Keyboard Test
Free, online detection of key response, key conflicts and latency — a full health check for your keyboard.
Some OS key combos are captured by the system — that is expected, not a bug.
Keyboard tests
Why choose My PC Tester?
Realistic key layout
A 1:1 on-screen layout that mirrors your physical keyboard — keys light up and respond just like the real thing, so you can spot a problem key at a glance.
Millisecond precision
High-resolution timers capture every single press and support high-polling-rate devices, so esports players can chase down millisecond-level input lag.
Complete test coverage
Covers rollover (NKRO), input latency, report rate and chatter, on everything from 60% compact boards to full-size keyboards.
Test instantly, online
No client to download or install — tests run through your browser’s native interfaces. Open the page, test, and leave without adding any burden to your PC.
How to start testing
- 01 · Key function test
First click the virtual keyboard to grab focus, then press every physical key one by one and watch whether the matching on-screen key lights up — quickly pointing you to keys that are dead, sticking or making poor contact.
- 02 · Rollover check
Press several common combos at once (e.g. WASD + Space). If some keys fail to light up, your keyboard has an inherent key conflict (ghosting) and cannot register true simultaneous multi-key input.
- 03 · Performance test
Use the chatter test to check switches for double-firing, sticking or slow rebound, and the latency test to quantify the time from key press to signal output. Together these reveal your keyboard’s real performance and give solid data for tuning your game settings.
Keyboard terms explained
- NKRO (N-Key Rollover)
- No matter how many keys you press at once, the keyboard registers every single one without dropping any. Essential when you need many simultaneous keys (rhythm games, two-players-one-keyboard) and standard on premium mechanical boards.
- Polling rate
- How many times per second the keyboard reports to your PC. 1000 Hz means 1000 reports a second — only about 1 ms of theoretical latency. The higher the rate, the more responsive and smoother input feels in games.
- Switch
- The core component that defines key feel. Red switches are linear (straight down), blue ones have a crisp tactile bump and audible click, and browns give a light bump with no click. Optical and Hall-effect switches trigger faster and let you adjust the travel.
- Debounce
- Metal contacts physically bounce when a key closes, so the keyboard waits for the signal to settle before registering it. A shorter debounce means snappier input — but set it too short and a single press can register twice (chatter).
- Ghosting
- Membrane keyboards are limited by their circuitry: press several keys and some vanish, or phantom keys fire instead. The fix is choosing a keyboard with full rollover (NKRO).
- Hot-swap
- Switches can be pulled out and replaced without soldering. If a key starts feeling off or dies, just buy a new switch and plug it in — no need to replace the whole board.
Troubleshooting
Keyboard not responding
Symptom: no key responds when you press it.
How to fix it:
- Check that the cable is fully plugged in and that the wireless/Bluetooth receiver is connected properly.
- Make sure the keyboard has power — enough battery charge and within range.
- Try a different USB port or re-pair the device; wired power tends to be more stable.
Chatter (double typing)
Symptom: you press “B” once but “BBBBBB” appears.
How to fix it:
- Use the chatter test here to confirm which key is at fault.
- Blow into the switch gap, or add a few drops of high-purity alcohol and press repeatedly to clean it.
- Increase the debounce time in the keyboard driver.
- If it’s a hot-swap board, simply replace the switch.
Ghosting (key conflict)
Symptom: diagonal run-and-jump (W+A+Space) does nothing in game.
How to fix it:
- Use the rollover test to measure how many keys light up at once.
- Make sure NKRO mode is on — some keyboards need a shortcut to enable it.
- Membrane boards are limited by hardware; if it bothers you, upgrade to an NKRO mechanical keyboard.
Stuck key
Symptom: after you physically release a key, the same character keeps printing.
How to fix it:
- First check whether crumbs, liquid or debris under the keycap is jamming the key from springing back.
- Test on another computer to see if the problem disappears, ruling out a software or settings issue.
- Drip a little precision electronics cleaner (e.g. WD-40 Specialist Electrical Contact Cleaner) and press rapidly a few times to clear contact oxidation.
Keyboard care
Use a dust cover
When not in use, put on a dust cover to keep out dust, spills and debris from falling between the keycaps, keeping your keyboard clean and extending its life.
Clean your keyboard
Pull the keycaps with a wire puller and clear the plate with a brush and compressed air to keep the feel fresh.
Water & spill resistance
Most mechanical boards are not waterproof. A spill can short the PCB or gum up the switches — keep liquids away, or pick a spill-resistant model.
Use it properly
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and treat your keyboard with care — don’t take out a bad mood on your keyboard.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mechanical keyboard — and why choose one over membrane?
Every key has its own physical switch. Compared with membrane keyboards, you get clearer tactile feedback, a longer lifespan, full-key rollover, and a feel you can personalize by switch type.
Why does my test show latency?
Browser-level tests include OS scheduling and the browser render loop. A reading of 10–30 ms is normal system latency; above 50 ms it may start to affect gaming.
What do 60%, TKL and 100% mean?
Keyboard sizes. 100% is the standard 104-key layout; TKL (tenkeyless) drops the numpad for 87 keys; 60% also drops the F-row and arrows — a compact layout that frees up mouse space.
Do wireless keyboards lag in games?
Modern high-end 2.4 GHz tech (Logitech Lightspeed, Razer Hyperspeed) is on par with wired — around 1 ms. Bluetooth usually adds more delay and is not recommended for competitive play.
Why do some keys not light up?
The page needs keyboard focus — click once inside the tester first. Some OS-level combos (Cmd, Alt+Tab) are captured by the system and cannot be measured in a browser; that is normal, not a fault.