User profile for user: alessandro2410
alessandro2410 Author
User level: Level 1
25 points

Smart keyboard sometimes does not work

I have a smart keyboard connected to an iPad Pro 12.9.

Sometimes it stops working and I have to restart the iPad to have it responsive again.

It's quite annoying, because it happens 4-5 times a day.

I think it's a software problem. I look forward for a solution from Apple.

iPad Pro, iOS 10.0.2

Posted on Sep 27, 2016 9:02 AM

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12 replies
User profile for user: dkindle1
dkindle1
User level: Level 1
104 points

Sep 25, 2017 10:33 AM in response to alessandro2410

As someone who hates to reboot the iPad when the Smart Keyboard stops working and fumbling around with re-connecting the keyboard, I found the following steps to work for me:

1.) From your home screen, swipe to the right to get the search bar at the top.

2.) Tap into the search bar and see if typing with the keyboard works. If it does, you can now type in Safari and other apps.

3.) If that still didn’t work for you, then I’m afraid a reboot is necessary.

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User profile for user: jens293
jens293
User level: Level 1
4 points

Dec 3, 2017 5:27 AM in response to Jaylist

I am also having the same problem. iPad Pro 10.5 inch on latest software. Smart Keyboard only recently added. Keyboard not working after iPad went to sleep for a little of time.

Very clearly a SW-related bug. If I restart the iPad without moving the keyboard or the iPad an Inch, it worst again.

Hence, the whole disconnect and attach the keyboard hints are no the solution (plus they also don‘t work for me).

This is annyoing. I was using an external bluetooht keyboard from Logitech before. Less beautiful, much more bulky - but working flawlessly, consumed almost no battery and cost only a third of the Smart Keyboard.

Reading through all the HW reports, I have doubts that exchanging the keyboard will solve the issue.

Dear @Apple - is this at least a know error and is someone working on it?

I am rather dissapointed at the moment, but used to such glitches with Apple HW.

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User profile for user: seattlebacon
seattlebacon
User level: Level 1
4 points

Dec 28, 2017 6:09 PM in response to alessandro2410

Yup...still having this issue going into 2018. If my two day old iPad Pro 10.5 goes to sleep on its own with the keyboard attached, it will not work when I re-wake the iPad. To get it to function again I have to physically put the iPad in sleep mode with a quick press of the power button, and then when I wake the iPad form such the smart keyboard will work again (removing and reattaching the keyboard to the smart connecter has made no difference). The issue is obviously software related as my iPad is two days old and this is a commonly reported problem.

Any fixes in the works Apple? Or should I try a new smart keyboard?

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User profile for user: sterling r
sterling r
User level: Community Specialist

Sep 28, 2016 10:42 AM in response to alessandro2410

Hello alessandro2410,
Thanks for asking about your Smart Keyboard not working with the iPad Pro sometimes. I understand how important it is to have a working keyboard at all times since everything we do these days is on our devices. I am happy to check this out with you.


To verify the Smart Keyboard is set up properly, I would like to double check everything from this help article: Use your Smart Keyboard with iPad Pro . If everything is set up properly, at the end of the article is the section to Get Help if there are issues using the Smart Keyboard with your iPad Pro. If the keyboard stops working, I would try adjusting the position of the iPad for a moment, and then re-set it into the Type position. I would like to ask some clarifying questions to try to get to the root cause of this.


1. Did adjusting the iPad position for a moment, then resetting it into the Type position help or do you have to go through all the steps, and it only reconnects after you restart the iPad?

2. When does it stop working? You mentioned it stops working like 4 or 5 times a day, but is it after the iPad goes to sleep, or after you aren't using it for 10 minutes, can you isolate when it stops working more for me to offer some other options?

3. Did you notice the keyboard disconnecting started after the iOS 10 upgrade only?


Thank you for providing that information and for working with me here in the Apple Support Communities. Have a great rest of your day.
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User profile for user: chuck_3rd
chuck_3rd
User level: Community Specialist

Oct 1, 2016 12:38 PM in response to alessandro2410

Hello alessandro2410,


Thanks for continuing our troubleshooting here in the Apple Support Communities. Thank you for answering all those questions as well. Since the issue isn't happening every time you are having the iPad go to sleep, and the steps in the help article: Use your Smart Keyboard with iPad Pro . under the "Get Help section to resolve this actually have restart the iPad as a troubleshooting step, I would not recommend further more invasive troubleshooting. But, I am happy to provide what I would do next if you so choose to go this route, or if the issue gets more frequent.


As always, w e want to ensure is that all your data on your device is safe. Before moving on, please make a backup in iCloud or iTunes using this article : How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch .


Then, you will need restore your device back to factory settings using iTunes. This option will erase all the data on your device. Please ensure you have your backup completed prior to doing this step. The reason we need to use iTunes to do this step is because we need iTunes to help install a fresh version of iOS. This help article from Apple will help you to do this step: Use iTunes on your Mac or PC to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings . Please ensure you set the device up as new, and do not restore any information from an iCloud or iTunes backup yet.


Once the device is set up as new, you will test to see if the iPad Pro is still losing the connection with the Smart Keyboard. If this issue is no longer happening, we know the issue was with some data on the device or in the iOS version, which will most likely be saved in your backups. You can manually bring data back using iCloud or iTunes, but do not restore from the backup as you will bring the problem right back in. Once you log back in to iCloud with the same Apple ID that you used previously, all your data saved in iCloud will start repopulating on the device. Depending on whether you have a Mac or PC, you can use one of these two help articles to assist you in getting your music and other data back to your device from iTunes:


1. iTunes 12 for Mac: Sync iPod, iPhone, or iPad

2. iTunes 12 for Windows: Sync iPod, iPhone, or iPad
You can also redownload fresh copies all of your previous purchases using this article: Download your past purchases. Thanks again and have a great rest of your day.

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Smart keyboard sometimes does not work

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