deepest form of restore possible, Device Firmware Update (DFU) restore. DFU is different from all other forms of restore in that it will reload the iPad's firmware, not just the software. This is especially essential if hardware malfunctions are affecting the software function of the device as firmware reprogramming can control how the hardware works.

Because this solution is often considered too much, Apple doesn't provide the steps you need to perform a DFU restore. But iMore has described the entire process in this article previously. If the process doesn't work, come back here for additional solutions.

Repair Options

If none of the solutions above fixes the device, it is time to consider getting the device repaired by a professional. If the iPad is still under warranty, Apple should cover the cost of the repair as long as the device doesn't have any additional damage.

Usually, if you find the software fixes we have recommended above are not working, it means that there is liquid or physical damage that may require closer scrutiny. Apple should solve the issue for you as they can very easily replace any hardware parts that may be causing the problem.

Wrap Up

Of all the common iPad stuck issues, an iPad stuck on the loading screen is one of the most common. And as you can see from the solutions above, you can overcome this problem.

Start with a force restart and then implement the more complex solutions as needed: just be sure to follow the instructions outlined above.