Why are some of my magic keyboard keys not working?

Some iPad Magic Keyboard users have discovered that the Magic Keyboard randomly stops working, or the keyboard keys will work while the Magic Keyboard trackpad stops working.

Magic Trackpad issues can happen at random, or sometimes after installing software updates to the iPad Pro or iPad Air the Magic Trackpad stops working, but fortunately troubleshooting these issues are pretty straight forward, and soon you’ll have your Magic Keyboard and trackpad working again on the iPad as expected.

First, remember the iPad Magic Keyboard has no battery so there’s no battery life to check on, nor does it need to be charged. If it’s not working with an iPad, something else is amiss.

1: Disconnect & Reconnect the iPad to Magic Keyboard

The first troubleshooting step to take is to physically disconnect the iPad Pro or iPad Air from the Magic Keyboard, then reconnect it.

When you reconnect the iPad to the Magic Keyboard, make sure the magnets align and everything clicks well into position, since an improperly attached keyboard will not work.

Usually this alone will resolve any connection issues with the Magic Keyboard, and with the Magic Keyboard trackpad not working or the keyboard not working at all.

Make sure there are no obstructions between the connecters on the iPad or the Magic Keyboard as well, whether it’s a sticker, dirt, grime, gum, or anything else, with the goopy stuff being important to look for particularly if you let children use the iPad. Any obstruction can impact the ability for the Magic Keyboard to connect and work as intended.

2: Hard Restart iPad

Next you’ll want to try and issue a forced hard restart on the iPad, which can resolve a lot of curious behaviors on iOS and iPadOS devices.

Press Volume Up, Volume Down, then press and hold Power/Lock button until you see the  Apple logo on the screen, to initiate a hard restart.

3: Enable then Disable Assistive Touch

Sometimes enabling and then disabling Assistive Touch can remedy issues with device input and the Magic Keyboard on iPad.

You can enable Assistive Touch through Settings app > Accessibility > Touch > Assistive Touch, and toggle it to the ON position. You’ll see a little virtual home screen button appear on screen indicating it is enabled. To disable it, simply flip the Settings switch off again.

You can also activate Siri and say “Hey Siri, turn on Assistive Touch” to enable and disable the feature.

4: Are You Using Universal Control with a Mac?

Some iPad and Mac users who use Universal Control to share a keyboard and mouse between their devices have noticed problems with the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard (and Mac for that matter) randomly not working. This issue started since macOS Ventura 13.0 and iPadOS 16.1, so it is possible there is a bug related to Universal Control on those system versions, since the problem did not exist prior to updating to those operating systems.

One solution to this is to disable Universal Control, but it’s a handy feature that many people will not want to turn off on their devices for understandable reasons.

5: Install iPadOS Software Updates

Keeping the iPad up to date with the latest system software is a good way to make sure things work properly, including the Magic Keyboard. While it’s rare for a software issue to cause a problem with hardware, it’s always possible that a bug or issue will be resolved by installing the latest iPadOS release onto the device.

Update iPadOS through Settings > General > Software Update.

6: Other Issues with iPad Magic Keyboard?

You may encounter other sporadic issues with the iPad Magic Keyboard, like perhaps the keyboard backlight isn’t working, which is usually related to the feature either being turned off or adjusted low, or not being in a dim enough area to activate.

–

Did you get your iPad working with Magic Keyboard again? Was the keyboard not working or the trackpad not working, or both? Which trick fixed the problem for you? Let us know your experiences in the comments.

Related

Looking for ways to fix a Magic Keyboard for an iPad that’s not working?Apple now offers two iPad Pro keyboards. The first one is the Smart Keyboard, while Magic Keyboard is the latest option. Magic Keyboard features a scissor-switch mechanism and a glass trackpad that makes typing smoother. Plus, it’s backlit! 

But like its predecessor, Magic Keyboard isn’t without its flaws. Your Magic Keyboard might suddenly stop working due to hardware issues. Sometimes, though, the culprit is a random software glitch. Luckily, you can fix that with a few workarounds.

Two years ago, we published a guide on how to fix your Smart Keyboard. Today, we’ll focus on Magic Keyboard instead. This article will list multiple ways to help you enjoy your keyboard again. Here’s how to fix a Magic Keyboard for an iPad that’s not working.

Let’s dive in! 

1. Check Device Compatibility.

First things first, make sure you have the correct device for your iPad. The latest Magic Keyboard is compatible with the following iPad models:

• 5th, 4th, and 3rd generation of iPad Pro 12.9-inch
• 3rd, 2nd, and 1st generation of iPad Pro 11-inch
• 4th generation of iPad Air

Got the first generation of the Magic Keyboard? It’s functionally compatible with the new iPad Pro model. But because of the slightly thicker dimensions of the latest iPad Pro, your first-gen Magic Keyboard might not precisely fit when you close the case. 

If you have no problem with device compatibility, move on to the next potential fix.

2. Reconnect the iPad to Your Magic Keyboard.

It’s best to try a simple fix before moving to more complex ones. Make sure your keyboard has a stable connection to your iPad. Inspect the connector pins. Is there any visible dirt? If yes, wipe it off gently to ensure the iPad attaches magnetically. 

