LaptopCheck
Stage 3 of 7 · 🟠 Important

Keyboard, trackpad, ports & A/V

All the bits you'll touch every day. A single dead key, a flaky USB port, or a crackly speaker is easy to miss in a showroom test — but quick to catch with the right web tool.

⏱️ Whole stage ≈ 12 min (first time)

🛠️ Technical checks

  • Online keyboard tester ~3 min
  • Webcam / mic test ~2 min

👁️ General checks

  • Trackpad tracking & clicks ~2 min
  • Plug into every port ~4 min
  • Speakers at high volume ~1.5 min
🌐

One site covers most of this: open keyboardtester.click or testmykey.com for the keyboard/trackpad, and retest.us for webcam, mic and speakers. No installs.

1

Test every single key Important

Dead, sticky, or "ghosting" keys

Open an online keyboard tester (or just Notepad) and press every key one by one, including the function row, arrows, and number pad if present. On the tester, each key lights up when it registers.

  • Dead keys: a key that never lights up / types nothing.
  • Sticky or repeating keys: a key that double-types or stays "pressed".
  • Backlight: if it's a backlit keyboard, cycle the levels (often Fn + Space or a dedicated key) and check for dead zones.
  • Feel: consistent travel and click across all keys; a mushy patch can mean liquid damage underneath.
⌨️

Quick offline version: open Notepad and type a pangram that hits many keys — "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog 1234567890" — then test the rest individually.

2

Trackpad & buttons Important

Tracking, clicks and gestures
  • Move the cursor to all four corners — tracking should be smooth with no jumps or dead spots.
  • Left & right click (physical and tap-to-click) should both work and feel even.
  • Two-finger scroll and pinch-zoom (in a browser or Photos) should respond.
  • Check Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad to confirm it's recognised as a precision touchpad and gestures are enabled.
3

All ports & slots Important

USB, USB-C, HDMI, audio, card reader

Bring a few things to plug in: a USB stick (you've got one with the tools anyway), USB-C cable/charger, wired earphones, and an HDMI cable if you can.

  • Every USB-A and USB-C port: plug the stick into each one — it should mount in File Explorer. Test USB-C for both data and charging.
  • HDMI / DisplayPort: connect to a TV/monitor if available; the second display should appear (Win + P).
  • 3.5 mm audio jack: plug in earphones — sound should switch to them, clean in both channels.
  • SD/microSD reader: insert a card if the laptop has a slot.
  • Charging port: confirm it charges firmly without wiggling (a loose DC jack is a common, fiddly fault).
⚠️

Cross-check in Device Manager (next stages) — a port that's physically fine but shows errors there can mean a controller fault.

4

Webcam, microphone & speakers Important

Built-in apps or one website

Use the built-in Windows apps (no internet needed) or retest.us:

  • Webcam: open the Camera app (Start → type "Camera"). Check for a clear picture, correct colour, and that the privacy shutter (if any) works.
  • Microphone: open Voice Recorder / Sound Recorder, record a few seconds, and play it back — clear, no excessive hiss.
  • Speakers: play a music clip or this quick check: Settings → System → Sound → Output → Test. Listen at low and high volume for buzzing, crackle, or a dead channel.
  • Both channels: pan a stereo track left/right (or use an online stereo test) to confirm both speakers work.
🔊

Play audio at near-max volume for a few seconds — blown speakers reveal themselves with distortion or rattling that's silent at low volume.