Keyboard is not working on Galaxy phone or tablet

The on-screen keyboard is an integral part of using a Galaxy phone or tablet since it lets you reply to messages, search the web, and do other important tasks. If the keyboard isn't working or is unresponsive, you'll want to get it up and running again as soon as possible. Using the default keyboard, clearing the cache, and checking for software updates are some of the things you can do to solve the issue.
Woman holding a Galaxy S24 Ultra while typing
Woman holding a Galaxy S24 Ultra while typing

Keyboard is not working on Galaxy phone or tablet

Note
If you are experiencing issues with the keyboard automatically closing when you're typing, you can try adjusting the sensitivity along the edges of the screen. If you’re having trouble with your Lock screen, you can refer to our other guide for assistance with unlocking your device.
1

Use the default Samsung Keyboard.

We recommend using the Samsung Keyboard that comes preinstalled on your device. Third-party keyboard apps may cause problems. If you are having issues with an alternate keyboard app, you will need to contact its developer.

 

Navigate to and open Settings, then tap General management, and then tap Keyboard list and default. Tap Default keyboard, and then choose Samsung Keyboard.

2

Optimize with Device care.

Close all of the running apps on your phone or tablet. Then, navigate to and open Settings, tap Device care, and then tap Optimize now. This will close any apps that are running in the background and optimize certain settings.
3

Restart your device.

Restarting your device can help solve minor issues and bugs. However, restarting it will be a little different depending on your model:

 

  • On phones with a regular Power button, press and hold the Power button until the Power menu is displayed.
  • On phones without a dedicated Power button, swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to open the Quick settings panel. Tap the Power icon at the top of the screen. Tap Restart, and then tap Restart again to confirm. Your device will then turn on and off.
4

Clear the keyboard’s cache and data.

Navigate to and open Settings, then tap Apps, and then tap the sort icon. Tap the switch next to Show system apps, and then tap OK.

 

Next, select Samsung Keyboard, then tap Force stop, then tap OK when prompted. On the same screen, tap Storage. Tap Clear data, and then tap Delete. This will erase all your keyboard settings, including saved words.

 

Force stop icon highlighted

5

Check for software updates.

On your device, navigate to and open Settings, tap Software update, and then tap Download and install or Check for updates. If an update is available, follow the on-screen prompts to update your device. After the update, your device will restart.

 

If your carrier is Verizon, swipe to and tap System updates, and then tap Check for system updates.

6

Uninstall apps in Safe mode.

Sometimes third-party apps can cause errors or bugs to occur. Safe mode will run only Samsung apps and no third-party apps. If the keyboard still isn't working, you can try checking if third party apps are the problem using Safe mode.

 

First, open the Power menu:

 

  • On phones with a regular Power button, press and hold the Power button until the Power menu is displayed.
  • On phones without a dedicated Power button, swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to open the Quick settings panel. Tap the Power icon at the top of the screen.

 

Touch and hold Power off until the Safe mode icon is displayed. Tap Safe mode to restart your phone in Safe mode. If you've entered Safe mode successfully, you'll see "Safe mode" displayed at the bottom of the screen.

 

If the problem no longer occurs when you are in Safe mode, a third-party app was causing the problem. Uninstall any recently installed apps. Turn on the phone normally by restarting it, and then check if the keyboard is working. Repeat these steps until the issue is resolved.

Warning
You may need your Samsung account password or Lock screen password when resetting your phone or tablet. All your data will be erased. However, before resetting your device, you can use Smart Switch or a cloud account to back up your data onto an SD card or USB drive. If you have encrypted your SD card, it must be decrypted before resetting your device.
7

Factory reset your device.

If the keyboard is still not working, you can try performing a factory data reset. Please be aware that this will completely reset your device and erase all of your data. Be sure to back up your data before performing one.

 

Navigate to and open Settings, and then search for and select Factory data reset. Tap Factory data reset again, then tap Reset, and then tap Delete all. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset. You may need to enter your Samsung account password or Lock screen password. The phone or tablet will reboot.

 

When the phone or tablet reboots, it will have its original factory settings. You will need to go through the initial setup to finish setting up the phone or tablet. The device may require you to enter your Samsung or Google account information to complete the setup.

 

Before installing any apps, make sure that your phone or tablet is functioning normally by testing it.

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