Sony / VAIO laptop keyboard test – press the keys to check every key

Sony / VAIO laptop keyboard problems – how to use this test

This page is designed for owners of Sony and VAIO laptops – including VAIO S, Z, E, F,
Pro, Duo, Fit and older Sony VAIO series – who want to check whether their built-in
keyboard is still working correctly. Press every key on your Sony / VAIO keyboard and
watch if the corresponding key on the layout above lights up.

1. Some keys on your Sony / VAIO keyboard are not responding

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

• A worn-out switch under the key after years of daily use.
• Dust or small particles trapped under the keycap, especially on older VAIO models.
• A key that has been knocked or damaged during transport or cleaning.

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

2. An entire row or block of keys does not work

When a full row (for example Q–P) or a block of keys (such as the number pad or arrow
keys) fails in this test, this often indicates:

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

In most cases, driver updates or Windows settings will not fix this. The complete
keyboard unit has to be replaced to restore full function.

3. Wrong characters or “ghost typing” on Sony / VAIO laptops

If you press one key and a different character appears on the screen, or your Sony / VAIO
laptop starts typing by itself, the keyboard circuitry is probably damaged – very often
after a liquid spill or long-term wear. This behaviour is almost always a hardware fault
rather than a software problem.

4. Keys that repeat by themselves

When a key repeats several times even though you only press it once (for example “aaaa”
instead of “a”), the switch under that key is often worn or dirty. You can try:

• Adjusting key repeat settings in Windows.
• Cleaning carefully under and around the keycap.

If the key still double-types in this online test, it confirms that the problem is inside
the keyboard hardware and the safest fix is to replace the keyboard.

5. Backlit Sony / VAIO keyboard problems

Many newer VAIO laptops and some Sony models come with backlit keyboards. This tool only
checks whether the keys register – it does not test the backlight itself. If the keys work
but the backlight doesn’t, the LED backlight circuit, cable or settings may be faulty.
A replacement backlit Sony / VAIO keyboard is often the cleanest solution.

6. After liquid damage on Sony / VAIO laptops

Spilled water, coffee, tea or soft drinks are a very common cause of keyboard failure.
Symptoms can appear immediately or weeks later, including:

• Sticky keys or keys that feel heavy.
• Random characters appearing while you type.
• Whole rows or groups of keys that stop responding.

If your Sony / VAIO keyboard shows these symptoms and several keys fail in this test,
replacing the complete keyboard assembly is strongly recommended to avoid further issues.

Need a replacement Sony / VAIO laptop keyboard?

If this Sony / VAIO keyboard test shows that your keys are faulty, you can

order a compatible replacement laptop keyboard here
.
We offer replacement keyboards for many Sony and VAIO models, including VAIO S, Z, E, F,
Pro, Duo, Fit and other popular series.