The backlit keyboard on iPad Magic Keyboard usually activates as soon as you attach the Magic Keyboard to the iPad Pro or iPad Air. However, there are times when this doesn’t occur, and the iPad Magic Keyboard backlight fails to turn on.

Thankfully, this is usually something that can be resolved easily, so don’t panic if you notice the keyboard illumination not working properly with your iPad Magic Keyboard.

Troubleshooting iPad Magic Keyboard Backlight Not Working

Here are some basic steps to help diagnose and resolve the issue of a non-working backlit Magic Keyboard on iPad Pro and iPad Air devices.

iPad Pro / Air Needs to Be Powered On and Charged for Keyboard Lighting to Function

Quick point: The iPad Pro or iPad Air must be powered on and have sufficient battery charge in order for the Magic Keyboard’s backlighting to function. If the device is off or out of power, the keyboard lights won’t come on. So, if your iPad has run out of battery, charge it first before moving forward with any troubleshooting steps.

Detach & Reconnect Magic Keyboard from iPad

Sometimes the connection between the iPad and Magic Keyboard might not be fully established or secure.

A simple initial fix is to detach the Magic Keyboard from the iPad and then reconnect it.

Ensure that the contact points are clean and free of debris, and that the magnetic attachment is solid.

Verify That Keyboard Lighting Is Enabled and Brightness Is Set High Enough

It's possible that the keyboard lighting has been turned all the way down or is dimmed so low that it's barely visible. In such cases, simply increasing the brightness should solve the problem. Adjusting the iPad Magic Keyboard lighting is straightforward:

Open Settings > General > Keyboards > Hardware Keyboard > move the keyboard backlighting slider to increase brightness.

Restart the iPad Pro / Air While Connected to Magic Keyboard

Turn off the iPad Air or iPad Pro, and then power it back on.

To do this, press and hold the Power button along with one of the Volume buttons until the ‘slide to power off’ screen appears, then slide to shut down.

After a short wait, press and hold the Power button again to restart the device.

This common troubleshooting method often resolves various issues, including Magic Keyboard lighting problems.

Alternatively, you can perform a force restart by pressing Volume Up, then Volume Down, and finally holding the Power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Test the Magic Keyboard in a Dark Room

The iPad Magic Keyboard automatically adjusts based on ambient light conditions detected by the iPad. If you're in a very bright environment like direct sunlight or under strong indoor lighting, the keyboard backlight may not turn on at all.

If you're using the Magic Keyboard in a well-lit room, the lighting may either remain off or be too faint to see clearly. Try taking the iPad into a darker space (like a room with the lights off or even a closet) and start typing on the Magic Keyboard.

In most cases, the keyboard lighting will activate in these conditions.

In Low Light Conditions, Manually Adjust Magic Keyboard Brightness

When in a dark setting, try manually adjusting the keyboard lighting by navigating to Settings > General > Keyboard > Hardware Keyboards > and moving the ‘Keyboard Backlighting’ slider to its maximum brightness level.

Ensure Nothing Is Blocking the Light Sensor

The ambient light sensor is located near the front-facing camera on both iPad Pro and iPad Air models. Make sure that nothing is covering this sensor—this includes cases, stickers, dirt, or other obstructions. A blocked light sensor can prevent the iPad from activating the Magic Keyboard's backlight.

iPad Magic Keyboard Backlight Still Not Working? Reach Out to Apple

If you’ve gone through all the steps above and still find that your Magic Keyboard isn't lighting up, you could be dealing with a defective unit or hardware-related problem. While uncommon, these situations do happen. In such cases, contacting Apple directly or visiting an Apple Store for assistance is your best bet. If the product is still under warranty, they’ll likely replace it (and maybe even if it's not, depending on who you speak with).

Have you managed to get your iPad Magic Keyboard lighting to work? Let us know what solution worked for you.

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