Symptoms
- Opening the cover doesn't wake the tablet
- Closing the cover doesn't put it to sleep
- Worked before and stopped recently
Likely causes
- CommonSmart cover feature turned off in settingsThis setting can be toggled off accidentally and needs to be re-enabled.
- CommonMagnets in the cover misaligned or weakenedA cover that's shifted, warped, or aged can fail to trigger the internal sensor properly.
- PossibleSensor inside the tablet not detecting the magnetCan happen if a case or other magnetic accessory is also attached, causing interference.
What to do
- Check settings for a 'Smart Cover' or similar auto-lock feature and make sure it's enabled.
- Remove any other case or magnetic accessory that might interfere with the sensor.
- Try opening and closing the cover at different points along the edge to see if only part of the magnetic strip works.
- Clean the edge of the tablet where the sensor is located, in case debris is blocking detection.
- Restart the tablet to rule out a temporary software glitch.
- If the setting is enabled and the cover still doesn't trigger it, the cover's magnets may have weakened and need replacing.
Tools and parts
Replacement smart coverSearch: “smart cover for your tablet model”
When to call a pro
This is rarely a repairable hardware fault inside the tablet; a new cover is the usual fix if the magnets have weakened.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.