Also, check the panel where you usually attach the iPad. It’s filled with magnets underneath. Check for dust or other foreign materials that can interfere with the connection between the keyboard and iPad. Keep that area clean at all times. 

Once you’ve checked the connector pins and magnetic panel, try reconnecting the iPad to your Magic Keyboard. See if it’s working again without a glitch. 

iPadOS updates often come with a set of fixes for common software bugs. It could help resolve minor glitches that have been affecting your keyboard’s connection to your iPad. It’s easy to update your iPadOS. Follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Here’s how to update iPadOS:

1. First, head over to the Settings menu.
2. Select General. 
3. Then, tap Software Update.

1. If there are available updates, a pop-up will show up. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the software update process.

Some iPad Pro users reported their Magic Keyboard only stopped working when they had a faulty or poor Wi-Fi connection. So, check your Wi-Fi connection before trying other complex solutions. You can also turn it off and on to re-establish the connection.

Here’s how to do it:

1. First, swipe up on your iPad screen. That’ll bring up the Control Center.

1. Then, tap the Wi-Fi icon to disable it.
2. After a few seconds, tap the Wi-Fi icon again to activate it.

See if your Wi-Fi connection has improved. Then, test if your keyboard is working. If not, we have a few more troubleshooting tricks up our sleeves.

5. Restart Your iPad to Resolve Magic Keyboard Issues.

Restarting your iPad can delete garbage memory, random bugs, and any problematic codes that are likely culprits behind Magic Keyboard issues. Once it’s back on, there’s a good chance that it runs without a hitch again. It can then recognize your keyboard.

Here’s how to reboot an iPad with a Home button:

1. Begin by holding the Home and Side buttons. Keep holding until the Power Slider appears on the screen.
2. Next, drag the Power Slider to the right. That’ll turn off the device.

1. After a few seconds, press the Home button. Hold it until the Apple logo shows up.

Here’s how to restart your iPad if it doesn’t have a Home button:

1. First, press any of the Volume buttons and the Power button simultaneously. Continue holding it until you see the Power Slider on the screen.

1. Drag the Power slider. Your iPad will shut down.
2. Turn the device back on by pressing and holding the Power button until you notice the Apple logo on the screen.

Some users found that their Magic Keyboard only misbehaves when they’re using iMessage. Does the same thing happen to you? If yes, try turning the iMessage off and on. Resetting this feature can help your iPad recognize your Magic Keyboard again.

Here’s how to perform this troubleshooting method:

1. Open Settings on your iPad.
2. Select Messages.
3. Then toggle off the button beside iMessage.

1. Wait a few minutes before toggling the iMessage button back on.

After that, connect your iPad to your Magic Keyboard again. See if it’s now working.

7. Reset All Settings to Fix Magic Keyboard for iPad That’s Not Working.

If you can’t still get your Magic Keyboard to work, reset all the tablet’s settings. It’s the solution if some bug or misconfigured settings have been the culprit behind the issue. 

Here’s how to reset the settings on your iPad:

1. First, head over to the Settings app.
2. Choose General.
3. Then, scroll down a bit to find and tap Reset.
4. Select Reset All Settings.

Once your iPad is back on, test if the Magic Keyboard is working again. Are you still having issues? We’ve got a few more potential solutions for you. Keep on reading.

Have you used other external keyboards with your iPad before? That could probably be the one causing the issue. Make sure to delete or uninstall other keyboards on your iPad. That way, it doesn’t interfere as your iPad connects to your Magic Keyboard.

Here’s how to delete other keyboards in your iPad:

1. First, go to the Settings menu.
2. Select General.
3. Choose Keyboard. Then, tap Keyboards.

1. Hit Edit. Now, find other external keyboards you used for your iPad.
2. Tap the minus sign to delete all extra smart keyboards.

Now, test if the Magic Keyboard issue is resolved.

None of the above solutions worked? It’s time to turn to third-party tools. One recommended tool is FoneDog’s Toolkit-System Recovery. It fixes many Apple device system issues, like blue screens, crashing apps, and even iPad-related bugs.

You can also try Tenorshare ReiBoot. It quickly and easily repairs iPadOS systems. If the cause behind your Magic Keyboard issue is OS-related, then ReiBoot can help you.

The only drawback when using third-party tools is that most of them aren’t free. Some offer free trials. But that can limit your options when trying to fix a Magic Keyboard for an iPad that’s not working. So before you subscribe to any tool, make a price comparison. Explore review sites and message boards to find the most suitable one for you.

10. Reach Out to Apple.

If your Magic Keyboard for iPad is still not working at this point, reach out to Apple. There could be hardware issues that they only can resolve. But before you go to the nearest Genius Bar, it’s best to call or chat Apple Support to set an appointment. 

This wraps up this article. We hope we’ve helped fix your Magic Keyboard issue. For more iPad-related problems, don’t hesitate to leave a comment. We’re happy to offer you more quick how-to guides and troubleshooting tips.