Why Is My iPhone Keyboard Not Working and How Can I Fix It?
Why Is My iPhone Keyboard Not Working and How Can I Fix It?
3 Answers

Dealing with an iPhone keyboard that’s giving you grief? Let’s dive into some practical fixes you can try to get it up and running again:
- Give Your iPhone a Reboot:
Sometimes, turning your iPhone off and back on is all it takes. It might sound too easy, but it often does the trick for those temporary glitches.
- Restart the Offending App:
If your keyboard decides to misbehave in just one app, close and relaunch it. Simple yet surprisingly effective!
- Update iOS:
Check if there’s an iOS update waiting. Updates often squash bugs that mess with your keyboard. Head over to Settings > General > Software Update and see what’s available.
- Reset the Keyboard Dictionary:
Feeling like your keyboard’s got a mind of its own? Resetting the dictionary might help. Just go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary.
- Check Third-party Keyboards:
Using a third-party keyboard? Sometimes, they’re the culprits. Disable them by navigating to Settings > General > Keyboards and ditch any you’re not keen on.
- Free Up Some Space:
Could your iPhone be crammed with stuff? Full storage can slow things down. See how much space you’ve got left under Settings > General > iPhone Storage, and free up some room if you need to.
- Reset All Settings:
Still no dice? Try resetting all settings. It’s a bit of a bigger step, but sometimes that’s what it takes. You’ll find it under Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This won’t wipe your data, but you might need to tweak some of your settings afterwards.
If these don’t sort things out, it might be time to give Apple Support a shout. They can help you figure out the next steps.

Hey there, ever had your iPhone keyboard just stop working? It\’s a real pain, right? Luckily, we can figure out what might be causing it and how to get it sorted out.
What Could Be Messing with Your Keyboard?
1. Software Glitches
You know how sometimes our gadgets just have those off days? Sometimes, your iPhone does too. If your keyboard’s acting up, it could just be a temporary hiccup.
- Try Restarting: This is the classic move. If you’ve got an iPhone 8 or later, quickly tap Volume Up, then Volume Down, and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo. For iPhone 7, press the Volume Down and Side buttons together.
- Close and Reopen Apps: Swipe up from the screen bottom (or double-click the Home button) to see open apps. Swipe up on the apps to close them. Sometimes, this does the trick.
2. iOS Issues
When was the last time you updated your phone? Keeping your software current helps squash those bugs.
- Update Your iPhone: Head to Settings > General > Software Update. If there’s an update, get it installed ASAP.
- Reset Keyboard Settings: Go into Settings > General > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary. Don’t worry; your data stays intact.
3. App Conflicts
Sometimes, an app doesn’t want to play nice.
- Disable Third-Party Keyboards: Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, and ditch the non-Apple ones.
- Test in Apple Apps: Open up Notes or Messages and see if the keyboard works. If it does, it’s probably a rogue app causing the trouble.
4. Touchscreen Woes
Let’s not forget about good old hardware issues. Cracks, spills, and dirt can ruin your day.
- Clean That Screen: A microfiber cloth and a little isopropyl alcohol can work wonders.
- Test Touch Functionality: Try drawing in the Notes app. If it’s hit-and-miss, your screen might be damaged.
5. Persistent System Problems
Sometimes things go beyond a little funk and need a hard reset.
- Factory Reset: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Be sure to back up your data first!
- Use Recovery Mode: Plug your phone into a computer with iTunes open, force a restart, and follow the instructions there. This one wipes everything, so consider it a last stand.
6. Serious Hardware Failures
If all else fails, there may be something more serious going on inside your phone.
- Get Help from Apple: This might mean visiting Apple Support. They can run diagnostics and fix what might be broken. Sometimes it\’s a more complicated fix, like something wrong with the guts of your phone.
Keep These in Mind for Next Time
- Be nice to your phone: keep it away from extreme conditions or dampness.
- Stick to apps from the App Store to avoid nasty surprises.
- Let your iPhone auto-update itself—check this at Settings > General > Software Update.
Hopefully, these tips help the next time your keyboard decides to take a nap on you. But if things stay wonky, Apple’s there to back you up. If you have a warranty or AppleCare+, it can really save you some stress.

So, your iPhone\’s keyboard is acting quirky, huh? It’s kinda like when you\’re typing and suddenly find yourself hitting all the wrong notes—like tapping “q” and getting “w” instead. Weird stuff can go down due to software quirks or a simple glitch in the system, and sometimes, it\’s just about a touch calibration or setting that’s gone wonky.
You might want to start off by eyeballing any recent tweaks you’ve made. Could be you updated the system, fiddled with your keyboard settings, or even toggled some accessibility features without noticing. It’s like when keys start behaving oddly or emojis pop in where numbers should be—changes like these could be the culprits.
To troubleshoot, a little tech wizardry might help:
- Give your phone a good old force restart. Sometimes it just needs a nap.
- Resetting all settings can shake things back into place, kind of like clearing cobwebs.
- Jump on the latest iOS update. Known bugs that mess with keyboard layouts often get squashed in updates. A buddy of mine had this “q” to “w” issue—no luck until they patched the phone up.
Next up, how about a keyboard refresh? On some models like the iPhone 14 Pro, removing and re-adding your keyboard can reset things. It’s like hitting the refresh button on a stalled video. Or you could plug in a physical keyboard for a sec—that sometimes jiggles everything back to normal.
Don’t overlook your accessibility settings. If you\’ve got features like VoiceOver turned on, they could be sidetracking your keyboard. Sometimes the focus gets all jumbled, so give it a tap dance to realign. If nothing else works, a total reset might be the final call.
Lastly, don’t rule out hardware hiccups. Though it’s rare, if software fixes don’t stick, there might be something off with the touchscreen. Try fiddling around in different apps to see if it’s a universal headache or just an app acting up.
To recap, here\’s the deal: Start with a restart and check for updates. Dive into keyboard and accessibility settings if trouble’s still brewing. You might have to remove and re-add your keyboard or hook up a physical one to reset things. And if you\’re still out of luck? Apple Support or a quick trip to the Apple Store might be your next stop to see if it’s a touch sensor issue.
These tried and true steps come from a mix of user experiences and solid advice from tech-savvy folks. It doesn\’t hurt to try them out!