It can be very frustrating when you realize that your gadgets are not working, especially when you need them to work the most. We completely understand this; we know that external devices make our technology more useful, which is why it can be very frustrating when your iPad keyboard crashes or stops working.
In this article we discuss a few solutions to your iPad keyboard not working. We mention step-by-step guides that will help you run your iPad keyboard normally again.
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How to fix an onscreen keyboard not working on iPad
The on-screen keyboard on iPad is a built-in keyboard system. You should not have any problems with it while using your iPad. However, we have noticed in some scenarios, the on-screen keyboard either stops working or begins to glitch. This can be due to various reasons. We have mentioned a few solutions to this problem below. We are confident that these solutions will help you get your on-screen keyboard running again.
1. Disable External Keyboard
The external keyboard is the keyboard that you attach to your iPad. This is not a built-in keyboard. Sometimes these keyboards can cause problems in accessing your built-in keyboard. If you have used an external keyboard recently, your iPad may still be trying to use that keyboard instead of its built-in Keyboard.
This is a common problem that we have heard several users complain about. The answer to this problem is to completely disable your external Keyboard. If you are the kind of person who keeps the extension that comes with the external keyboard attached to your iPad even when the external keyboard is turned off, we recommend you safely eject the extension USB or wire from your iPad.
If this is not the case and you use a bluetooth keyboard, we recommend disconnecting your external Keyboard from your Bluetooth. In some cases, you may even have to turn off your Bluetooth or completely unpair your external keyboard from your bluetooth devices. Doing this is easy.
- Go to Settings
- Enter into Bluetooth Settings
- Find your external keyboard device
- Click on the “i” button
- Hit “Forget this Device”.
2. Restart or Force-Restart iPad
Usually, the case of your iPad keyboard not working is simply a minor glitch. These glitches often happen in technological devices; there’s nothing new in that. To eliminate this problem, you can always resort to a more straightforward solution: restart your iPad, switch it off and restart it again. This method works eight times out of ten. We are confident if a glitch is keeping your Keyboard from working, this simple method will make your problem fly away.
If your iPad has a Home button, to restart your iPad, you must press and hold the Home and Power button until you see your iPad screen blacking out. To restart your iPad, follow the same process until you see the Apple logo appears.
If your iPad does not have a Home button, press and hold the Power button until you see your screen completely turning black and shutting down. To restart your iPad, press and hold the Power button again until you see the Apple logo appearing on the screen.
When you restart a device, you are essentially wiping it clean. When you restart it, you give your device more space to breathe as it has had the time to cool down and recompose itself. We recommend you try this method first before doing anything else.
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3. Update Your iPad
One reason your iPad is not functioning the way it is meant to work is that you haven’t installed the latest update. Security updates ensure your device is running smoothly every few months. These updates clear glitches and minor bugs in the system. Not updating the latest software can be a primary reason why your iPad keyboard is not working and you notice your device slowing down.
You can check whether your device is running the latest update by following the steps below:
- Go to the “Settings” menu
- Go to the “General” option
- Look for “Software Update” and click on it
- There you will be notified whether your device needs an update or not. If your device requires an update, click on the “Download and Install” button on the screen below.
Often we have seen a device acting weirdly when the user refrains from updating it to its latest software.
Give this method a try. If the device hints you to a new software update, immediately download it for better performance from your device.
4. Check Third-Party Keyboard(s)
Sometimes, if the built-in Keyboard on your iPad stops working, you can download third-party keyboards to continue working on your iPad. The most common third-party keyboards for iPad are Gboard and Flesky. Both of these keyboards are available for you to download on the App Store.
After downloading the Keyboard, you may be prompted to switch from your apple keyboard to the third-party Keyboard. Selecting your preferred keyboard option will make your keyboard work as usual. However, if you are not prompted to do this, you will have to make the changes manually.
To do this, you must:
- First, go to Settings
- Then head to “General.”
- From there, select the “Keyboard” option
- After that, hit “Add New Keyboard.”
On the contrary, if you have noticed, at times, that the downloaded keyboards become the reason for your iPad keyboard not working. We recommend you uninstall them from your iPad as they could be messing with your in-built Keyboard and rendering it incapable of functioning correctly. You can uninstall these keyboards by heading to your App Store library, finding the Keyboard, and pressing “Uninstall”.
5. Try a iPadOS Repair Tool
iPadOS glitches and bugs like these can prevent your iPad keyboard from working. In times like these we recommend you use Tenorshare Reiboot software to reboot your device and eliminate all glitches and bugs infesting your device.
Tenorshare Reiboot is a software application you can download on your PC. It is available to download for Windows and Mac OS from their official website.
Here are a few quick steps to help you start using Tenorshare Reiboot software:
- You can download Tenorshare Reiboot software from their official website or from the link below.
