iPad 7th gen stuck on Apple logo and restore screen

Start by connecting your iPad to its Power Adapter and allow the iPad to charge for at least an hour - or preferably overnight. This step is advised as a battery with very low charge, or is failing, may produce symptoms that emulate a boot loop.

If the problem fails to stabilise, whilst still connected to the Power Adapter, attempt a forced restart of the iPad:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

If iPad still doesn’t turn on, or if it gets stuck during start up, see the Apple Support article If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't turn on or is frozen. Or if your iPad isn’t working correctly after you restart it, see the iPad Support website.

If your iPad is stuck is actually stuck in a boot-loop, you’ll need to resolve this specific issue - which may entail “restoring” the most recent version of iPadOS to the iPad. This support page outlines restoration of an iPad to Factory Settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod to factory settings – Apple Support

You’ll need access to either a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed - or more recent Apple Devices App) or a Mac computer (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Use of a PC or Mac computer may be unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) will be delighted to assist.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Presumably your iPad indicates that it must be restored:

If you see the Restore screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

These support pages outline the available methods to restore an iPad - either from a backup, or to Factory Settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch from a backup – Apple Support

Restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod to factory settings – Apple Support

Restore all content to iPad from a backup - Apple Support

You’ll need access to either a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed - or more recent Apple Devices App) or a Mac computer (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of macOS).

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Use of a PC or Mac computer is unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) will be delighted to assist.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

For your iPad 7th gen. Unfortunately the only solution is to completely restore your iPad in iTunes and as a result you may loose your data if you have not backed up your iPad. you'll need to install the latest version of iOS 18 to restore and speaking of ipsw.me it is safe but I would highly recommend letting iTunes download and fetch the ipsw.

Has anything else happened here with a beta or some other update or some other change made to this iPad 7th gen? Did something that happened here possibly precipitate this problem, or was this failure spontaneous?

If the Mac won’t download iPadOS 18.5, restart the Mac and the Wi-Fi router and try again. If that fails, remove any add-on VPN apps, any add-on security apps, any add-on cleaner apps, add-on firewall apps, or other such, restart, and try again.

PS: Use of iTunes was replaced by Finder in macOS 10.15 Catalina and later, including on macOS 11 Big Sur.