M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard randomly stops working

Additional to the excellent suggestions from LotusPilot, I will suggest a few other points

Your report seems to be the only one of its kind (so far) so my feeling is this will be something unique to your setup, either a specific software glitch or a hardware defect (but which one... keyboard or iPad?)

Hit the App Store, and make sure all your third party apps are fully updated to the latest version. For apps you use regularly which might be suspects in the keyboard problem, go into each app's page and look with your eyes for any updates offered. I have seen it happen that updates exist but they have not been offered until I searched the hard way!

Try to think back to what you were doing in the last usage before the problem appeared (last hour or so). Is there a pattern, which might suggest one app is causing problems for everything else which follows?

Does the problem first appear each time in one specific app? (might be difficult to be sure if you have one app which you use more than others)

If you disconnect the Magic Keyboard after the problem appears and use your iPad stand alone, does it resume working correctly with on screen keyboard, or does the fault remain active until restart? (This might be a clue whether it is a software lock-up, -or- a hardware problem which is unlikely to roll through to standalone usage)

The bottom line is as LotusPilot suggests. If you can't resolve it in a day or two, get it raised as a case in the Apple Support system, and if it has not been cleared by Day 10 of your 14 day return window, reject the devices for replacement with new. My only reject experience (with a Series 3 Apple Watch) is that if there is a defect within 14 days they will probably offer to replace with a brand new replacement rather than have you return, refund, buy again. After 14 days you might get a service exchange unit, which could be reconditioned or new (no way to predict but I doubt there will be many reconditioned around for a few weeks yet).

I too am having the same problem. The function keys remain functional, and I am able to manually enter passcodes with the number keys, but typing text, punctuation and numbers do not work. Restarting does work for a while, then the problem keeps happening again. Does seem to point towards a software issue, given that a hardware issue would not have partial dysfunction of the keyboard, and would certainly not be resolved by restarting.

My issue is the Keyboard Commands and the trackpad clicks not responding at random. The trackpad will notice my finger movement but not clicks. With charger plugged in or not plugged in. I noticed the issue building up to the Ipad OS.

I‘m having the exact same issue on my iPad Pro 11“ since ages. I think it persists since the first iPad OS with external monitor support. It first occured to me with a 3rd party bluetooth keyboard. First I thought it might be some bluetooth issue, so I bought a Magic Keyboard. But the problem is still there on a daily basis.

My setup:

• iPad Pro 11“ with M1 Chip
• HP Z38c Monitor connected via USB-C

Some keys work all the time, like for example Cmd + Space to invoke Spotlight search. But as soon as there is an text-input, it‘s game-over.

Sometimes I‘m having limited success by force-quitting apps. Then text input works for some time. But sometimes nothing helps except restarting a device.

I think I will sell the iPad because of this. Currently it‘s my main computer for private usage. It‘s a pity because if it just worked, the iPad would offer everything I need besides work.

But the issue is so annoying that I will switch back to a Mac or maybe a Microsoft Surface.

I‘m also really dissapointed to read here, that the issue is still there on the newest M4 models. Such a pity: beautiful, powerful hardware, but a buggy OS that‘s lettings users down :(

Do let us know how you get on with Apple. All information concerning issues with the new models of iPad - and potential resolution thereof - is helpful.

I have the sale problem but it happened all of a sudden and never has restored.

My iPad Pro M4 suddenly stopped recognizing the Magic Keyboard. It will not even charge via the plug in the keyboard. I guess it’s the connection between the two that is damaged. I tried cleaning both sides (the three copper pins on the keyboard and the three contacts on the iPad) but it makes no difference.

has anyone got a bright idea to fix this?

thanks.

p

after an update to Ipad, "magic keyboard" became buggy. "accessory not supported" Reset ipad and it works for a little while. plugging charging cable into keyboard makes it happen sooner. since the magic keyboard does not work, I wonder if other aftermarket keyboards do work? Does anyone know? Or is apple working on the buggy update?

I am having the same issue also. I, like many buy into Apple as they tend to just work…. Not in this case.. This is not a small glitch, it’s a highly disruptive issue that impacts usability for customers that have purchased 2 high end products that’s purpose is to work together. I feel this is an exceptionally poor show and even poorer that Apple haven’t commented/provided resolution.

I have the new M4 Ipad pro and the new keyboard. I can say the new design of the magic keyboard does not work well with my new IPad PRo.

My old setup has zero issues of the IPad Pro with old magic keyboard.

The new one often cuts out the connection. Basically I cannot type on it anymore and have to fiddle and restart. It happens daily. It does not charge most of the time if I try to bypass charge though magic keyboard. It is so bad that I use my old Ipad and old magic keyboard if I am going to do any typing. I basically just use the new one for for writing because the keyboard is so terribly designed. I cannot believe Apple has put this product on the market.

This is very similar to my issues with the 13” m4 as well. Im thinking it’s the new OS since my i5 iMac, and my m1 MBP are experiencing buggy things ever since the updates. Programs freezing, or settings screen locking up and requiring force quit etc.

Leaving this here in case this helps someone. I just got the new iPad pro M4 and magic keyboard. I experienced the same issue: my screen would freeze up and I would not be able to type, tap, scroll… It affected most apps including Safari. I would not be able to scroll across screens using the trackpad…

I’d end up having to close Safari every few minutes or restart the iPad altogether very frequently.

What caused the issue for me was the hover typing feature which seems to conflict not only with the magic keyboard but the iPad too. I had it set up and on but the typing bar bugs. Since I turned it off, I’ve had no issues whatsoever.

Might be worth checking accessibility features and see if they’re on and conflicting with the hardware.

I’m still annoyed that I can’t use the accessibility options as this was one of the main reasons I moved from Android but at least I can use the magic keyboard which I love.