Is your keyboard lagging as you type, and it’s getting on your nerves? Or do you have to remind it to hold its horses every now and then? This is a simple complication that I face at times. I mean, even as I sat writing this article, I had to “Backspace” so many extra As and OS! This happens due to your keyboard’s repeat rate. Repeat rate is that feature of your keyboard that determines how long a key needs to be pressed for the item to repeat.
Furthermore, it also determines for how long it needs to be held to go on repeating itself. This function is especially useful when it comes to making lines using dashes _______(like so). So you know this feature is necessary for your teachers to make those tricky multiple-choice questions or fill-in-the-blanks. But not just that, it determines how fast or slow you can type with your keyboard.
How to Increase Or Decrease Keyboard Speed
For Windows 7, 8, and 10
Although necessary, this can be a bit cumbersome if the keyboard speed isn’t according to your use especially if you were looking for a keyboard for long nails. But don’t worry, as I’ll show you in a step-by-step manner how you can customize it to your use. Simply follow the steps mentioned below, and you should be good to go!
Step 1
The first and foremost thing is to turn on your PC. I’m pretty sure you’ve got that down because you’re reading this article (unless you’re on your phone). After that, you need to go to the “Search Bar” of your PC and type in “Control Panel.”
Step 2
After following the above step, the control panel window should’ve popped up. Now you can do one of the following. Either manually search for the keyboard icon or type “Keyboard” in the search bar of the control panel. If you decide to go for the former, I suggest that you set your “View by” to “Large Icons.”
Step 3
Once you’ve found the “Keyboard Icon,” click it. This should open a new window named “Keyboard Properties.” This is where you can adjust your PC’s Keyboard properties to fit your use best.
Step 4
In the “Keyboard Properties” window, you will notice that there are two drag bars present. One is for “Repeat Delay,” while the other is for “Repeat Rate.” Now that you have found them, you can adjust them to your liking.
Step 5
After adjusting, you must be confused as to how you can test if the changes have been made. Don’t worry! You don’t have to go and type something in Word or Doc to check for this. You can check the Repeat Delay and Repeat Delay in the bar labeled “Click here and hold down a key to test repeat rate.” This is exceptionally convenient as you can make adjustments instantly if the rate isn’t your cup of tea.
After you’ve made changes following the steps above, click on “Apply.” Just like that, you are set for a new typing experience on your keyboard. Another thing you can alter is the “cursor blink rate.” that is, if you don’t like how your cursor blinks.
For MacBook Users
The above method works splendidly for Windows. Cool cool! But what can you do about it when you use a MacBook? You can do nothing about that. That’s why this method is for all Mac users. If your MacBook types too fast or slow, follow the steps mentioned below.
Step 1
In the case of Windows, you had to pop open the search bar and go to the Control Panel. Apple made it easier for you. Simply click the “System Preferences” and search for the “Keyboard” icon.
Step 2
After clicking the “Keyboard” icon, a window should pop up named “Keyboard.” Well, you have to love the simplicity of Apple. In this window, you’ll see two drag bars named “Key Repeat” and “Delay Until Repeat,” respectively. One thing that is special to Mac is that you can even turn OFF the Key Repeat. Now all you have to do is adjust it to your liking.
Step 3
After making the adjustments, close the “Keyboard” window to save the changes. One thing you won’t be able to do is to check the Repeat Rate and Repeat Delay. Windows offers you a bar to type in letters to check the adjustments and re-adjust if necessary. Mac doesn’t give you that feature. So, you might have to repeat these steps if you want to re-adjust the Key Rate and Delay Until Repeat.
FAQs
What is the repeat rate in keyboard settings?
Repeat rate has been mentioned extensively throughout this article regarding your keyboard’s speed. To put it simply, repeat rate is the amount of time a key takes to appear when you press it down. It can be changed to fit your needs by adjusting your keyboard properties.
How can I improve my keyboard performance?
A simple trick to improve your keyboard’s performance is by adjusting the keyboard’s properties. Go to the keyboard properties and adjust the Repeat Delay and Repeat Rate. Don’t forget to press “Apply” in the case of Windows. If you don’t, then the changes won’t occur. Once the changes are made, you should be good to go.
Related Keyboard Guides: How to connect wireless keyboard | How to clean laptop keyboard after spill
Wrapping Up
Everything is slowly and gradually becoming dependent on technology. In these times, if your keyboard doesn’t perform properly, it can be a nuisance! The easiest way to get your keyboard’s performance up to par is to adjust its Repeat rate. This is a relatively simple method and can be done within minutes. All you have to do is find “Keyboard Properties” and adjust the drag bars according to your liking.
If the problem persists, then it might be an issue with the hardware or the drive. You can fix the problem with the drive by installing a new and updated one. But, the problem with the hardware might need professional help. This is so the experts can replace the faulty keys with new and improved ones so you can type in the speed you want.