Use this free Mac keyboard test to check if the keys on your MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or Apple Magic Keyboard are working. Simply press any key and see if it responds on the virtual keyboard. You can test individual keys, modifier keys and key combinations directly in your browser. Some special keys, including Fn/Globe and Touch ID, cannot be detected directly by a browser.
How to test your Mac keyboard
- Choose your keyboard layout (built-in MacBook or Magic Keyboard, with or without a numeric keypad), then select ANSI, ISO or JIS to match your keyboard.
- Press each key individually. Keys that light up are being detected by the browser. If a key doesn't respond, try it again before assuming it's faulty.
- Test the function row by pressing F1 to F12. Depending on your Mac's settings, you may need to hold Fn or Globe.
- Try combinations such as Command + Shift + a letter. Some system shortcuts may be intercepted by macOS or the browser.
Testing the function row
On many Macs, the top row controls brightness, volume, media playback and other system features by default. To test F1 to F12, you may need to hold Fn or Globe while pressing each key. You can also change the function key behavior in System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Function Keys, although the available options vary by macOS version and keyboard model. Some special keys are handled directly by macOS and may not register in a browser test, even when they work normally.
Mac keys that behave differently
- Command, Option and Control are modifier keys used for shortcuts on macOS. Command performs many functions associated with Ctrl on Windows, while Option is similar to Alt. The tester can distinguish left and right modifier keys when the browser reports them separately.
- Fn / Globe is often handled by firmware or macOS and may not light up on its own. Test it by holding it with an F-key.
- Touch ID is a sensor button, not a normal keypress, so it cannot be tested here. The Touch Bar on 2016 to 2020 MacBook Pros is not a physical key row and cannot be tested either.
- Caps Lock can report its press and release differently from other keys.
- Keys released while Command is held may not report their release on macOS, so a letter can look stuck. Press it again before assuming a fault.
Common Mac keyboard problems
- Some keys do nothing: restart the Mac, check Slow Keys and Sticky Keys in Accessibility settings, and for a wireless keyboard turn Bluetooth off and on, re-pair it and check the battery.
- Double or repeated letters: if one key does it, suspect dirt or wear. If many do, check key repeat settings in Keyboard settings.
- Wrong characters: check the input source and the keyboard type in System Settings → Keyboard, especially after connecting a new external keyboard.
- Sticky keys after a spill: shut the Mac down and unplug accessories. Sugary drinks can need professional cleaning.
- Older MacBooks: Some models from 2015 to 2019 used butterfly keyboards prone to sticking or repeated keystrokes.
Short bursts of compressed air at an angle can clear light dust. Apple publishes cleaning guidance for its models.
Frequently asked questions
Does this work on Safari?
Yes. It works in Safari, Chrome and Firefox on macOS.
Why doesn’t the Fn or Globe key light up?
It is usually handled below the browser level. Hold it with an F-key to see what arrives.
Is Command the same as the Windows key?
It plays a similar role, and it is the main shortcut key on a Mac.
Does the tester store my keystrokes?
No. Key events are processed in your browser and are not sent to a server.