▷ Solution: Gboard does not work

Your Gboard might stop working due to a corrupt cache and data, an outdated Gboard app or a bad update. The error message indicates that »Unfortunately, Gboard has stopped »when you are using it or randomly when you are switching applications.

Gboard has stopped working

How to repair Gboard virtual keyboard?

Gboard is a cross-platform application, which has apps for Android TVs, iOS and Android. It will not be possible to list solutions for all versions. You may need to dig deeper for the solution to work for you based on the problem scenarios and symptoms.

What's more, there are two scenarios for this error,

A. When a user can use their device.

B. When a user cannot enter the password to unlock their phone because the keypad (Gboard) it does not work.

If you are experiencing the second scenario, follow the last three solutions. For other users, you can try to restore your Gboard by following the solutions mentioned below.

1. Make sure you have a working internet connection.

2. Close all running or suspended applications.

3. If you use the Gboard with a smart TV, make sure there is no receiver for the mouse / wireless keyboard.

4. If it is not locked on your phone, install another keyboard from the store asap.

5. Make sure Gboard is your main or default keyboard.

Force stop the Gboard app

Gboard can get stuck in operation and leave it abandoned. Then, forced stop (do not close) the app can fix the problem. Basically, this will erase all operational and temporary keyboard settings and reset them when we reopen the app.

1. On your device, open Settings.

2. Now, Find and click Applications (o Application manager).

3. Then find and tap on Gboard. Open Gboard in apps

4. Now tap Force stop and then confirm to force stop by tapping OK. Force stop the Gboard app

5. Now open any application where you have to use a keyboard and check if Gboard works fine.

Disable and re-enable Gboard from keyboard settings

In android, keyboards are handled in Language and Input. Disabling Gboard and re-enabling it may resolve the issue if there are issues with preferences.

1. Open your device settings.

2. Find and tap Language & input (can be in More settings). Open language and input

3. Now tap on Virtual keyboard (You can see the Current Keyboard option depending on your model). Open the virtual keyboard

4. Now disable Gboard and then re-enable it. Disable and re-enable Gboard

5. Now check if Gboard works fine.

6. If that is not the case, reopen Virtual Keyboard settings. Now disable all keyboards and then re-enable Gboard and check if it works fine.

Reboot your device

Gboard stopping may be due to a software glitch, which can be corrected with a simple reboot of the phone. But if your device requires a password when rebooting, do not restart your device. In this way, you will not be able to enter the password if Gboard does not work (you can continue if the default keyboard still works).

1. Press and hold the power button on your phone.

2. Then tap Restart. Reboot your device

3. Once your phone has rebooted, check if Gboard works fine.

Clear Gboard app cache and data

Data corruption / Gboard app cache may prevent Gboard from working. Then, clearing the cache and data of the Gboard app can solve the problem. What's more, if you have Gboard problem in single app, clearing the cache and data of that app may also solve the problem.

1. On your phone, open Settings.

2. Then find and click on Applications (o Application manager).

3. Then find and tap on Gboard.

4. Then tap Storage. Gboard open storage

5. Now tap Clear cache and then confirm to clear cache.

6. Then tap Clear data and confirm to clear the data. Clear Gboard cache and data

7. Now launch any application where you need to use a keyboard and check if Gboard works fine.

Update Gboard to the latest build

Gboard is frequently updated to add new features and improve performance. What's more, known bugs are fixed with new updates and if the issue you are facing is due to a known bug, updating to the latest version may solve the problem.

1. Launch Play Store and open Burger menu.

2. Then tap My apps and games. Clicking on the My apps and games option

3. Now find and tap on Gboard.

4. Then click Update. Update Gboard

5. After completing the update process, check if the problem has been fixed.

Uninstall updates for Gboard

Gboard has a known history of patchy updates. The current Gboard issue could be the result of an irregular update. Then, uninstalling the updates might solve the problem. This option may or may not be available (depending on the make and model of your device) to all users.

1. Launch the Play Store and open the Hamburger menu by tapping on it.

2. Then tap My apps and games.

3. Now find and tap on Gboard.

4. Then touch 3 points (action menu) near the upper right corner. Uninstall Gboard updates

5. Now tap on Uninstall updates.

6. After uninstalling updates, check if Gboard works fine.

Uninstall and reinstall the Gboard app

If nothing has helped you so far, uninstalling Gboard and then reinstalling it may solve the problem. This will fix any corruption issues that you are facing due to faulty installation of the application.

1. Launch Play Store and open hamburger menu.

2. Then tap My apps and games.

3. Now find and tap on Gboard.

4. Then tap Uninstall and confirm the uninstall. Uninstall Gboard

5. After completing the uninstall process, reinstall the Gboard app and check if it works normally.

Go back to your device keyboard or use any other keyboard app

If nothing has worked for you, time to go back to your device's replacement keyboard or install another keyboard app. If you have trouble uninstalling the Gboard app, you can use the safe mode of your device to uninstall Gboard.

1. Press and hold the power button on your device.

2. Now press the Power off option for a long time until you see the message stating that “you want to start in safe mode”.

3. Press OK and wait for the phone to boot into safe mode (you can see safe mode in the corner of the screen). Restart in safe mode

4. Now uninstall the Gbaord app (since normally any application is uninstalled) and restart your device normally.

What if you can't access the device?

If you can't use the phone, your options are limited. Try the following solutions before factory resetting your device (last resource).

Use the web version of the Play Store

If you have left the device, use the web version of Google Play Store to uninstall, reinstall or update Gboard. You can also install another keyboard app as an alternative.

1. Open Play Store in a web browser.

2. Now find Gboard and click on it.

3. If it appears as installed, click Installed, then in the popup that appeared, select your device and continue with the installation. Click Installed on Gboard

4. If it shows install, install the app.

5. If an update is available, click Update.

6. After install / update the Gboard app, check if the problem is solved.

7. Otherwise, try installing another keyboard app through the Google Play website, so you can access your device.

Connect a physical keyboard to your device

If nothing has helped you connect to your device, then it's time to try a real USB keyboard / physically connected to your phone via an OTG adapter.

1. Connect an OTG adapter to your USB keyboard. OTG adapter

2. Connect the OTG adapter to the device and check if you can type the password.

Factory reset

If nothing has worked for you so far, maybe your only option is to perform a factory reset. Please note that this will erase all existing data on your Android device. Make sure to backup all important information before proceeding. What's more, you will be asked to enter your Google email address and password if your device is registered with it.