Keyboard iPad not working? Here’s how to solve it

You are ready to use your iPad, but to your surprise, your iPad’s keyboard does not work as it should. Whether you rely on the software keyboard or use an external (Bluetooth) keyboard, a non-working keyboard can be quite annoying. In this blog, we discuss possible causes and offer solutions to get the keyboard on your iPad working properly again.

Software Keyboard (in your screen) does not work

Is your “on-screen” keyboard not working? This is often a software-related problem. A Bluetooth-enabled device may be connected to the iPad. Your iPad then thinks you want to use this input device as a keyboard and hides the keyboard on your screen. Disable your Bluetooth to test if this fixes the problem. Is this not the case? Try the following steps.

Restart your iPad:

• A common but often effective solution to software keyboard problems is a simple reboot. Turn your iPad off and on again.

Check the settings:

• Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ > ‘Keyboard’ and make sure the switch at ‘Keyboard’ is on. Here you can also set the language and keyboard type.

Reset the dictionary:

• There may be problems with your keyboard’s dictionary. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ > ‘Keyboard’ > ‘Reset Dictionary’.

Check for iOS updates:

• Make sure you have the latest version of iOS installed. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can fix keyboard issues.

Bluetooth Keyboard does not work

Are you using a keyboard that connects with Bluetooth such as a Logitech keyboard? Try these steps:

Check the Bluetooth connection:

• For Bluetooth keyboards, a stable connection is crucial. Go to “Settings” > “Bluetooth” and make sure Bluetooth is enabled. Also check that your keyboard is paired.

Reboot the Bluetooth keyboard:

• Turn your Bluetooth keyboard off and on again. This may fix the connection problem.

Check the battery:

• An obvious but often overlooked cause of problems is a dead battery. Check the battery status of your Bluetooth keyboard and charge it if necessary.

Remove and pair again:

• If the keyboard still doesn’t work, remove the pairing on your iPad and pair the keyboard again. Go to “Settings” > “Bluetooth,” select your keyboard and choose “Forget this device.

Check for firmware updates:

• Refer to the Bluetooth keyboard documentation to see if firmware updates are available. These updates can fix problems and improve performance.

Apple Smart or Magic Keyboard does not work

The Apple original keyboard, also known as the Smart Keyboard or the Magic Keyboard (depending on the model), may also experience problems. Here are some specific steps you can follow if the Apple original keyboard on your iPad is not working properly:

Check the physical connection:

• Make sure the Apple keyboard is properly connected to your iPad. For the Smart Keyboard models, there is a Smart Connector on the side of the iPad to which the keyboard must be attached. For the Magic Keyboard, you use Bluetooth, so make sure Bluetooth is turned on and the keyboard is paired.

Check the charging status:

• If you have a Smart Keyboard, make sure the keyboard is adequately charged. For the Magic Keyboard, you also use the charging cable included with the keyboard.

Restart your iPad:

• A simple restart of your iPad can sometimes help resolve connectivity issues. Turn your iPad off and on again.

Check for software updates:

• Make sure both your iPad and keyboard have the latest available software updates. You do this by going to “Settings,” choosing “General” and then “Software Update.

Pair and reconnect:

• Go to “Settings” > “Bluetooth,” find the Apple keyboard and select “Forget this device. Then re-pair the keyboard.

Restore iPad settings:

• If the keyboard still doesn’t work, consider restoring your iPad’s settings to factory defaults. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ > ‘Reset’ > ‘Restore all settings’. However, this will restore all settings on your iPad to factory settings, so make sure you have a backup.

Problem not fixed?

Unfortunately, did the above steps not help you and would you like advice from a real specialist? Stop by ThePhoneLab-check here for a branch near you. At ThePhoneLab, we always do a free diagnostic first. After this, you are not required to proceed to repair, but of course you can. Make your appointment here: