GearCheckHow to test a Mac keyboard
- Press each key once. It lights up while held and stays green afterwards.
- Hold fn and press F1–F12 so they send function keys instead of brightness and volume.
- Test both Command and Option keys — left and right are detected separately.
- Look for keys that stay grey or are outlined in red (registered twice from one press).
MacBook keyboard problems
Butterfly keyboards (2015–2019 MacBook and MacBook Pro)
The thin “butterfly” keyboards in these models are known for keys that stick, repeat (typing “tthe”) or stop working, often because of a single crumb. The red chatter outline in this test catches repeated letters. Apple ran a keyboard service program for these models; check Apple's support site to see if yours is covered.
Keys repeating or not registering
- Hold the MacBook at a 75° angle and spray compressed air across the keyboard in a zigzag, then rotate and repeat.
- Check System Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard: Slow Keys and Sticky Keys change how keys respond.
- Under System Settings → Keyboard, adjust Key repeat rate and Delay until repeat if keys repeat too easily.
Bluetooth Magic Keyboard dropping keys
Charge it, turn it off and on, and keep it within a metre of the Mac. Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz band and USB 3 hubs can interfere with Bluetooth; connecting the keyboard with its cable rules out wireless issues.
Mac and Windows key names
| Mac | Windows | event.code |
|---|---|---|
| ⌘ Command | Windows key | MetaLeft / MetaRight |
| ⌥ Option | Alt | AltLeft / AltRight |
| ⌃ Control | Ctrl | ControlLeft |
| delete | Backspace | Backspace |
| return | Enter | Enter |
Using a Windows-layout keyboard on your Mac? The full-size keyboard test shows a standard PC layout with number pad. Also test your mouse or trackpad clicks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my MacBook keyboard?
Open this page and press every key. Each one lights up while held and stays green once it works. The layout matches a MacBook and Magic Keyboard, with Command, Option, Control and the arrow cluster in the right places.
Why doesn’t the fn (Globe) key light up?
The fn / Globe key is handled by macOS itself and is never sent to web pages, so no browser can detect it. Test it by holding fn and pressing F1–F12: if the function keys switch between media controls and F-keys, fn works.
Why do F1–F12 change brightness instead of lighting up?
By default, Mac function keys control brightness, volume and media. Hold fn while pressing them to send F1–F12, or change it in System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Function Keys.
Some Command shortcuts close my tab. Can I test Command?
Pressing Command on its own is safe, and most Command combinations are blocked while testing. macOS still reserves a few, like Command+Q, Command+W and Command+Tab, which no website can block — avoid those during the test.
Does it work with a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID or a numeric keypad?
Yes. The test shows the compact MacBook layout; number-pad keys on a full-size Magic Keyboard still register in the key log, and Touch ID is not a key that websites can see.