Top 7 Ways to Fix iPad Keyboard Not Showing Up 2025

The Apple iPad does not come with a dedicated physical keyboard. Most users avoid buying it and prefer the on-screen keyboard to type messages and search queries. It even comes with a split-view for typing like a pro. But what if the iPad keyboard fails to pop up in the first place? Here are the best ways to fix iPad keyboard not showing up

The iPad's onscreen keyboard is convenient and flexible — on some models, for example, you can split the keyboard to make it easier to type with your thumbs. But if your iPad keyboard doesn't work, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to work on your tablet. In many cases though, you can fix the error and start typing again quickly. Here are seven ways to fix problems with the iPad's onscreen keyboard.

If you've recently installed a third-party keyboard like Gboard or Fleksy and you can't figure out why it's not working, it's likely that the keyboard isn't activated yet. Using a third-party onscreen keyboard requires two steps: you need to install it and then activate it so that iPadOS can include it in the list of available keyboards.

The exact process varies depending on the keyboard you are using. In some cases, you can run the Keyboard app and it will walk you through the activation process. In other cases, you have to do it manually: launch the Settings app and tap General after Keyboard. Then tap Keyboards, Add New Keyboard and tap the name of the keyboard you just installed.

How to Fix iPad Keyboard Not Showing Up

Installing a keyboard on your iPad isn't enough. You need to enable it. If you've recently installed and enabled a third-party keyboard and it crashes or otherwise prevents you from typing or switching to another keyboard, the shortest path to troubleshooting is to generally disable or remove the keyboard that's giving you trouble. .

To disable a keyboard, launch the Settings app and tap General after Keyboard Then tap on Keyboard and find the problematic keyboard. Swipe left and tap Delete. You can also remove the Keyboard app from your iPad.

When On-Screen stops working on your iPad, you won't be able to see Web Search or Keyboard on Amazon for iPad. It breaks your workflow. Before you head to the App Store and try third-party keyboard apps, use the tricks below to fix a missing or disappearing iPad keyboard.

1. Restart a specific app

To bring up the keyboards, you need to tap on the text field to test the on-screen keyboard in action. If the iPad keyboard doesn't pop up, restart the app.

Step 1: Swipe up from the bottom and hold to open the recent apps menu.

Step 2: Swipe up on an app to close it. Open the app and try using the software keyboard again.

2. Restart the iPad

Rebooting your iPad is a quick way to fix common software errors on it. If you have an iPad model without a home button, use the steps below

Step 1: Press and hold any volume and power buttons simultaneously. Use the Power Off slider to turn it off

Step 2: Wait for about 30 seconds. Press and hold the top button to turn it on.

If you have an iPad with a home button, press the top button until you see the Power Off slider.

3. Remove the external keyboard

Have you connected your iPad to a Bluetooth keyboard before? If you enable Bluetooth on the iPad, it can connect to an external keyboard. In that case, the iPad keyboard may not show up. You need to remove such a keyboard from the Bluetooth menu.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and go to Bluetooth. Tap the info menu next to the keyboard.

Step 2: Select Forget this device.

4. Select the on-screen keyboard when a Bluetooth keyboard is connected

Are you using a Bluetooth keyboard on your iPad and want to use the on-screen keyboard to type an emoji or special character? The software keyboard is just a tap away on your iPad.

Step 1: When you're drafting an email or document, tap the keyboard icon at the bottom

Step 2: Select 'Show Keyboard' to test the on-screen keyboard in action.

5. Disable third-party keyboards

iPadOS supports Gboard, SwiftKey, and other third-party keyboard apps from the App Store. Using such an app may cause issues with the stock keyboard. You can disable or remove third-party keyboard apps using the steps below

Step 1: Open the Settings app and scroll down to General. Select Keyboard.

Step 2: Tap on Keyboard. Swipe left on the keyboard you want to remove and press Delete.

6. Reset the keyboard dictionary

Your iPad keyboard remembers your most frequently used words and phrases. Sometimes, a large or corrupt keyboard dictionary leads to problems like keyboard not showing up. iPadOS lets you reset keyboard settings. Here's a simple trick to fix keyboard issues on your iPhone and iPad.

Your iPad keyboard may not work due to incorrect keyboard settings

Step 1: Launch the Settings app and go to the General section.

Step 2: Select 'Transfer or Reset iPad'.

Step 3: Tap Reset.

Step 4: Select 'Reset Keyboard Dictionary'.

7. Use a MacBook keyboard on the iPad

As part of the Universal Control add-on, you can use your MacBook keyboard and mouse with your iPad. It comes with several conditions though. You'll need to use the same Apple account on both devices, enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the Mac and iPad, and tweak the relevant options. When you meet all the requirements, use the tricks below to use the MacBook keyboard with an iPad

Step 1: Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar and expand the Display menu.

Step 2: Select your iPad.

You can control your iPad with your MacBook like a pro. If Universal Control is not working, see our dedicated post to troubleshoot the issue.