Keyboardtest Logo
⚠️

Stuck Key Test — Check Held Keys and Repeat

Watch keys whose presses reached this page and have no observed release. Let go to check for an unexpected hold; a missing release is evidence to investigate.

★ 4.9/5 RatingVerified Diagnostic Utility (2,847 Reviews)

Free to use · Browser based · How we test

Press a physical key to start — no click needed. Tab moves between controls, and browser shortcuts remain available.

Take your hands off the keyboard

Nothing is held. Press a key to confirm the test is reading your keyboard.

Currently held — should be empty when you let go

No key is currently tracked as held in this page.

Auto-repeat events — normal during an intentional hold

No repeat events recorded. Hold a key for a second to confirm detection is working.

Distinguish an unexpected hold from normal key repeat

A held-key list is built from keydown and keyup events received by this page. It is not a global view of every key the operating system considers pressed. Keys already held before the page became active may not appear until another event arrives.

Press and release a key while watching the list. Its code should appear on press and leave on release. A hold longer than three seconds is highlighted to draw attention, but a long intentional hold is normal and does not establish a stuck switch.

Automatic repeat starts after the delay set by your operating system. It produces repeated keydown events while you hold a key. A high repeat count alone is not a fault; the important comparison is whether repeating continues after you physically let go.

Switching windows or using an OS shortcut can hide the corresponding keyup from a browser. This test clears held state on focus loss to avoid carrying those stale holds forward. If a key appears held unexpectedly, refocus, press and release it, then compare in another application.

A physically stuck modifier can change how other keys behave, but Sticky Keys and remapping can also latch modifier behavior without a mechanical problem. Check those settings before concluding that a highlighted Ctrl, Alt or Shift needs repair.

Read how our browser tests work for event handling, measurement limits, and privacy details.

Key Capabilities & Features

Currently held

A press arrived without a matching observed release during the focused session.

Hold over three seconds

A prompt to check whether the hold was intentional; not a defect verdict.

Repeat events

Recent automatic-repeat events marked by the browser. Holding a key normally produces them.

No held keys observed

The current page state is clear. It cannot rule out events the page never received.

How to Perform This Test

  1. Focus: select the test area and keep this tab active.
  2. Press and release: test the suspect key once and watch it enter and leave the held list.
  3. Hands off: remove your hands and inspect any key still shown.
  4. Repeat check: hold a letter deliberately, then release it. Note whether repeat stops.
  5. Cross-check: reproduce unexpected behavior in another application and, if possible, on another computer.

Troubleshooting Common Hardware Issues

  • A key looks held after an OS shortcut: release all keys, refocus the page, and press/release the suspect key again.
  • Letters repeat only while you hold a key: adjust operating system repeat delay or rate if the behavior is inconvenient.
  • A modifier seems latched: inspect Sticky Keys and remapping settings, then compare an external keyboard.
  • A keycap physically fails to return: disconnect the keyboard before inspection and follow manufacturer cleaning or repair instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a three-second hold mean my key is stuck?
No. The highlight is a reminder to check whether you are still deliberately pressing it. The page cannot see your hands or diagnose the physical cause.
Why did the held list clear when I changed tabs?
The browser may miss release events while unfocused. Clearing state on focus loss prevents those missing releases from looking like continuing holds.
Why does a key I held before opening the page not appear?
The page cannot reconstruct events it never received. Press and release the key while the test is focused.

Further Reading

Start again with the full keyboard test, compare the keyboard event reference, or choose the next test in the diagnostic tools hub.

Related Tools