How to Fix Android Keyboard Not Working

Fix your Android keyboard when it stops responding with these proven troubleshooting steps. Restore typing functionality in minutes.

1. Force close and restart the keyboard app. Open Settings > Apps > See all apps. Find your keyboard app (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, or SwiftKey). Tap Force stop, then reopen any app that requires typing to reactivate the keyboard.
2. Clear the keyboard app cache and data. In Settings > Apps, select your keyboard app. Tap Storage & cache > Clear cache. If the problem persists, tap Clear storage (this resets all keyboard settings including custom words and themes).
3. Check keyboard permissions. Go to Settings > Apps > [Your keyboard app] > Permissions. Ensure all necessary permissions are enabled. For Gboard, this typically includes Microphone for voice typing and Location for location-based suggestions.
4. Switch to a different keyboard temporarily. Open Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard. Enable a different keyboard (like Android Keyboard AOSP if available). Test if the new keyboard works properly.
5. Update or reinstall the keyboard app. Open Google Play Store and search for your keyboard app. If an update is available, tap Update. For third-party keyboards, you can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the app completely.
6. Restart your Android device. Hold the power button and select Restart (or hold power + volume down for 10 seconds on some devices). This clears temporary system files that might be interfering with keyboard functionality.
7. Reset keyboard settings to default. Navigate to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset app preferences. This restores all app permissions and default applications without deleting personal data. Confirm the reset and test your keyboard.