Chromebooks are computers that run ChromeOS. They are usually lightweight and have a touchscreen. You can get a Chromebook in different forms, such as a computer, tablet, or sometimes both. Most Chromebooks come with a Keyboard, which makes it easier to type and work on them.

Sometimes you get a 2-in-1 Chromebook, or your job requires you to work with the touchscreen a lot, in which case it can be a bit of a hassle to switch between the touchscreen and the physical keyboard several times a day. This is where ChromeOS’s on-screen keyboard comes in.

Reasons to Use On-Screen Keyboard on Chromebook

There are several reasons why someone might want to use an on-screen keyboard on a Chromebook, including:

• Accessibility: for those with physical limitations, such as limited mobility or dexterity, an on-screen keyboard may be easier to use than a physical keyboard.
• Touchscreen: If your Chromebook has a touchscreen display, you may be more comfortable using the onscreen keyboard for touch-based input than a physical keyboard.
• Physical keyboard problem: If your Chromebook’s physical keyboard is broken or a key is stuck, the on-screen keyboard can be a helpful solution to continue using your device.
• Screen size: if you have a small Chromebook or work in a cramped space, the on-screen keyboard can be a more space-efficient option than a physical keyboard.
• Multilingual support: the on-screen keyboard can be useful for users who need to type in multiple languages and do not want to switch between physical keyboards or key layouts. The on-screen keyboard usually offers a variety of international keyboards and layouts that can be easily switched between.

Now that it’s clear why someone would want to use a virtual keyboard on ChromeOS, we’ll show you how to enable the on-screen keyboard on your Chromebook and also how to disable it and customize it according to your needs.

Let us get started.

Easily Enable the On-Screen Keyboard on Your Chromebook

When you use your Chromebook as a tablet, you can simply use the on-screen keyboard to type things. The on-screen keyboard is also useful when your physical keyboard stops working, but you need to type something quickly.

You can enable the on-screen keyboard on a Chromebook by following the steps below:

1. Click on time in the lower-right corner of the screen.
2. Click the gear icon to open the Settings menu.                                                   
3. Scroll down and click on the Accessibility option.                                                   
4. Then click on the Keyboard and text input option.                                                
5. Turn on the toggle switch next to the On-screen keyboard option.                      

You can now access the on-screen keyboard by clicking the keyboard icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar.

How to Disable the On-Screen Keyboard on Your Chromebook

If you do not want to use the virtual keyboard on your Chromebook, you can easily disable it by following the steps below.

1. Click on time in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Click on the gear icon to open the Settings menu.                                                  
3. Scroll down and click on the Accessibility option.                                                  
4. Next, click on the Keyboard and text input option.                                                
5. Turn off the toggle switch next to the On-screen keyboard option.                    

Now you can no longer access the on-screen keyboard on your Chromebook. You can turn it back on at any time by following the steps described in the previous section.

How to Enable and Disable the Virtual Keyboard on Chromebook

The on-screen keyboard on your Chromebook can be helpful in several situations. If you have a ChromeOS tablet that does not come with a keyboard, then the virtual keyboard is the only way to enter data on your device. Otherwise, it can also serve as a replacement for your physical keyboard if it breaks.

Now that you know how to enable and disable the on-screen keyboard on your Chromebook, you can use it to your advantage. Leave your suggestions on ChromeOS below.

FAQs Related to Enabling the On-Screen Keyboard on Chromebook