How do I fix the keyboard on the password screen?

[Android Central Question]

On my Samsung tablet, the keyboard has stopped appearing when I want to write something. It was fine, until I turned off the tablet, turned it on again, then was locked out, because i cannot write in the password. I have tried restarting, and turning off and turning back on again. My tablet does not have a USB port, so I cannot attach a physical keyboard. Nor can I use a Bluetooth keyboard.
I think the cause of this is the keyboard app crashing, and since I am locked out I cannot update it.
Does anyone know how I can fix this, without resetting all the data on my Tablet?

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to Android Forums

I'd like to recommend creating a account so me or other members can assist you, as guest have limitations in replying here and if we need further Information to communicate with you.

I'll provide a link to register, please come back to your post so we can further assist you . Thank you

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[randomtabletuser]

ok. i have made my account. what do i do now/

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Which tablet do you have?

 

[randomtabletuser]

Samsung tab 3 LITE

 

[Rukbat]

See [Samsung] How to flash Stock ROM via ODIN. Reflash the ROM. (You'll lose all your work and installed apps, so I hope you have everything backed up.)

 

[B. Diddy]

The Tab 3 Lite should have a microUSB port. Where are you looking?

 

[randomtabletuser]

microUSB? you mean the charging port? there are no other openings.

 

[mustang7757]

microUSB? you mean the charging port? there are no other openings.

You might have to factory reset through recovery

 

[randomtabletuser]

aww... you sure there is no other way?

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Plug a keyboard in and enter the password, then troubleshoot why the keyboard isn't working. Simply clearing the cache on the app will probably fix it.

Micro usb(the charging port) is a USB port and Android has full keyboard/mouse support. Personally I have half a dozen micro USB to usb adapters because they've come free with numerous phones/tablets I bought. If you don't own one can probably get one off Amazon for $5.

There should be absolutely no reason to factory reset and especially no reason to reflash the OS as others suggested.

 

[mustang7757]

That would work from lock screen ? You don't need to be in the tablet already to enable it ?

 

[B. Diddy]

microUSB? you mean the charging port? there are no other openings.

Right -- as mentioned above, the microUSB port is used for charging and for data transfer. You probably need an OTG cable to connect the USB keyboard to the tablet's microUSB port, but those cables are pretty cheap.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

That would work from lock screen ? You don't need to be in the tablet already to enable it ?

Android has native support for USB keyboards/mice, plug them in and they just work, including on the lock screen.

It's just an input method, won't make the device any less secure. When I worked for Verizon I did it on a regular basis to get into phones with damaged screens when the display would show an image but fail to respond to touch. You can click and drag on a mouse for pattern unlock, click the numbers for pin unlock, or type in the pin/password with a keyboard.

 

[randomtabletuser]

Thanks. I'm ordering it online now. Thanks for your help, everyone!

 

[mustang7757]

Android has native support for USB keyboards/mice, plug them in and they just work, including on the lock screen.

It's just an input method, won't make the device any less secure. When I worked for Verizon I did it on a regular basis to get into phones with damaged screens when the display would show an image but fail to respond to touch. You can click and drag on a mouse for pattern unlock, click the numbers for pin unlock, or type in the pin/password with a keyboard.

Good to know , I know people done that while phone was open , didn't know it could be done while locked .