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Why Your Android Keyboard Isn’t Showing Up, and How to Fix It

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Writer, Android

Chizara is a technical writer who loves learning new things and sharing her knowledge with people in simple, clear terms. As part of her coursework, she is learning about Extended Reality and the Metaverse. She currently serves as a writer at Gotechtor covering all things Android.

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Imagine you picked up your phone to respond to a text message only to find that the Android keyboard is not showing up.

You close the app and reopen it, but the Android keyboard still does not appear. Nothing seems to work, and you’re getting frustrated. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

In this guide, you’ll learn why your Android keyboard is not showing up and what to do to get your keyboard back on your Android. Let’s get started.

Why Is the Android Keyboard Not Showing?

The reason why your Android keyboard is not showing up is because of a recent bug or a cache problem. Luckily, this is an easy problem to fix.

There are other reasons why your Android keyboard could stop showing up, including:

  • An incompatible keyboard app update
  • Low storage on the Android device
  • A filled-up keyboard app cache
  • Using a Bluetooth keyboard

Before you start troubleshooting, first, see if the keyboard works in other apps. If you’re having trouble with only one app, try closing and reopening it.

If the keyboard doesn’t work in any app, check if a Bluetooth keyboard is connected accidentally. If it is, disconnect it to allow your phone’s virtual keyboard to function properly.

How to Fix the “Android Keyboard Not Showing” Issue

To fix the “Android keyboard not showing” issue, make sure to clear the cache of the keyboard you’re using.

To do this, go to Settings > Apps > search for your keyboard > storage > clear cache.

Below are all the fixes for the “Android Keyboard Not Showing” problem. Try these fixes until you find the one that helps you get your keyboard back on your phone.

1. Restart Your Android Phone

When your Android keyboard is not showing up, the first thing to do is restart your device. Restarting your device clears your RAM and starts it on a clean slate, which can fix the keyboard issue.

To restart your device, follow these steps:

  • Long-press the power button on the side of your device until you see the power menu like the one below. (Depending on your Android device brand, it may look different.)
Restart android device
Restart Your Android Device. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on the Restart button and wait for your phone to power off and then on.

Try using your keyboard. It should appear now. If it still doesn’t show up, try the other fixes below.

2. Boot in Safe Mode

Another good way to troubleshoot your Android phone’s keyboard issues is by rebooting it in Safe Mode.

Activating Safe Mode initiates a reboot of the device with limited functionality, permitting only system apps to operate.

This diagnostic mode helps pinpoint whether your Android keyboard issue originates from a third-party app or the system itself. Here’s how to activate Safe Mode:

  1. Press and hold the side button, then long-press the Restart button.
  2. When a dialog box appears, select to reboot your Android phone in safe mode.

After your phone reboots in safe mode, test the keyboard. If it functions correctly, one of the installed apps may be causing the problem.

3. Clear the Keyboard’s Cache

Clearing the cache for your specific keyboard can help fix it when your keyboard is not showing on your Android mobile.

This fix works across different keyboards. Search for the keyboard you currently use. It could be the Google Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, Microsoft SwiftKey, or any other keyboard that comes with your Android device.

To clear the cache of the keyboard, follow these simple steps:

  • Go to Settings and click on the Apps panel.
Apps panel in the settings of an Android device
Apps Panel in Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Scroll and search for the keyboard application you use. For example, I will search for Gboard.
Google Keyboard app in the apps list of android d.evice
Gboard in Apps List. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Storage.
Storage of Gboard application in Android device
Gboard Storage. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on the Clear Cache button.
Clear Gboard app cache.
Clear Cache Button. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

You have now cleared the cache of your keyboard app. This should fix your problem, and your keyboard should appear now.

4. Clear the Keyboard’s Data

If the last fix didn’t work, you’ll need to clear the keyboard’s data. To do this, follow these steps:

  • Go back to the Storage of the app and click on Clear Data.
Clear data of Gboard app to fix Android Keyboard not showing error.
Clear Data Button. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • You will get a prompt asking if you are sure about clearing the data. Confirm the action by clicking OK.
Click Ok to confirm data clearance of Gboard app.
Affirm Data Clearance Action. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

The “Android keyboard not showing” error should be fixed now. If it isn’t, please move on to the next step.

5. Force Stop the Keyboard

Force-stopping your keyboard is one way of restarting it. Restarting your keyboard can help you remove bugs that prevent your keyboard from showing up.

Follow these steps to force stop your keyboard:

  • Go to Settings and select your keyboard app from the Apps panel.
Gboard app in apps list of an Android device.
Gboard in Apps List. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • At the bottom of the screen, click on the Force Stop button.
Force stop the keyboard app
Force Stop Button. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on OK if a caution prompt pops up.
Affirm the force-stop action
Click OK. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Test your keyboard using an app that requires typing on a keyboard, such as a note-taking app, to see if it works.

