7 Things To Try If iPad Keyboard Not Showing Up

Last Updated on September 18, 2023 by Ernests Embutnieks

If you’re anything like me (an all-day iPad user), you’ve probably experienced the frustration of your iPad keyboard mysteriously going AWOL. 

Whether you’re typing up an important email, composing a message, or simply trying to browse the web, a missing keyboard can throw a wrench into your digital life. 

But fear not! In this article, I’m going to share some tried-and-true solutions that have saved my day (and sanity) when facing the dreaded “iPad keyboard not showing up” issue. 

So, go grab your iPad and let’s dive into these quick fixes.

iPad Keyboard Not Showing Up? (7 Solutions)

If you’re facing issues with your iPad’s keyboard not showing up as expected, you can follow these few solutions to resolve the problem and get your keyboard to show up again.

I’ve tried it myself, and I know that these small tips can actually fix your keyboard issue:

1. Reboot the iPad 

The most basic and useful tip for getting your keyboard back on the iPad screen is to soft reset or reboot it:

If you don’t know how to reboot it, follow me: 

1. Hold down the Power button until you see the “slide to power off” slider appear.
2. Slide it to turn off your iPad.
3. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo appears, indicating the device is restarting. 

This most likely will solve your issue.

2. Update the iPad

Sometimes, small glitches or bugs cause the keyboard not to show up, but you can easily fix this by updating the iPad to its newest iPadOS. 

So, if you are not already on the newest update, you can follow me to get to the newest version of iPadOS: 

1. Go to “Settings.”
2. Scroll down and select “General.”
3. Tap “Software Update” to check for any available updates.
4. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it, as updates often include bug fixes.

It’ll take a few minutes to download and install the newest update. 

3. Restart the App

If your keyboard is acting up like this in a specific app, don’t worry: there’s a simple fix! 

Let’s say you’re using the YouTube app, and your keyboard refuses to show up. Here’s what you can do:

First, let’s close the YouTube app. You just need to give it a little swipe-up on the right side of your screen. If you have an older iPad, you can double-tap the Home button and swipe the YouTube app away. On newer iPads, you can swipe up from the bottom to access the App Switcher and then swipe the app away.

Now, reopen the YouTube app. Go ahead and see if your keyboard is back to its usual self, ready to help you search for your favorite cat videos.

4. Delete The Keyboard App (For Third-Party App Users)

Now, I’ve seen a lot of guys using third-party apps like Swiftkey and Gboard. So, if you’re one of them, then maybe your keyboard will trouble you. 

Sometimes deleting the keyboard app can fix this particular problem. Try this: 

1. Open your iPad’s Settings app and scroll down until you find “General.” Give it a tap.
2. Look for “Keyboard” and tap on it. 
3. Now, you’ll see a list of keyboards. To get rid of one, just swipe left on it, and a “Delete” button will pop up. Give that button a tap, and poof! The keyboard is gone.

I don’t usually use third-party keyboard apps, but I’ve seen this method work. 

5. Remove External Keyboard

Have you ever had your iPad connect to a Bluetooth keyboard? If Yes! Then, you need to disconnect it. I will show you how to do it.

1. Open up your iPad’s settings—you know, the little gear icon. Then, look for the Bluetooth section and tap on it. 

2. Now, you’ll see a list of devices that your iPad has connected to. Find the one that’s causing the trouble—that Bluetooth keyboard! Tap the small “i” icon to the right of it.

3. Finally, just select “Forget This Device.” Once you do that, your iPad should stop connecting to it, and you’ll have your regular on-screen keyboard back in action. 

Easy peasy! Right? 

6. Reset Keyboard Dictionary

Sometimes, your keyboard settings can cause problems because they remember words and phrases you often use. 

This can make it act strangely or stop working properly. Resetting the dictionary can fix the keyboard and make it work correctly again.

If you’re unsure about how to do a keyboard reset, don’t worry; I’ve got you covered! Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to your iPad’s Settings.
2. Look for the “General” section.
3. Find the option that says “Transfer or Reset iPad.”
4. Tap on “Reset.”
5. Then, choose “Reset Keyboard Dictionary.”

A simple reset like this can work wonders and get your keyboard back to its normal state.

7. Reset All Settings 

Resetting all settings on your iPad can come in handy when you are experiencing problems such as network issues or Bluetooth glitches, and it is also has worked for some when keyboard is not showing up on iPad.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Start by opening your iPad’s Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Search for the “Transfer or Reset iPad” option.
4. Now, select “Reset” and choose “Reset all Settings.”

By following these steps, you’ll give your iPad a fresh start without wiping away your important stuff. This should help get that keyboard back in action.

Final Thoughts

So, dealing with a missing iPad keyboard that’s not showing up on your screen can be incredibly frustrating, especially for those of us who rely on our iPads every day.

Whether it’s a simple reboot, a software update, or troubleshooting within a specific app, there are steps you can take to address the issue. 

And for those of you using third-party keyboard apps, deleting them might give you your keyboard back. Remember, if all else fails, you can restore your iPad settings by clearing your keyboard dictionary or resetting all settings. 

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