iPad Pro Smart Keyboard not working

I type on it for hours every day. I had the keyboard replaced about 4 months ago. It periodically becomes unresponsive, meaning the software keyboard does not appear but the accessory keyboard doesn’t do anything. My experience is that sleep wake fixes it. I do about one of those sleep-wakes a day for an inoperative keyboard.

It has nothing to do with the capacity of your storage. I have the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 512G storage and the Smart Keyboard issue is constantly occuring on my unit. This is my third Smart Keyboard - the other two replaced under warranty. My interim solution is to rock the iPad forward and backward. That works most of the time. It also sometimes helps to disconnect/reconnect. It also helps to yell at the iPad.

Key board stopped running. Tried cleaning the contacts, rebooting the iPad and all the suggestions from Apple on the web. Nothing worked, then . . . . . I pressed the iPan Pro down hard onto the connecting pins and voila! it worked.

There is definitely some sort of connection problem that Apple should address. I am using iOS 11.2.6

Later I disconnected the key board from the iPad and then reinstalled it using no extra pressure, the keyboard did not connect. More downward pressure (I mean heavy pressure) and the connection was reestablished.

I bought my iPad Pro and Smart Key Board 8 days ago, if this problem continues I am going to return the Key Board for another. Maybe I got a lemon.

I solved this, at least for now, by spraying IPA alcohol onto a soft cloth and cleaning the keyboard contacts throughly.

Then I also did the same to the iPad contacts which mate with the keyboard.

All is now OK so I assume that the contacts, being small are susceptible to tiny grains of dirt.

I have experienced similar with lightning cables - they often come back to life with a little cleaning...

This is a great thread, about 25 pages of comments for the moment!

I get the problem "Accessory Not Supported - This accessory is not supported by the device."

https://imgur.com/a/c8phQhD

Thankfully I could get an appointment to an Apple Store and reproduce the problem.

I get a free replacement and for the moment it works OK.

At this stage, if you can't get it replaced for a new one, you will have to buy it.

I think they did a silent redesign for the Original Smart Keyboard. If you can give them an accurate serial number on your keyboard at the Mac Store they might give you a replacement.

Search the thread for instructions on how to get the cleanest image of your serial number since it's now down hard to read due to usage on flat surfaces. I noticed that they made a huge effort to make the serial number on the new keyboards very dark and much easier to read.

In a nutshell use your iPhone Video feature , shoot in 4K with the flash on, and you should be able to get the clearest image the serial. The still photos just don't cut it.

Good luck!

MJW

Disconnecting other keyboards and cleaning contacts will not cure the main cause which is broken tracks in the cover.

HERE is the only fix that fixes it: A youtube video: https://youtu.be/buNYHzMZJdk

I gave up on the Apple keyboard. I purchased a Brydge keyboard instead, selecting the right model for my iPad Pro 10.5". It connects via Bluetooth and has a rechargeable battery. It's a little bother to recharge every now and then, but so far I've used it for a couple of weeks without recharging. The connectivity works very well. The keyboard is also optionally backlit, which I love.

moogie007 you have been mislead. There is no update to solve this problem. It is a hardware design failure. You need a new cover. Apple is not gracing up to their issues. They must have sold thousands of these things.

Did a power off/power on, the Smart Keyboard is back.... for now.

Here’s a trick that works for me. The keyboard, which Apple replaced for free after it was out of warranty, sometimes is unresponsive. I put the iPad to sleep and wake it up, and then it works.

My first Smart Keyboard failed completely. Took it to an Apple store and they replaced it. I did have AppleCare.

I had to replace mine. It wasn't damaged though. It had no signs of wear and tear. My theory was the chip that prevents unlicensed keyboard connections starts to glitch after a year. It has to be software in my opinion. The new keyboard works great though.

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’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.