9 Common Galaxy S9 Keyboard Problems & How to Fix Them

In this guide we’ll explain a few common Galaxy S9 keyboard problems and how to fix them. Samsung’s Galaxy keyboard has a lot to offer and plenty to like, but it’s far from perfect. Here’s what to know about these issues or how to install a new keyboard completely.

Most likely you use the keyboard that came with the Galaxy S9, instead of downloading one of the many alternatives on the Google Play Store. And while it has some customization options, others have a lot more. Or, it’s frustrating when words don’t capitalize or you get extra spaces in sentences.

Read: 35 Samsung Galaxy S9 Tips & Tricks

If you’re experiencing issues while trying to text on the Galaxy S9, you’re not alone. We’re seeing complaints about keyboard sensitivity issues, capitalization issues, autocorrect, or issues with the keyboard when horizontal. We’ll help you fix the problems listed below, or explain settings you can change to avoid them.

• Galaxy S9 Keyboard Sensitivity Issues & Dead Spots
• Keyboard Not Capitalizing
• Keyboard Not Showing Up At All
• General Keyboard Lag & Problems
• Galaxy S9 Autocorrect Problems
• Predictions and Suggestions Not Appearing
• Keyboard Sounds Missing
• Other Typing and Swiping Problems
• How to Replace the Keyboard

Galaxy S9 Keyboard Sensitivity Issues or Dead Spots

Early on in the release of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners started complaining about touchscreen issues. Basically, some users were having sensitivity issues or dead spots on the screen. As a result, some letters didn’t show up when they were typing. We only saw a few complaints about this and it quickly went away.

However, when you install a Galaxy S9 screen protector some of those sensitivity issues will creep back up. Not all glass has the same curve, and you might experience dead spots where taps don’t get recognized. Whatever your Galaxy S9 touchscreen sensitivity issue is, here’s how to fix it.

Simply go to Settings > Advanced Features > and scroll to the very bottom and turn on increased Touch Sensitivity. Flip the switch to ON, and you’re all set. This should fix most touchscreen sensitivity issues. If you’re still experiencing dead spots, you might need a replacement device.

Galaxy S9 Keyboard Not Capitalizing

Another problem we hear about on the Galaxy S8, Note 8 and Galaxy S9 keyboard is regarding capitalization. Basically, Samsung’s keyboard doesn’t always capitalize words or names, especially at the beginning of a sentence. Or, it will autocorrect to lowercase, which is frustrating.

Read: How to Fix Galaxy S9 AutoCorrect Problems

By default, the keyboard should automatically capitalize the first word of any sentence. So, first of all, make sure you didn’t turn off the auto capitalization feature. Head to Settings > General Management > Language & input > On-screen keyboard > Samsung Keyboard and look through the list of options. The 3rd option is what you’re looking for, as shown below.

If you still have capitalization problems you can try turning off autocorrect, or clearing the cache on your keyboard, which we’ll explain below. Some users suggested installing a new keyboard from the Google Play Store. Then go to Settings and switch the phone to use that new keyboard, then back to Samsung’s. This gives it a fresh start and fixes most little issues.

Galaxy S9 Keyboard Not Showing Up at All

Apparently, the Galaxy S9 keyboard just doesn’t show up at all sometimes, and we saw similar complaints from Galaxy Note 8 owner. Sadly, there’s no way to fix this in settings. It’s basically a software glitch, and we have two steps that should fix it.

For almost any keyboard problem your first step is a quick reboot of the phone. Press and hold the power button and hit Restart. When the phone reboots the keyboard should go back to full working order.

Next, if the keyboard is still missing try clearing the cache for the Samsung keyboard app. This is actually easier than it sounds. Go to Settings > Apps > All Apps > and scroll down until you find Samsung Keyboard. Now, just tap on it and select Force Stop. You can also click on Storage, then clear the keyboard data and cache. Just know that this might delete your saved dictionary.

Galaxy S9 Keyboard Lag

We’re seeing a few complaints about keyboard lag, which is why we recommend just downloading Google’s Gboard keyboard. If your Galaxy S9 keyboard can’t keep up with your fast typing, and it seems like it’s lagging, you know what we mean. Typically this fixes itself, but if not, try our trick below.

