iPad Could Not Be Activated? Here's How to Fix

Fix 1. Wait for a while

Sometimes, the Apple servers won't be responsive when a vast number of users try to activate their iOS devices simultaneously. Therefore, it is recommended to wait for a few minutes and then try again.

Fix 2. Check Apple's System Status Page

The error also arises when the Apple servers go under the maintenance. Typically, the server maintenance lasts for a few minutes. The good thing is that you can check whether the server is under maintenance or not. To check it, go to the Apple System Status page. In this page, you can view a list of recent outages and updates from Apple. If the icon next to "iOS Device Activation" isn't green, then it indicates that the server is now under maintenance and all you need to do is wait patiently until it turns green.

Fix 3. Connect to A Reliable Wi-Fi Network

The iPad activation process will only work if your device has a stable internet connection. You can disconnect the network and reconnect it after a few minutes or connect your iPad to another network that is stable and reliable. If it is the network that is causing trouble, then the problem will surely be fixed.

Fix 4. Perform a Restart or Hard Reset

If the error still continues, then the next resort is to perform a hard reset. Hard resetting the iPad would resolve all the issues on your iPad, including the software & network glitches. Follow the steps below to perform a hard reset on your iPad.

• Press & hold the home & sleep/wake button simultaneously.
• Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Fix 5. Take Out the SIM Card

Sometimes, a malfunctioning sim card may cause the activation server cannot be reached. It is widely reported that removing and reinserting the sim card solves the iPad activation errors. You can take the assistance of a paperclip to pull the sim card from the iPad. If the technique works, then consider purchasing a new sim card.

Fix 6. Activate your iPad Using iTunes

If your iPad is still stuck on the your iPad could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached error, you can take the help of iTunes to activate it. Before commencing, ensure that you have updated iTunes to the latest version to avoid any unknown problems. Follow the steps below to activate the iPad using iTunes.

1. Step 1. Launch iTunes on your computer, then connect the iPad to the computer.
2. Step 2. Wait for iTunes to detect and activate your iPad.
3. Step 3. If iTunes displays the message "Set up as New" or "Restore from Backup", it indicates that iTunes has activated your iPad successfully.

Fix 7. Remove the Activation Lock via iCloud

Activation lock is a pretty handy feature that prevents your iOS devices from being wiped or restored without your permission. You will be required to remove the activation lock before setting up a new account. Before starting, make sure to power off your device. Here's the step-by-step guide to remove the activation lock via iCloud. 

1. Step 1. Go to icloud.com, then log in with your Apple ID.
2. Step 2. Click "All Devices" and then select the iPad from the list that needs to be activated.
3. Step 3. Next, select "Remove from Account".



4. Step 4. That's it. Now power on your iPad and try to activate it again.

Fix 8. Restore Your iPadOS to A Stable Version

One of the most likely reasons for iPad activation error is that it might be running iOS beta software. The iOS beta software isn't stable as the other officially released versions of iOS. Therefore, it's recommended to restore your iPad to a stable iOS version. All you need to do is log in to your developer account and ensure that the correct UDID is registered for your device. If the problem is because of the iOS beta version, then restore your iPad to the latest stable version by using iTunes.