iPad Pro Smart Keyboard not working

Ladies and Gentlemen of the iPad Pro keyboard thread - I may have solved the issue - at least mine anyways. Hope this works for you too. This is early days, but I am actually typing this reply on the keyboard (which did not function when I setup my iPad about 5 min ago). I’ll keep testing, but here is the trick: the keyboard is physically not docking correctly. The magents are strong and it may seem that the iPad and Keyboard are locked into the correct position - but they are not. It is a example of getting a little too fancy with the design.

Open any application with a text field that prompts the keyboard (new note, new email, etc). If the Smart Keyboard is set correctly then you are good to go. If the on-screen keyboard pops up then the first step is to spew forth your customary profanity. However, please add this extra step - with the software keyboard on screen push the iPad slight left or slight right in its base. It is seated strongly and you may have to press hard - but slightly chaging the position of the contacts (which are far too small) will allow the iPad to recognize and power the keyboard. You will know you are successful because the on-screen keyboard will immediately disappear when proper contact is made and the Smart Keyboard will start functioning. I’m baffled by the simplicity of this solution. I am also baffled that Apple REPLACED my entire hardware setup because of this.

I am hoping that this small adjusting does not pose any long-term issue or damage. I really think Apple should replace all our keyboards with a refined design that works propertly the first time it’s is connected but unsure how to start that process. In the mean time I hope this little trick works for most of you.

I think there are 2 issues, both related. Keyboard not working and on screen keyboard displayed and Keyboard not working, no on screen keyboard displayed. The onscreen keyboard displaying is a misalignment. The keyboard not working and no on screen keyboard is more troubling. This is what i get with 2 ipads and 3 keyboards. Disconnecting and reconnecting does not solve the issue. Sometimes typing in the search bar brings it back to all apps but just switching apps can cause the issue. Sometimes lock and unloxk of the screen using the power button fixes it for a bit but the issue is software or if it is hardware then its in what ever bus the 3 pin connector uses. Apple are the only ones who can address this as im not “holding it wrong”. This is a bug, and a persista t one at that.

I have the same problem. i got the keyboard for 6 months then it stopped working. nothing happened. this is repetitive because 2 of my friend's keyboard also stopped working at around 6 months. i guess its a bug. you shouold go with logitech keyboards.

response from Apple.... that’s funny! After over 2 weeks just on this forum, and nothing from the mighty Apple Corp. is anyone surprised ? They are too busy trying to get everyone to buy a $1000 iPhone in a few months.

I have the same problem as others. I had an appointment at the Apple store. The Apple “genius“ of course gave me the ”we’ve never heard of this problem“ answer. I mention that many people have the problem and have written on the support forum. The “genius” just blew my comment off by simply ignoring it.

Then I was told was the serial number wasn’t listed as sold. This was due in part to the fact that even with a loupe the “genius“ could make out the serial number clearly. The other issue was I bought the keyboard at Best Buy 6 months ago and only got a paper receipt, (which is long gone). So the “genius” told me since there is no record of the serial number he couldn’t really do anything other than sell me a new keyboard for the discounted price of $150.

I’ve owned and used many fine Apple products since 1984, the iPad Pro Keyboard is not one of them.

I don’t believe this is a software problem, it’s the hardware. Cleaning the contacts seemed to resolve the problem only to find the next day the problem was back. This shouldn be a warranty issue as it is a design and/or manufacturing issue. Apple needs to admit it and resolve this problem.

I’ve had the problem for awhile on my iPad Pro; never got around to taking it to Apple. Was away in Europe and Asia until recently... just downloaded the new IOS 11 software and now my keyboard seems to work just fine. Hope it lasts. Nice to have the keyboard back again.

Also, try going to Best Buy and ask for a copy of your receipt. They can print them out for you if you have a BB loyalty number or you have the credit card and date you purchased the item.

I bought an iPad Pro 9.7 in April with Smart Keyboard. About 2 months ago, the keyboard stopped working suddenly. A hard reboot fixed the problem. This cycle repeated itself every 2 or 3 days. I finally broke down and went to the Genius Bar. They replaced my keyboard yesterday. Then 10 minutes ago, my new keyboard stopped working. Only a hard reboot got it going again. So...... Now I’m trying to figure out what the next step is.

This is most definitely a software issue. I have never had any issues with my iPad Pro or the keyboard which I had from the original launch. Suddenly the last 6-8 months (not certain of what IOS update caused it) it repeatedly disconnects my keyboard multiple times a with and says "This accessory may not be supported by this devise". Typically I can physically disconnect my keyboard 3-4 times and it will reconnect. Other times I have to reboot. I am furious to say the least.

It’s insane Apple refuses to even acknowledge this. Went to the local store, tried selling me a new one. Told them tried that already. They suggested replacing my 10 month iPad Pro. I suggested I’m going to a Surface Pro instead. Apple Genuis .... no commeny

I too just had this happen. I disconnected the Smart Keyboard, cleaned the contacts andrecepticle, powered down my iPad Pro 9.7, reattached the keyboard, fired it back up, and was able to log on using the keyboard. When I then tried to type, there was no response. I tilted the whole iPad, and then I could type. This is weird.

This is back to haunt me. When this first arose the end of 2016 I went the go to the Genius Bar route and had my “old” key board replaced. All was then OK. Now its 11 months later, upgraded to iOS 11 and it’s back.

Have read several posts. I have tried the Apple Recommended, remove the key board, re-boot the iPad, reconnect the IPad and keyboard. Some times that works, some times it does not.

Have tried the “clean the contacts”, by and large does not work. Have watched the YouTube video of slightly “jiggling” the iPad to reseat the connection, made absolutely no difference. Have tried the loss of magnetism idea and had the most success with that. The idea that the gutter has lost if strength in the magnet so when you connect to the “type” configuration that it does not have enough magnetic strength the flip the switch. Have taken a magnet and stroked the gutter to re-magnetise. That has been the most effective.

But, still disappointed in the performance and lack of a good Apple solution or lack of anything less than a replacement key board.

I bought a brand new keyboard, no luck. It must be software if it’s still giving errror messages . Apple support is severely lacking on this. Anyone know a higher up? Only way this will be fixed. they apparently one seem to care over 200K posts about this and nothing bwing done.

I have a Smart Keyboard that stops working as soon as I connect to the work WiFi. This requires me to sign in to the WiFi and once completed the key board doesn’t work. If I then power cycle my iPad pro the keyboard starts working again. Come on Apple. This is a bug being reported by thousands of people. I didn’t spend over £1000 for a iPad and keyboard to have to power cycle the device each time I connect to my work WiFi. This has been going on for too long and needs to be fixed now. Spend some of the billions you are making on keeping your customer base happy

The problem seems to have to do with wifi for me as well. I have had no problem at home, but on public wifi such as the airport or library, the keyboard stops responding. It remains connected and recognized, because the touch-screen keyboard does not appear. If I remove the smart keyboard, the screen keyboard comes up and works fine. Apple told me that weak or unstable wifi, or any changes in wifi settings, causes the smart keyboard to stop working—and they offered no solution for this. They said that in the keyboard should continue to work in those circumstances for offline apps, like Pages. I have not had a chance to test this out yet.

Doesn’t work in pages either. It’s not the WiFi either. I have awesome WiFi at my home, doesn’t work, doesn’t work at my office, hotel, anywhere.....Apple is ignoring this problem. Terrible service !!