Keyboard Tester
Press any key on your physical keyboard and watch it light up on the screen. If a key stays dark after you press it, that key may be dead, stuck, or not registering properly.
How to Use This Keyboard Tester
- Look at the on-screen keyboard below. It shows every key on a standard desktop keyboard.
- Press any physical key on your own keyboard. The matching key on the screen will turn green while you hold it.
- Release the key. It will return to its normal gray color.
- Test every key one by one: letters, numbers, symbols, function keys, modifiers, and arrow keys.
- If a key never highlights, it is likely dead or unresponsive. Try a different keyboard to confirm the issue.
- Click Reset Test at the bottom to clear the history and start fresh.
Note: This tester works best on a desktop or laptop with a physical keyboard. It will not work reliably on mobile devices because phones and tablets do not use the same key code system.
Keys Currently Pressed
0
Unique Keys Tested
0
Tester Status
Ready
Keys Being Pressed Right Now
Press any key on your keyboard to see it appear here...
Recent Key Presses
The last 25 keys you pressed, most recent first.
No keys pressed yet.
Arrow Keys
Numeric Keypad
If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, press each key to confirm it is working. The Num Lock key must be on for the number keys to register.
Keyboard Testing Tips
- • Test every key one by one, including the ones you rarely use.
- • Hold multiple keys at once to check combination shortcuts (like Ctrl + C).
- • Test both the left and right Shift, Ctrl, and Alt keys.
- • Test the numeric keypad separately, since those keys often fail first on older keyboards.
- • If a system shortcut is blocked by your browser (like F11 for fullscreen), the tester may not register it. Try the key in a text editor to confirm.
- • Spilled liquid, dust, and worn membrane domes are the most common causes of dead keys.
About This Keyboard Tester
This free online keyboard tester lets you verify that every key on your keyboard is functioning correctly. Each key lights up in real time as you press it, making it easy to identify faulty or unresponsive keys in seconds.
The tester works entirely in your browser using the modern KeyboardEvent API. That means there is nothing to download or install, no account to create, and no data is sent anywhere. Everything happens locally on your own computer.
Whether you are troubleshooting a laptop keyboard that has started acting up, checking a new mechanical keyboard before the return window closes, or just making sure every key still works on an older desktop, this tool is designed to give you a fast and clear answer.
A few things worth noting: function keys (F1 through F12) sometimes trigger browser or system shortcuts before the tester can catch them. If a function key does not light up on this page, try it in a plain text editor to confirm whether it is actually dead. Similarly, the Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause keys behave differently across operating systems and browsers, so their behavior may vary.
If you discover a dead key, the fix depends on the type of keyboard. On a desktop keyboard, a single dead key is usually a worn key switch or a broken solder joint. On a laptop, dead keys are often caused by ribbon cable damage or liquid ingress, and repair can be more involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a key not light up when I press it?
There are three common reasons. First, the key itself may be physically broken. Second, your browser may be intercepting the key for a shortcut (this happens with F11, F12, and some Windows key combinations). Third, some keys like Print Screen or Scroll Lock do not report their state to browsers on certain operating systems. Test the key in a text editor to confirm which of these it is.
Does this keyboard tester work on mobile phones and tablets?
Not reliably. Mobile devices use a virtual keyboard with a different key code system, and most touchscreens do not emit the same KeyboardEvent codes that a physical keyboard does. This tool is designed for desktops and laptops with real keyboards.
Is my keyboard data sent anywhere?
No. All key detection happens locally in your browser. The keys you press are not logged, stored, or sent to any server. This is one of the reasons we built the tool this way. Keyboard data should always stay on your own device.
Can I test key combinations like Ctrl + Alt + Delete?
You can test most combinations by holding two or more keys at once. For example, Ctrl + Shift + A will light up all three keys. However, system-reserved shortcuts like Ctrl + Alt + Delete are intercepted by the operating system before any browser can see them, so they will not register here.
What should I do if I find a dead key?
First, confirm the problem is the key itself and not the software. Try the same key on a different computer. If it still does not work, the issue is hardware. For desktop keyboards with removable switches, you can often replace the switch. For membrane keyboards and laptop keyboards, repair is usually more difficult and professional service may be needed.
Related Typing Tools
Once your keyboard is confirmed working, here are other free tools on Typing Com that will help you get the most out of it:
Typing Speed Test
Now that you know your keyboard works, test how fast you can type on it.
WPM Calculator
Manually calculate your words per minute from any text you have typed.
Data Entry Typing Test
Practice realistic office typing, including names, addresses, order IDs, and totals.
Number Typing Test
Focus on the number row and numeric keypad, which are essential for accounting work.
Typing Lessons
Learn proper finger placement and build real speed with guided lessons.
Typing Games
Practice under pressure with interactive typing games and challenges.
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