Why is the polling rate I measured different from the official spec? How should I properly test it?

There are several reasons why the measured polling rate may not match the advertised value. We recommend using a reliable tool like Keyboard-Inspector for testing. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:

Keyboard-Inspector measures the polling rate by listening to USB HID input events at the OS level. It records the time intervals between each report sent from the keyboard. If your system or drivers limit the report rate, the tool will reflect a lower polling rate—even if your keyboard hardware supports higher rates.

Common Factors That Can Affect Your Test Results:

1. Power Plan Settings (Windows):
   Some users report that using the “Balanced” power plan can restrict the polling rate. Switching to “Ultimate Performance” mode in Windows can significantly improve results.

2. Safe Mode vs. Normal Mode:
   In some cases, high polling rates like 8000Hz with high scan rates are only measurable in Safe Mode, indicating that the keyboard hardware supports it, but something in the normal operating environment (e.g., drivers, software, background tasks) interferes. L

3. Driver or Firmware Configuration:
   Some keyboards require enabling high polling rates via Driver settings. Please ensure your keyboard is in the correct mode.

Tips for Accurate Polling Rate Testing:

• Close background apps and disable antivirus temporarily.

• Connect the keyboard directly to a USB port (avoid hubs).

• Use Windows “Ultimate Performance” power plan.

• Try testing in Safe Mode to isolate software interference.