Keyboard test
Press the keys on your keyboard and watch them light up here. It finds keys that do not work, keys that type twice and keys that stick.
How to use it
- Click Start the test. While it is on, the page captures your keys, so shortcuts such as Tab and F5 will not do their usual job.
- Press every key once. A key turns green when it works.
- Press and hold several keys together to see how many your keyboard can handle at once.
- Press Stop the test when you are done. Keys that stay grey did not register.
Some keys cannot be tested in a browser. The Windows key, the function (Fn) key on laptops, and some media keys are handled by your system before the browser sees them. On some computers the Print Screen key only reports when you let go.
What the results mean
- A key stays grey: it is not sending a signal. Try cleaning it, then test again. On a laptop, check whether a hardware shortcut turned it off.
- Double presses: two presses of the same key less than 30 thousandths of a second apart usually mean a worn switch ("chatter"). A few can be real, many are a fault.
- Held at once: this shows how many keys your keyboard reads together. Some basic keyboards stop at 4 to 6 keys. That is not a problem for typing.
If keys do not work
First restart the computer and try another USB port, or another program. If one key fails on a laptop, dust or crumbs under the key are the usual cause. If a whole row fails, the keyboard or its cable may be broken. Try a different keyboard to find out which part is at fault. When you buy a replacement, see how to choose a keyboard.
Nothing you press here is recorded or sent. The test runs in your browser only.
Questions
How do I test my keyboard online?
Click Start, then press each key. A key lights up when the browser receives it. Keys that stay grey did not register.
Why is a key not working on my keyboard?
Common causes are dirt under the key, a worn switch, a loose cable or a setting that disables the key. Test it here and on another computer.
What is key chatter?
When a worn switch registers a single press as two or more. The test counts presses of the same key that come less than 30 milliseconds apart.
Can the test check the Fn key?
Usually not. The Fn key is handled by the keyboard itself and does not reach the browser.
Does this test work on a phone?
It needs a physical keyboard. On a phone, connect a Bluetooth keyboard first.