How to Open On Screen Keyboard on Chromebook

Key takeaways:

• Find the on-screen keyboard in Chromebook settings
• You can use it for typing if your physical keyboard is broken
• The keyboard supports emoji, voice, clipboard, and floating mode

Sometimes, the physical keyboard on my Chromebook just stops working, or I want to use tablet mode and need a virtual keyboard. If you’re in the same boat, you’re probably looking for a quick way to get that on-screen keyboard up and running.

This guide breaks down how to turn on the Chromebook virtual keyboard, step by step, and what you can do with it. I’ll also share some extra tips and features that make this tool pretty handy.

Step-by-step guide to enable the on-screen keyboard on Chromebook

Opening the settings and finding the accessibility menu

First, I head to the Chromebook settings. This is where all the magic happens. Just click on the time at the bottom right, then tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Inside Settings, scroll down or search for Accessibility. It might be called keyboard and text input now, since Google likes to change up the names. Either way, you’re looking for the section that deals with input and accessibility.

Enabling the on-screen keyboard feature

Once I’m in the right spot, there’s a toggle for the on-screen keyboard. I just flip that on. As soon as I do, a small keyboard icon pops up on the shelf (that’s the taskbar at the bottom of the screen).

If you’re curious about other Chromebook accessibility tricks, check out how to enable dark mode on Chromebook or how to change language on Chromebook.

Using the on-screen keyboard for typing and more

Clicking the new keyboard icon brings up the virtual keyboard. It looks pretty slick and works just like any Android keyboard. I can tap to type, drag it around in floating mode, or even use my finger or a stylus if I’m in tablet mode.

This keyboard isn’t just for typing letters. There’s an emoji button for when I want to drop a 😀 or 😂 in a chat. There’s also a clipboard button to paste stuff I copied earlier, and a scribble feature where I can write with a stylus and have it convert to text.

If you want to know more about using emojis, check out how to use emojis on Chromebook.

Voice input and autocorrect

I love that there’s a microphone icon for voice typing. Just tap it, speak, and the Chromebook types out what I say. There’s also the usual autocorrect and text prediction, so it tries to guess what I’m typing.

Floating mode and moving the keyboard

Sometimes the keyboard gets in the way. No problem. There’s a floating mode button, so I can move the keyboard anywhere on the screen. Just grab the move icon and drag it to where it’s not blocking my view.

Closing the keyboard

When I’m done, I just tap the keyboard icon again and it disappears. Back to full screen, no clutter.

What else can the Chromebook on-screen keyboard do?

• Works in any app where I can type
• Supports swipe typing (just drag my finger across letters)
• Emoji picker and clipboard manager built-in
• Handwriting-to-text with a stylus
• Voice typing for hands-free input
• Floating mode to move the keyboard around

If you’re having trouble with your keyboard, or need to type in tablet mode, this tool is a lifesaver.

Troubleshooting tips

If you don’t see the keyboard icon after turning it on, try restarting your Chromebook. Sometimes new settings need a reboot to show up.

If you’re still stuck, maybe your Chromebook needs an update. Here’s how to update Google Chrome on Chromebook.

For more Chromebook tips, check out tips for speeding up Chromebook or how to take a screenshot on a Chromebook.

FAQs

How do I turn off the on-screen keyboard on Chromebook?

Go back to Settings > Accessibility > keyboard and text input and toggle off the on-screen keyboard.

Can I use the on-screen keyboard in tablet mode?

Yes, it’s designed for tablet mode and works perfectly with touch.

Does the Chromebook on-screen keyboard support emoji?

Yep, just tap the emoji icon on the keyboard to open the picker. For more, see how to use emojis on Chromebook.

What if my physical keyboard is broken?

You can use the on-screen keyboard as a full replacement. If you want to try fixing the hardware, see how to fix keyboard can’t press multiple keys.

How do I move the on-screen keyboard?

Tap the floating mode icon, then drag the keyboard wherever you want on the screen.

That’s the lowdown on getting the on-screen keyboard working on Chromebook. If you want more Chromebook hacks, check out open on-screen keyboard Chromebook for a quick refresher. 🚀

Citations:
[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/797345/2c65cbc8-fd8b-4097-b6fc-d6b679407186/Ultimate-ChatGPT-Banned-Words.txt
[2] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/797345/604b2c3a-9491-4933-9e6f-b194012cb05e/AG-URL-18-04-2025.CSV
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWXsGb9OKJg
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/1h7ujj4/does_the_on_screen_keyboard_appear_on_the_login/
[5] https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/6076237
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cYXUSn5iQs
[7] https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/how-to-use-the-on-screen-keyboard-in-chrome-os
[8] https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/work-life/how-to-enable-and-use-the-chromeos-virtual-keyboard/
[9] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/tvp4oz/keyboard_shortcut_for_onscreen_keyboard/
[10] https://www.reddit.com/r/Crostini/comments/x0vlkc/virtual_keyboard_advanced_touchscreen_support/
[11] https://accessibility.shell.com/chrome-os-chromebook-using-the-on-screen-keyboard-2
[12] https://support.google.com/chromebook/thread/151937943/on-screen-keyboard-keeps-popping-up
[13] https://techpp.com/2023/03/17/how-to-enable-on-screen-keyboard-on-chromebook/
[14] https://www.reddit.com/r/k12sysadmin/comments/1fj08yi/keyboard_not_working_on_chromebook_login_screen/
[15] https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/14k218u/chromebook_stuck_in_tablet_mode_keyboard_and/
[16] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/mw6mfz/disable_onscreen_keyboard_popup/
[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/16x7g4f/onscreen_keyboard_issue_has_returned_help/
[18] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/n8fniq/how_to_stop_on_screen_keyboard_pop_up_when/
[19] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/j0ovuo/changing_the_onscreen_keyboard/
[20] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/qfryte/on_screen_keyboard_pops_up_on_boot/
[21] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_u6kcjjSRY
[22] https://community.acer.com/en/kb/articles/16479-how-to-enable-the-on-screen-keyboard-on-chromebooks
[23] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IELqrMVnI60

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Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share