There are many causes, and it is hard for us to tell why it happened to your device unless we see your actual ipad. Thank you.

yes, plug your ipad into your computer

yes, open itunes

yes, if the “ipad needs to be restored before itunes can use it” message shows up, click ok.

no, do NOT click restore/update just yet…

yes, press and hold the HOME button, and the SLEEP/WAKE button……AND the VOLUME UP button at the same time!

yes, when you see the apple icon, do NOT let go, continue holding until you see itunes logo and cable.

yes, now you can restore/ update your ipad.

if you still get a message saying, it cannot be restored for what ever error code comes up, don’t worry…

plug out your ipad (the itunes logo should remain on the screen)

press and hold the HOME button and the SLEEP/WAKE button (just these 2 this time)

when the itunes logo comes off, continue to hold the buttons until the apple logo shows up. relase the buttons.

apple logo remains on the screen for a few seconds until your ipad turns on.

GOOD AS NEW! i had done the home+sleep+volume combo on an android tablet some time back, and for some reason i remembered it today. without even thinking bout it, i was already giving it a try. that was the first time i saw anything appear on my ipad in days! but then when i went to itunes and they still gave me that “cannot restore message”, i got frustrated and plugged it out. again, i don’t know why, but i just started holding down the home+sleep button for so long, even after itunes logo came off, that i just didn’t want to let go. when the apple logo came on, i let go and just walked away from the thing and started packing up to take it to be repaired. when i got back, it was on! actually on! hope this helps someone else!