- To connect your device, click on “Repair Operating System”.
- Then, click on “Fix Now” This will prompt Reiboot to install the latest firmware software.
- The last action you need to perform is hit “Repair Now” to fully repair your IOS system.
Tenorshare Reiboot helps you solve all your iPad problems without losing any data. You can reboot your iPad, restore your data, and recover your iPad from Blue Screen or Apple loop. All these are very common in digital devices, and Tenorshare Reiboot is the right answer to beat all these problems. Download it today, and you will understand why this is such a useful software application.
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How to fix an external keyboard not working on iPad
If your iPad keyboard problem persists due to external keyboards like smart Keyboard or magic Keyboard, you will find the necessary solutions to your issue down below.
1. Check for Compatibility
Not all external keyboards are compatible with the iPad. If your iPad keyboard is not working, chances are you own a keyboard that is incompatible with your current iPad model. For example, magic keyboards are only compatible with 4th and 5th-generation iPad Air. Whereas when it comes to iPad Pro, they are compatible with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation iPad.
It is better to look at whether your external Keyboard is compatible with your iPad model before you make the purchase. You can always look at their official website if you cannot find any details on the box. If you are purchasing a magic keyboard, you can look at what iPad is compatible with it on Apple’s official website.
2. Clean the Connector
Your connecter can often be the problem why your iPad keyboard is not working. A connecter is the three metal contact holes that connect with your iPad. This connecter connects your external Keyboard with your iPad. If your connecter is dusty or wet, you may face issues with connecting your external Keyboard to your iPad.
We suggest you unplug your Keyboard and clean the connecter properly. Make sure there are no dust particles, residue, or water clinging to the connecter, as that may cause problems in establishing a proper connection.
You can use isopropyl residue to clean the dust on your external keyboard connecter.
- First, clean the connecter using a dust-proof napkin
- Then, apply 2 drops of isopropyl residue on the connecter using some cotton
- Using the cotton, try to remove the dirt blanketing the connector
After doing this, we recommend you wait for at least twenty to thirty minutes for the residue to do its job. After that, you can clean the connector using a napkin and then try connecting it with your iPad and using your external Keyboard. If dust was the problem, we are confident after following these steps; your Keyboard should work.
3. Disconnect and Reconnect Keyboard
If the problem regarding your iPad keyboard, not working persists, we would suggest you disconnect your iPad keyboard and try reconnecting it. This is like restarting your iPad; it wipes out all the glitches causing you problems.
You can try switching off the Keyboard and turning it back on in around five minutes for better results. Make sure that you have disconnected the external Keyboard properly. If it connects using Bluetooth, make sure you have turned off your Bluetooth connection. You can also try unpairing the device from your Bluetooth connection and repairing it with your iPad.
4. Reset Network Settings
Sometimes the reason for your iPad keyboard not working can be the Network Settings. If your Network Settings are corrupted, you can face all sorts of issues; your external Keyboard not working is one of them. To solve this problem, you can quickly reset your Network Settings.
To do this, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Head to your iPad “Settings”.
- From there, go to “General”.
- After that, select the “Transfer or Reset iPad” option
- Tap on “Reset Network Settings”. Doing this will reset your Network Settings and clear any issues you face. This should help you get your external Keyboard working again.
5. Charge the Keyboard or Replace Batteries
If your iPad keyboard is not working, maybe it has run out of charge or battery. Try connecting your external Keyboard to a power outlet or try changing the batteries. This should solve most of your problems and get your iPad keyboard working again.
iPad keyboard still not working? Get it repaired or replaced.
If your iPad keyboard not working problem continues, and all the above solutions cannot make your iPad work, we suggest you either get your iPad repaired or replaced. You can quickly get a replacement from the Apple Store. You can also get it repaired at the Apple Store, which may cost you less money than having to replace it.
FAQs
Why has my iPad keyboard stopped working?
There can be various reasons why you are facing issues with your iPad keyboard. One reason can be that you have not yet updated your iPad software. Failing to update your software can cause a few glitches that can render some features of your device to stop performing the way they are meant to perform.
What keyboards are compatible with my iPad?
This largely depends on which iPad you own and what Keyboard you are planning to buy or already have. Many keyboards are compatible with iPads, such as Magic keyboard, Smart Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio. Besides that, other keyboards are compatible as well. You can know this by checking the packaging box or visiting their official website.
Final words
We hope this article has helped you with your iPad keyboard not working problem. We know this can be a significant issue that can significantly deter your user experience with your iPad. All the solutions mentioned and recommended in this article above are only recommended after using them and implementing them first. We are confident that these solutions will help you battle your problems and get your iPad keyboard working again in no time.
Remember to save this article for future reference and share it with anyone who is facing similar issues. We would love to be of help to more people.
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