Magic Keyboard backlight will not turn off when closed

I have the same issue. Very irritating as I only use my iPad on my nightstand to fall asleep to you YouTube videos and then to come back in the evening to discover the keyboard backlight has been on the entire day.

Restarting the iPad fixed the problem - for a while, then it comes back again.

I’m hoping a future iPad OS update will fix the issue.

Purchased the Apple "Magic Keyboard" for the Apple iPad 11 pro on 4.25.20 and paid the big $$$. The backlit keys are not turning off when the iPad turns off or closes. Then next time you use the iPad, oh, dead battery. Yes a reset will fix this so will disconnecting the iPad from the keyboard for a moment. Then in no time it's back to not turning off again. It is obvious Apple has a known issue. So with a keyboard very well inside warranty, and a known issue, you'd think they would just replace it. Nope, you get the run around and then they want you to be without a keyboard in the meantime. Nice Apple for a $300 keyboad.

Hello,

Have you tried restarting your iPad?

Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Mine is doing the same thing. Disconnecting the iPad from the keyboard resolved the problem.

I have the exact same problem. Very disappointing for such a premium price. :(

Sometimes the keyboard stays backlit when putting the iPad to sleep, no matter if open or closed. However, not every time but I cannot find a pattern.

Quickly removing the iPad from the keyboard and reattaching fixes the issue and the keyboard then works as expected. This is a workaround but not a solution. I am not convinced that the backlight won't die at a certain point when it's lit all day while being charged on my desk. Battery drain is another thing to consider...

I want to avoid being without a keyboard. I will wait for the next SW update and see it this fixes anything. But then I consider seeing a genius or Apple support.

It's a 12,9 inch keyboard used with a 2018 iPad Pro, if that matters.

I have the same issue. Apple offered me to replace the keyboard. Surprise surprise...same problem with the new keyboard. Its exactly the same problem as everybody else has. It happens about every three-four days, randomly. Once it happens, there is no way to switch the light off. Also backlight settings dont work anymore. If I disconnect the keyboard it is „solved“ for the moment. I am pretty sure that this problem is a SW issue as I have that problem with both keyboards. Apple even asked me if I want to get it replaced again. I cant understand...

Same problem for me too. I figured it might be because I generally leave my connected to power but I guess not. I've found, as others have, that if I remove and reattach the iPad then it solves the keyboard light problem but at the same time - as my keyboard is plugged in - it introduces a 'iPad not charging' problem. The only fix is to then unplug the magic keyboard and plug it back in.

Very frustrating for such an expensive piece of hardware.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251378380?answerId=252814291022&page=2

see the post from lobsterghost1 June 13th

I have the same problem and yes it was solved by turning the iPad Pro off but the same problem has now occurred again. the backlit is on when I close the case, the backlit is also still on when the iPad screen is turned off.

Same for me, if I detach the iPad from the case and replace it, the backlit function is back to normal. But this is NOT how it should be solved for this premium product. Will return it to Apple store if not solved in next SW update.

In my case it is also “solved” if I remove the iPad from the case or turn it off completely. This is still not a real solution for a factory accessory.

I have the same problem, I read all the replies to know if I should replace my keyboard or would it be the same but did not find a confirmation whether it is a SW or HW problem. Except for a comment that said that after a replacement the problem still occurs.

I have discovered it by coincidence when I was in a dark room, closed the ipad from the power button to find that the backlight of the keyboard is still on. And then I understood why 5 days ago, when I had my ipad charged 100%, left it idle for 10 hours to come back and find the battery is 60%, now I understood the keyboard was lit and it ate all of those 40% while ipad is closed and idle.

Apple called me today to ask if the problem still continue to exist. I told them that I still experience that problem without following a pattern. I don't know what triggers that issue. They asked me if I want to replace the keyboard. I declined as I got it already replaced and I strongly doubt that it is a HW issue. I am hoping Apple will fix that problem with an update.

Furthermore, support has expressed the suspicion that it could be a loose contact or a problem with a relay. I personally totally doubt that. A loose contact seems to be impossible as the iPad is tightly connected to the keyboard. A relay problem sounds like heavy engineering....