Safari on iPad hangs when using external keyboard (iOS 17.3)

I am encountering a very odd problem with my iPad Air 4 since applying the iOS 17.3 update. When I try to load a new web page on Safari it will get stuck on loading and then completely freeze. No buttons nor the address bar are accessible. I have to close Safari manually by swiping up, and doing it twice or three times.

The strange thing is this only happens when I have an external keyboard connected - both a Logitech K380 Bluetooth keyboard, and a Logitech Folio Touch keyboard case.

It also happens with Firefox and Firefox Focus web browsers. All other apps (e.g. Office 365 apps) all work fine with the external keyboards.

Safari works without any problems using the on-screen soft keyboard.

This never happened prior to iOS 17.3.

I’m curious whether anyone else has encountered this problem as well since the update. Would like to know if the problem is at Apple’s or Logitech’s end, and if there’s a solution.

iPad Air (4th generation)

Posted on Jan 23, 2024 10:39 PM

Top-ranking reply

braeburn8

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Feb 10, 2024 5:41 AM

Updated to iPad OS 17.3.1 yesterday on iPad Pro 12.9 4th generation.

The frozen browser problem persisted after rebooting.

(I have been having the frozen browser problem for a few weeks when using IOS 17.3. With a freeze at random intervals of between instantly opening a browser, to a few minutes). Needing a swipe up to the app switcher screen, close out and reopen the browser. I tried Chrome, Firefox, DuckDuckGo, Opera, made no obvious difference all browsers I used behaved much as Safari).

I had used multiple keyboards, Logitech Folio, Logitch 480, Cabled Apple Keyboard via USB A to USB C, 2 Chinese lightweight keyboards. None of these were any benefit.

In the late evening yesterday I tried my iMac Apple Bluetooth keyboard, paired the iPad.

The keyboard paired as expected and had no browser freezing. On any browser.

I am now typing on my Logitech Slim Folio and have had no recurrence of freezing today.

So far so good, all has been well since pairing the iMac Apple Bluetooth keyboard. I have reverted to my Logitech Folio Slim with no further freezing problems.

I do not know if pairing my iMac Keyboard had any influence over the problem, or perhaps patience is needed to allow iPadOS 17.3.1 to make some change to the keyboard driver, or if all the suck it and see trials were responsible.

I am hopeful that iPadOS 17.3.1 remains as in it’s current working state. And I look forward to what delightful surprise IPadOS 17.4 might bring.

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Safari on iPad hangs when using external keyboard (iOS 17.3)

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