6. Clear App Cache

The “Android keyboard not showing” error could be caused by low memory space. Clearing unused app cache and junk files can free up space on your Android device.

To clear up the cache, please follow these simple steps:

  • Go to Settings and click on the Apps panel.
Apps panel in Android settings
Apps Panel in Android Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Select an app, go to its storage, and click “Clear Cache.”
Clear cache of the Camera app and other high storage apps
Clear Camera App Cache. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

We recommend you clear the cache of apps with high storage.

7. Update Your Keyboard App

If your keyboard app is outdated, updating it can fix the error that causes your Android keyboard not to appear.

Follow these steps to update your keyboard app:

  • Open the Google Play Store app and click your account icon at the top right.
  • Now, click on Manage Apps and Device.
Manage Apps and Device panel in Google Play Store
Manage Apps and Device in Google Play Store. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • If there are updates available, you will see that. Click on “Updates Available” to select the keyboard app update.
Check for keyboard app updates in Google Play Store
Check for Updates. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Update to update your keyboard app.
Update your Key board App
Update Keyboard App. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Your Android keyboard should be showing now. If it isn’t, don’t give up! The other fixes are bound to work.

8. Leave the Beta Program of Your Keyboard App

Most apps have a beta program where updates are tested before release to the general public.

If you use a third-party keyboard app like Gboard and are part of the beta program, you should leave the program and download the normal version from the Play Store.

1. Open the Google Play Store and click on your account icon at the top right.

2. Go to Manage Apps and Device.

Manage apps and devices panel in the Google Play Store App
Manage Apps and Devices. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

3. Click on the Manage panel and select your keyboard app.

Google Keyboard app in Google Play Store
Gboard App. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

4. Leave the Beta program.

Leave the keyboard app's beta program
Leave the Beta Program. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

5. Install the app normally and restart your phone. Your Android keyboard should be showing now.

9. Reset Your Keyboard Settings

Resetting your keyboard app takes it back to its original settings. This can fix the bug causing the “Android Keyboard not showing” error.

To reset your keyboard, follow these steps:

  • Open Settings and go to the General Management panel.
General management in settings of an Android device
General Management in Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Go to Language and Input.
Language and input panel in Android settings
Language and Input. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Select On-screen Keyboard.
On-screen keyboard settings
On-screen Keyboard. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Select your default keyboard from the list provided.
Select default keyboard from list
Select Default Keyboard. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Reset to default settings.
Reset the selected keyboard to its default settimgs
Reset Keyboard to Default Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Reset your keyboard settings
Reset Keyboard settings of Android device
Reset Keyboard Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Restart your phone and try using your keyboard. It should appear and work properly now.

10. Install an External Keyboard Using Voice Search

If the fixes above do not work, you might have to install a new keyboard. Since you cannot type, we advise using the voice search option in the Google Play Store search bar.

Install a new keyboard using voice search
Install New Keyboard. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

11. Factory Reset Your Device

You may need to factory reset your Android device. This should always be the last resort, but this might be your only option if all fails.

Please ensure that you back up all your important files and data in the cloud storage service of your choice, as a factory reset will clear all your data, files, and downloaded apps.

For your convenience, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to safely back up your Android phone.

To factory reset your phone, follow these simple steps:

  • Open Settings and go to General Management.
General Management in the Android settings panel
General Management in Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Reset.
Steps to reset Android device
Reset. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Choose the Factory Data Reset option. This will wipe out your phone and erase all of your data.
Run a factory data reset on your android device
Factory Data Reset. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click the Reset button to completely reset your phone to the factory settings.
Click on the reset button.
Reset Button. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

After resetting your phone, restart your phone. Your Android keyboard should start showing now.

Final Thoughts on Android Keyboard Not Showing

There are plenty of different reasons why your Android keyboard is not showing. Luckily, you can try each of the troubleshooting tips in this article to get your keyboard back on your phone.

We hope you found these fixes useful in helping you fix your Android keyboard not showing issues.

Did you manage to get the keyboard back on your phone? Did you find other ways to troubleshoot this issue? Leave us a comment down below.

Writer, Android

Chizara is a technical writer who loves learning new things and sharing her knowledge with people in simple, clear terms. As part of her coursework, she is learning about Extended Reality and the Metaverse. She currently serves as a writer at Gotechtor covering all things Android.

Chizara Ibeakanma

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1 thought on “Why Your Android Keyboard Isn’t Showing Up, and How to Fix It”

  1. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    The keyboard wasn’t working on my new Android 13 phone. I tried one of your solutions after another, holding off if they were more dramatic than some of the later ones. Then number 6, updating GBoard, fixed my problem.

    You’ve got some very bright people!

    Reply

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