How to fix an iPad Pro that keeps restarting on its own, stuck in Bootloops

Seldom will you hear of an iPhone or iPad giving into performance problems like symptoms of random restarts or infinite boot loops. Nevertheless, these problems are inevitable and therefore possible to occur. Highlighted below are a few helpful workarounds and potential solutions to a similar issue on the iPad Pro (2018) tablet that’s restarting on its own. Read on and get help.

Random restarts or infinite bootloop in mobile devices are often transpiring among other symptoms of performance problems usually from wear-and-tear and damaged components. In early devices, random restarts are also attributed to memory issues like when the device storage is running low. Corrupted system files, software bugs and malwares are also among the possible triggers, especially when the symptom occurs on recently updated and new devices. Given the fact that the underlying causes involved software and hardware components, it is but imperative to perform some basic troubleshooting to eliminate software-related factors from the possible triggers. 

But before anything else, if you have another issue with your phone, drop by our troubleshooting page as we have already addressed hundreds of issues reported by the owners. Odds are that there are already existing solutions on our website or at least, there are similar problems we already fixed. So, try to find ones that are similar or related to your problem. If you need further assistance, however, feel free to contact us by filling up our iPad issues questionnaire.

Troubleshooting iPad Pro that keeps restarting on its own

Before troubleshooting, check the current memory status of your iPad Pro. This is a must-do if you’re fond of downloading huge apps and files. 

• To check the available memory of your iPad Pro, go to Settings-> General-> iPad Storage menu and then see more details of the available storage space. 

If it’s below 1GB, then you need to free up some space because the memory is running low. When the memory is low, performance issues such as sluggishness, random crashes, and unresponsiveness usually follow. 

If the internal memory isn’t an issue, then follow these subsequent procedures to continue.

First solution: Force restart your iPad Pro.

Stuck problems in iOS devices that are triggered by minor app glitches and system errors are usually remedied by performing a forced restart. This method works the same as a soft reset when it comes to resolving random system inflicted by minor glitches and data corruption. It is a simulated battery-removal process that’s carried out when a device suddenly becomes unresponsive. It doesn’t result in permanent data loss as it doesn’t affect any saved information on the internal storage. Here’s how to force restart your iPad Pro:

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Then, press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.

Allow your iPad to finish its boot-up sequence and then try to use it as you normally do to see if the problem is fixed. 

ALSO READ: Fix an iPad Pro 2018 that won’t download new apps from the App Store

Second solution: Update all apps on your iPad Pro.

If your iPad is able to boot up from forced restart, try to check for any pending updates to download and install on your iPad Pro. This will help eliminate rogue apps from the possible triggers. Apps that are prone to going rogue are usually those that aren’t up to date. So here’s what you should do next.

1. Tap App Store from the Home screen to open the App Store app.
2. Then scroll down to the bottom of the App Store screen and tap on Updates. A list of apps with pending updates will show up on the next screen.
3. Tap the Update button next to the name of the app to update individual apps.
4. Tap the Update All button on the upper-right side of the screen to update all apps at once.

The above process requires your device to have a stable Internet connection, ample storage space and about 50 percent battery life. 

After updating all apps, reboot the iPad to refresh its system and clear out junk files from its memory cache.

Third solution: Reset all settings on your iPad Pro.

Adverse behaviours that instigate from an iOS update are normally corrected by resetting all settings on your device. This reset erases all customized settings including update overrides that had caused conflicts to system functions or services. It doesn’t require you to create backups beforehand because this reset won’t affect saved information on the internal memory. You can try this method if your iPad Pro managed to boot up after performing a forced restart. You may start whenever you’re all set to reset all settings on your iPad Pro:

1. Tap Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down and tap on Reset.
4. Choose Reset all settings from the given options.
5. Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
6. Finally, tap the option to confirm all settings reset.

When the reset is finished, your iPad restarts automatically and then loads up the original values and options. This means the need for you to re-enable the features that are disabled by default so you can use them again on your device.

ALSO READ: How to fix an iPad Pro that has no sound or audio output

Fourth solution: Update iOS in iTunes.

