How to test every key on your keyboard

A key may work only when you press it hard, miss every few taps, or fail when you hold several keys at once. Testing each key in a browser can help you tell whether the keyboard is registering input before you troubleshoot an app or replace anything.

The Keyboard Test checks which keys register and how many can work at the same time. Some keys are handled by your computer before they reach the browser, so a browser test cannot confirm every key on every keyboard.

Test every key

1. Open the Keyboard Test on the computer with the keyboard you want to check.
2. Click or tap the test page first, so it has focus. If the browser asks whether to allow keyboard input, follow its prompt.
3. Press and release each key once, including the letter and number keys, punctuation, function row, arrows, and keys around the edges. Look for each press to register on the test screen.
4. Press keys that are often used together, such as Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or several keys used in a game. Check whether all the keys register at the same time. Avoid combinations that trigger actions you do not want.
5. Repeat any key that seemed unreliable. Press it at the center, then at different edges, and compare the result with nearby keys.

Use the physical layout printed on your keyboard as your checklist. A different language or keyboard layout can change what a key types, but it should still register as a key press.

What the result means

Every tested key registers

The browser is receiving those key presses. If a key still does not type correctly in a particular app, check that app's keyboard shortcuts, input language, or settings. A browser test checks input, not what an app does with it.

One key fails every time

The computer is not receiving that key from the keyboard. It could be debris or damage under the key, a connection issue, or a keyboard setting. Try the fixes below, then test the keyboard on another computer if you can.

A key registers only when pressed hard or at an angle

The key switch or its contact may be worn or obstructed. If other keys work normally, this points more toward a problem with that key than with the browser. Do not pour liquid or cleaning spray into the keyboard.

Keys work alone but fail together

The keyboard may have a limit on how many keys it can report at once, sometimes called rollover. The exact combinations that work can vary by keyboard. For a more focused explanation and test, see How to test N-key rollover on a gaming keyboard.

Fn or a system key does not appear

This does not prove the key is broken. The Fn key never reaches the browser. The Windows key, Print Screen, and laptop shortcut keys for brightness, volume, or Wi-Fi are usually handled by the operating system first. See Why laptop function keys do not register online for more about the function row.

How to fix a key that does not register

1. Check the page and keyboard connection. Click the test page again and retry. For a USB keyboard, unplug it and connect it directly to another port. For a wireless keyboard, check its power, receiver, or Bluetooth connection.
2. Check for a setting that changes key behavior. In Windows 11, open Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard and check whether Filter Keys is on. On a Mac, open System Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard and check whether Slow Keys is on. These settings can make a press seem delayed or ignored.
3. Check the keyboard layout. In Windows 11, open Settings › Time & language › Language & region, select the language's options, and review the installed keyboard layouts. On a Mac, open System Settings › Keyboard › Text Input › Edit and check the input source. A layout mismatch changes which character appears, but it should not stop a key from registering in the test.
4. Restart the computer and test again. This can clear a temporary input or driver problem. If the keyboard has a manufacturer utility, check whether it has a gaming mode, a locked key, or a setting that remaps keys.
5. Compare with another keyboard or computer. If the same key fails on another computer, the problem is likely in the keyboard. If it works elsewhere, focus on the original computer's settings, connection, or software.

When the keyboard may be damaged

If a key still fails on more than one computer, while the rest of the keyboard works, the keyboard itself may be faulty. A key that sticks, feels loose, or stopped working after a spill can need repair or replacement. Check the warranty before opening the keyboard, especially on a laptop, where the keyboard can be difficult to replace.

Some laptop shortcuts require Fn together with another key, and the action may depend on a setting or manufacturer utility. The browser cannot verify that shortcut directly. Check the laptop's keyboard settings or test the shortcut's effect, such as whether brightness changes, outside the browser test.