Go into Settings > General Management > Language & Input > On-screen Keyboard > Samsung Keyboard and scroll to the very bottom. Now, select “Reset to Default Settings” and then tap the “Reset keyboard settings” option too. This will revert any and all changes you’ve made to the keyboard. So while it might ruin some of the settings we explained above, it will fix the frustrating lag.

This step can potentially fix any and all Galaxy S9 keyboard problems you’re facing. Just know that it deletes most changes or personalization at the same time.

Galaxy S9 Autocorrect Problems

Samsung’s keyboard learns from your typing habits over time, and gradually get more accurate when it comes to autocorrect or word predictions. However, we all know that sometimes that doesn’t happen at all. In fact, a lot of the time autocorrect ruins a perfectly normal word or sentence, which is very frustrating. Try typing “to/too”, “home” or “come”, and you might get “top”, “hone”, and “cone” instead. That’s the autocorrect feature failing, so here’s how to fix it.

Simply turn off autocorrect, or change the settings shown above. Go back to your keyboard settings following the instructions we mentioned earlier, and change auto spell check and auto-replace. By turning this off the phone won’t automatically replace words and mess up your sentences.

Keyboard Predictions Not Appearing

However, sometimes those predictions and autocorrections never even show up on your screen. It’s like the keyboard forgets it has a job to do. If you’re not seeing those helpful predictions here’s how to fix it. This will also fix the problem where after a prediction you get a weird double-space in your sentence.

Go back to Settings > General Management > Language & input > On-screen Keyboard > Samsung and look through the settings list. Make sure “Predictive Text” is enabled, and try toggling it off and back on. Sometimes it just gets stuck. In our last steps you turned off auto-replace, but make sure you didn’t uncheck predictive text at the same time.

And finally, you’ll also see “Auto spacing” in this menu, which inserts a space automatically after you add a word using predictive text. When you choose a predicted word or hit spacebar to use the highlighted word, the software adds a space for you. Then, you added a space yourself out of habit. That’s where the double-space is coming from.

Disable auto spacing or turn off predictive text completely. Choose what works best for you.

Galaxy S9 Keyboard Sounds

Keyboard sounds are a helpful confirmation that you’ve hit the button you want. Most people like this feature, or instantly turn it off. If you were expecting keyboard sounds but they’re missing here’s how to turn them back on. Additionally, follow these steps to turn off keyboard sounds so your phone isn’t making a ton of noise and interrupting people around you.

For this step, we’re going to general phone settings, not the keyboard settings. Pull down the notification bar and tap the gear-shaped settings button. Then navigate to Sounds & Vibration > and scroll down the Keyboard sound. Make sure this isn’t turned off. Flip the switch on, and your keyboard sounds should come back. Or, do everyone a favor and turn them off. While you’re here, turn off touch sounds, screen lock sounds, and dial pad tones. They’re all unnecessary.

Another potential reason for this is your phone is in silent mode. Yes, gets rid of the keyboard sounds too. Press the volume up button and make sure your Galaxy S9 isn’t in silent mode, or vibrate only mode.

Galaxy S9 Keyboard Typing or Swiping Problems

If you’re experiencing random problems in general, or are having a hard time swiping to type on the Galaxy S9, there are a few things we can try. First, make sure swipe or gesture typing is turned on in your keyboard settings.

However, the biggest problem with the Galaxy S9 display or keyboard and typing come from your screen protector. Do you have a screen protector on your phone? Thanks to the curved screen some of them don’t fit right. As a result, some swipes or taps don’t register because the curve doesn’t match your phone. You think it’s the keyboard, but it’s actually just your screen protector. Obviously, this isn’t ideal, but take it off and try again. Or, turn up sensitivity as we mentioned earlier.

Replace the Galaxy S9 Keyboard

Last but not least, and probably our most helpful tip, is to simply replace the keyboard on your phone. There are dozens of replacements on the Play Store, including Google’s excellent keyboard for Android. Replacement keyboards typically have more options, better controls, and tons of customization options.

We’ve put together a list of the best third-party keyboards for Android. Try one of those, or just get Gboard, by Google. Here’s a guide to changing the Galaxy S9 keyboard. Once you change it out you’ll probably have fewer problems, more options, and enjoy the experience.

Before you go, take a peek at these common Galaxy S9 problems & fixes, and keep your screen safe with one of these highly recommended screen protectors.