What to test after connecting new peripherals

You connected several new devices, and now you want to know whether they all work as expected. A keyboard can type while a shortcut key fails, a webcam can appear in one app but not another, and a display can look fine while using the wrong resolution.

Check each kind of device before relying on it. Test Everything runs available hardware checks step by step and gives you a report. It helps separate a problem with a peripheral from a setting or browser limitation.

Check the new devices

1. Open Test Everything in the browser on the computer where you connected the peripherals. Follow the test steps and note which device each result concerns. Tests need to run on the device you are checking.
2. Test the keyboard and mouse. Press each key you expect to use, then check the mouse buttons and scroll wheel. If you added a game controller, check its buttons and sticks too.
3. Test the camera and microphone. Allow browser access when prompted, then check that the camera preview appears and that the microphone responds to your voice. Close other calling or recording apps if a device is reported as busy.
4. Check speakers or headphones. Play the left and right channel test separately, and listen for missing sound, distortion, or a channel that plays on the wrong side.
5. Check the screen and any external storage you added. Look at each connected display's resolution, then test a USB drive or memory card with a suitable speed or capacity check if that is part of your setup.

If you want to repeat a single check, use the relevant tool directly: Keyboard Test, Mouse Test, Camera Test, Microphone Test, Speaker Test, Screens, or Gamepad Test. For an external USB drive or memory card, use USB & SD Speed Test.

What the results mean

The device passes its check

The browser can receive the expected input or output from that device. This does not guarantee that every program is using it, so choose the new device in the settings of the app where you need it. For example, a video call may still use the laptop's built-in microphone even though the new headset works.

One test fails, but other devices work

Focus on the device that failed. Check its connection, power, mute switch, and system settings. If it is one of several identical devices, select each in the relevant test or system menu rather than assuming the default choice is the new one.

The device does not appear or the test is unavailable

The browser may not have access to that feature, or the operating system may not have detected the device. A missing browser test is not proof that the hardware is broken. Try a current version of Chrome or Edge on a computer for features that require broader browser support, and check the operating system's device list.

Several new devices fail together

A shared connection or setting may be the cause. A USB hub, dock, Bluetooth connection, privacy permission, or recently changed sound output can affect more than one device. Disconnect the new peripherals, then reconnect and test them one at a time to find which connection or combination triggers the problem.

A key or laptop shortcut does not respond

Browsers cannot receive every key. The Fn key never reaches the browser, and the Windows key, Print Screen, and many brightness, volume, or Wi-Fi shortcuts are usually handled by the operating system first. Use the keyboard test for ordinary keys, and check the operating system or the keyboard's own software for special shortcuts.

How to fix a peripheral that fails

1. Check power and physical connections. Confirm that the device is switched on, charged, and fully plugged in. For USB devices, try another port and connect directly to the computer instead of through a hub.
2. Reconnect wireless devices. Check that Bluetooth is on and the device is charged. On Windows 11, open Settings › Bluetooth & devices. On macOS, open System Settings › Bluetooth. Remove and pair the device again if it appears connected but does not respond.
3. Choose the intended sound device. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Sound and select the new device under Output or Input. On macOS, open System Settings › Sound and select the device under Output or Input. Check mute and volume while you are there.
4. Allow camera and microphone access. On Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera or Microphone. On macOS, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera or Microphone, then allow your browser. Also check the permission icon by the browser address bar.
5. Check the display arrangement. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display and confirm the external screen is detected and set to a resolution it supports. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays and check the detected display and resolution.
6. Restart and test again. A restart can clear a device connection or app that did not initialize correctly. Afterward, test the failing peripheral by itself before reconnecting the others.

When the peripheral may be faulty

Test the device on another compatible computer if you can. If it fails there too, inspect the cable, connector, battery, and any physical damage. A USB device that disconnects when its cable moves may have a damaged cable or port. If a new device still fails when connected directly to another computer, contact the seller or manufacturer while it is under warranty rather than trying to repair it yourself.

Why browser tests do not cover every feature

A browser can check signals that the operating system makes available to web pages, such as keyboard input, camera access, and sound. It cannot test every driver, device-specific button, or feature controlled by manufacturer software. A browser keyboard test also cannot tell how much force a key needs, and a display check cannot confirm that every application uses the correct color profile.

Keep the Test Everything report and note which devices were connected when a problem appeared. That gives you a clear baseline if you need to contact support or compare the setup after a change.