HP laptop keyboard test – press the keys to check every key

HP laptop keyboard problems – how to use this test

This page is designed for owners of HP laptops – including HP Pavilion, HP Envy, HP Omen,
HP ProBook and HP EliteBook models – who want to check whether their built-in keyboard
is still working correctly. Press every key on your HP keyboard and watch if the
corresponding key on the layout above lights up.

1. Some keys on your HP laptop keyboard are not responding

If only one or two keys on your HP keyboard do not light up in this test, the most common
causes are:

• A worn-out switch under the key after years of daily typing.
• Dust or crumbs stuck under the keycap, especially on older Pavilion and Envy models.
• A key that has been hit too hard or damaged when cleaning.

Try gently cleaning around the key and repeat the test. If the key still does not register,
the internal HP keyboard assembly is likely defective and should be replaced.

2. A whole row or block of keys does not work on your HP keyboard

When an entire row (for example Q–P) or a block of keys fails the test, this often indicates:

• A partially disconnected keyboard ribbon cable inside the laptop.
• Damage to the keyboard matrix on the HP keyboard PCB.

Software fixes usually cannot repair this type of damage. In many HP models, the keyboard
is a single replaceable part that can be swapped without replacing the whole laptop.

3. Wrong characters or “ghost typing” on HP laptops

If you press one key and another letter appears on the screen, or your HP laptop starts
typing by itself, the internal circuits of the keyboard may be damaged. This is very common
after a liquid spill or heavy impact and usually means the keyboard needs to be replaced.

4. Keys that repeat by themselves

A key that prints the same character several times, even though you only press it once,
is a typical symptom of a worn HP keyboard switch. You can try adjusting the key repeat
settings in Windows, but if the issue shows up in this online test as well, it is almost
certainly a hardware problem.

5. HP backlit keyboard issues

Many newer HP laptops (for example HP Envy and HP Omen series) come with backlit keyboards.
This tool only tests whether the keys register correctly – it does not test the backlight.
If the keys work but the backlight does not turn on, the LED backlight circuit or the
backlight cable may be faulty. In that case, replacing the keyboard with a new backlit
HP keyboard is usually the cleanest fix.

6. After liquid damage on HP keyboards

Coffee, tea or water spills are a very common reason for HP laptop keyboard failure.
The keyboard may work for a few days or weeks and then more and more keys start to fail.
If your HP keyboard shows several dead or unstable keys in this test after a spill,
it is strongly recommended to replace the entire keyboard to avoid further problems.

If this HP keyboard test shows that your keys are faulty, you can

order a compatible replacement laptop keyboard here
. We offer replacement keyboards for many HP models, including Pavilion, Envy,
Omen, ProBook and EliteBook series.