Aside from app updates, installing the latest iOS version available for your iPad Pro is also recommended. Aside from providing new features, iOS updates also embed fix patches or codes that are programmed to eliminate existing system bugs that caused stubborn symptoms like recurring boot loops or random restarts. A better way to update an iOS device in this state is through iTunes. You will need to use a Mac or Windows computer to carry out this update process. Once everything is set, follow these steps to start check for and updating your iPad Pro:

1. Connect your iPad to the computer using the Apple-supplied USB cable.
2. Open iTunes on the computer then select your iPad when it shows up.
3. Then click the Summary section on the left side of the iTunes main screen.
4. Click the button to Check for Update.
5. If an iOS update is available, click the command to Download and Update. 
6. Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
7. Then follow the rest of the onscreen commands to finish updating. 

When the iOS update installation is complete, you can disconnect your iPad from the computer. Then reboot the iPad to save the recent system changes and likewise to refresh apps and services.

Fifth solution: Restore your iPad Pro in recovery mode.

Major system errors including post-update bugs and associated symptoms that could not be rectified by a factory reset are usually addressed by a recovery mode restore. This process however may result in permanent data loss, so backing up of important files to iTunes is highly recommended. Once you’re all set, follow these steps to put your iPad Pro in recovery mode and restore iOS in iTunes:

1. Connect your iPad Pro to the computer using the USB/Lightning cable.
2. When your iPad is connected, open iTunes on your computer.
3. Then on your iPad Pro, quick-press and release the Volume Up button.
4. Now, quick-press and release the Volume Up button. 
5. Finally, press and hold the Power button until the Recovery Mode screen (Connect to iTunes screen) appears.

You will then see an iTunes message saying that it has found your device in recovery mode. Just follow the onscreen commands and controls to Restore your iPad Pro. The restore process may take longer depending on the iOS file that you’re going to restore from and other factors like system file download duration. Just wait until the process is complete and then you can exit recovery mode by performing a forced restart on your iPad Pro. By then it is safe to disconnect your iPad from the computer.

Last resort: Restore your iPad in DFU mode.

If the recovery mode restore still failed to correct the error and your iPad Pro continues to restart on its own, performing a DFU mode restore can be considered among the last options. This is the deepest type of iOS restore you can do to fix and repair major system errors including a totally corrupted iOS. Again you will use iTunes on a computer to get this restore done so be sure to ready your equipment. Then proceed to these steps whenever you’re ready to put your iPad Pro in DFU mode then carry out a thorough system repair and restore through iTunes:

1. Connect your iPad to the computer using the original USB cable.
2. Open iTunes on your computer.
3. Quick-press and release the Volume Up button.
4. Then quick-press and release the Volume Down button.
5. Now, press and hold the Power button until the iPad screen turns black. 
6. After 10 seconds, press and hold the Volume Down button while still holding down the Power button for another 5 seconds.
7. After 5 seconds, release the Power button but keep holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.

At this point, iTunes will display an alert message saying that it has detected an iPad in recovery mode and that you must restore this iPad before it can be used with iTunes. This message prompt should serve as a clue that your iPad has already entered DFU mode and is ready for iOS repair and system restore through iTunes.

Does your iPad Pro continue to restart on its own?

This is likely an indication of a major system issue on the device if not, a damaged component. Performing the above procedures is usually enough to rectify minor and major system errors as well as eliminate other software-related factors that caused the iPad to act up. At this point, you may consider utilizing alternative iOS repair and recovery software. There are actually a lot of applications that are programmed to carry out the same functions or even more with iTunes. These tools are created by third-party developers to address widespread iOS problems that are tied to fatal system errors. Similar to iTunes, third-party iOS repair tools can be downloaded on a compatible computer either Windows or Mac for as long as the minimum system requirements are met. Just search for and pick the preferred tool to use and install it on your computer. And when the software is ready, connect your iPad Pro to the computer just like what you did when using iTunes and then launch the software. Wait until your device syncs with your iOS repair software then follow the onscreen commands to instigate system repair and restore process.

Other owners of iOS device who have encountered the same problem were able to find ultimate solution by removing and reinstalling the SIM card on their respective devices. It turned out that dislodged or loose SIM card can also trigger the device to act up like this. 

Taking a trip to a service center is also an option if you suspect that the problem is attributed to hardware damage. Your device might have obtained some port of physical or liquid damage from previous incidents of dropping or liquid exposure. 

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