Is a key on your keyboard sticking, repeating or not registering at all? PassMark’s KeyboardTest shows a keyboard on screen that lights up as you press each key, and also displays key codes and can check keyboard LEDs, giving you several ways to verify whether input is being registered.
How can you tell whether a key press registers?
Press keys on the keyboard and watch their corresponding positions on the displayed layout. KeyboardTest marks key-down and key-up events with different colors, so you can see whether both parts of a keystroke are detected. The on-screen response can reveal missed or repeated input while you test.
For more detail, the program displays BIOS keyboard codes and Windows scan codes. It can also measure key repeat and depress times, along with the delay between presses. BIOS scan-code testing provides a language-independent way to check key input.
Can it test LEDs or unusual keyboard layouts?
KeyboardTest checks the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators. Layout files let you match the displayed key map to a specialized keyboard; the program supports up to 100 custom layouts. Compound-key definitions cover a single physical key that sends multiple key presses.
- Keyboard layout files use the .kbl format.
- The program supports PS/2, wireless, and USB keyboards.
What does batch mode record?
For repeated or production-line checks, start the program with the /b command-line parameter. Batch mode can log keyboard serial numbers, operator IDs, and pass-or-fail results. It also includes options for checking row and column shorts and for setting the number of keystrokes required to flag under- or over-responsive keys.
Pros
- Shows key-down and key-up events in different colors
- Displays BIOS and Windows scan codes
- Tests Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock LEDs
- Supports custom keyboard layouts and compound keys
Does KeyboardTest show the key codes generated by a press?
Yes. It can display both BIOS keyboard codes and Windows scan codes.
Can I test the keyboard lock lights?
Yes. KeyboardTest can check the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock LEDs.
Can I use a layout for a specialized keyboard?
Yes. You can create custom keyboard layouts, with support for up to 100.