6 ways to fix iPhone/iPad keyboard not working

Is your iPhone or iPad keyboard not showing up, typing the wrong letters, or malfunctioning in some way? We'll go through common issues with corresponding solutions you can try when your iPhone or iPad keyboard isn't working.

1. iPhone or iPad keyboard not showing up

If the entire on-screen keyboard doesn't appear when you need to type something, it's possible that your cursor isn't in a text field. Try tapping a text field or search box on the screen to bring up the keyboard.

Cursor in search field

If it's a specific language that isn't showing up on your iPhone keyboard, it's probably because you haven't added it yet.

To add a language to your keyboard, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard . From the list, select your preferred language and input method if needed, then tap Done .

Add language to keyboard

2. iPhone/iPad keyboard types wrong letters and words

Most people have had a text message that was unnecessarily autocorrected by their iPhone or iPad. But if it happens too often and there are more errors than correct corrections, here's what you should do.

Check your iPhone or iPad screen

If the virtual keyboard seems to type on its own and enter incorrect letters and words, the problem may be with your iPhone's display. Check to see if your iPhone works properly without the keyboard.

If your iPhone also randomly opens apps when you are not touching the screen at all, this is a problem known as “ghost touch”. You can try solutions like cleaning your iPhone screen and replacing the screen protector to fix the ghost touch problem on your iPhone.

But if the cause of your ghost touch is hardware damage—for example, if you recently dropped your iPhone and it has cracks in the screen—you may need to replace your iPhone screen. Choose a reputable repair center to do this.

Check text replacement settings

Let's say you're typing the phrase "I'm studying" in a message but it autocorrects to "I'm napping" every time . This could be due to text replacement settings.

The purpose of iPhone text replacement is to help people save time by completing phrases from built-in abbreviations. However, it can also be used by family or friends to stage a prank, so there are countless “corrections.”

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement . If there's an unwanted phrase in the list, swipe it to the left and tap Delete .

Remove built-in text in iPhone text replacement settings

3. iPhone or iPad keyboard lags

If you're typing quickly on your iPhone keyboard but it's taking a while for text to appear on the screen, it could be due to a temporary software glitch or incorrect iPhone settings. Try the solutions below.

Reset keyboard dictionary

The keyboard dictionary on your iPhone doesn't just autocorrect misspelled words. It also learns from what you type and provides predictive text accordingly.

You can try resetting the keyboard dictionary if your iPhone or iPad keyboard is consistently lagging. Go to Settings > General > Switch or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary to do this.

Reset keyboard dictionary

Review touch adjustment settings in Accessibility

If you're using a used iPhone or iPad, the previous owner may have changed some accessibility settings that affect how the screen (including the on-screen keyboard) responds to touch. As a result, these settings can cause a delay between typing on the keyboard and text actually appearing on the screen.

To disable this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accommodations . Turn off Hold Duration, Ignore Repeat , select Off for Assistive Touch , and turn off Touch Accommodations .

Review touch adjustment settings in Accessibility

4. General troubleshooting when iPhone or iPad keyboard is not working

If your iPhone or iPad keyboard still isn't working after trying the troubleshooting methods above, there are some general solutions you can try. First, restart your iPhone or iPad by turning it off and back on.

Second, go to Settings > General > Software Update to check if there is a newer version of iOS or iPadOS available for your device. Apple regularly releases updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements, which can help resolve keyboard issues if your keyboard isn't working properly.

Update iPhone software

Similarly, if you are using a third-party iPhone keyboard app, it is best to update the iPhone app to get the latest bug fixes.

Sometimes, some iPhone and iPad keyboard issues still occur. Hopefully, the above list of common iPhone or iPad keyboard problems has helped you quickly find relevant fixes. However, if the problem persists, it is best to contact Apple Support for further assistance.