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Tests

Guides for testing your keyboard, mouse, screen, sound, network and other hardware, and for fixing what the tests find.

Tests What a browser-based hardware check cannot detect Learn what a browser-based hardware check can confirm, what it cannot see, and how to follow up when a test reports a problem. Michael ReedOctober 23, 20265 min read
Tests Why your keyboard types symbols instead of letters Find out whether a stuck modifier, keyboard layout, or remapping is making your keyboard type symbols instead of letters, then fix the cause. Daniel HayesOctober 23, 20264 min read
Tests How to detect a key that stays pressed Use a browser keyboard test to check whether a key keeps registering after release, then find out whether the cause is dirt, software, or hardware. Ryan MitchellOctober 23, 20265 min read
Tests Why arrow keys scroll instead of moving the cursor Find out why arrow keys scroll the page or sheet instead of moving the cursor, test whether the keys register, and fix focus or Scroll Lock. Kevin DoyleOctober 23, 20265 min read
Tests How to test if a USB adapter adds mic noise Compare the same microphone with and without a USB adapter to find hiss, crackle, level changes, and other noise, then narrow down the cause. Daniel HayesOctober 23, 20265 min read
Tests How to find the cleanest microphone input before a webinar Compare your microphones in a quiet room, hear background noise and distortion, and choose a clean input before your next webinar. Jason TurnerOctober 23, 20264 min read
Tests How to check laptop battery drain in a browser Check your laptop's battery drain with a browser meter, compare the rate under the same conditions, and learn what to change if it drops fast. Daniel HayesOctober 23, 20264 min read
Tests Why audio sounds centered in only one headphone Use a left and right channel test to find out whether the cause is mono audio, a balance setting, an app, or a headphone connection. Michael ReedOctober 23, 20265 min read
Tests How to tell if Windows is mixing stereo into mono Use a left and right speaker test to find out whether Windows combines stereo channels, then check the mono setting, output device, and app. Kevin DoyleOctober 23, 20264 min read
Tests How to compare CPU speed before and after heating Run the same CPU benchmark before and after a heat test to see whether performance drops, then learn how to make the comparison fair. Michael ReedOctober 23, 20264 min read
Tests Laptop fan loud but performance drops Find out whether heat is slowing your laptop, how to check it with a browser test, and what to fix before paying for a repair. Jason TurnerOctober 23, 20265 min read
Tests Why battery life estimates jump up and down Learn why your laptop's remaining battery time keeps changing, how to read the drain rate, and what to check before blaming the battery. Ryan MitchellOctober 23, 20265 min read