The Hotkey Function Does Not Work

If the hotkey function isn't working when connecting your keyboard and mouse to the TESmart KVM switch, try these troubleshooting steps. If the issue persists, contact TESmart customer service through the chat window or feedback submission for further assistance. Our professional team is ready to help.

Applicable product models: Dual/Triple Monitor KVM Switch

HKS0402A1U/HDK0402A1U/HKV0402A1U/HKS0802A1UPKS0802A10/HKS0403A1U/etc.

If the hotkeys are not functioning after connecting the keyboard and mouse to the KVM switch, please follow these troubleshooting steps:

① For KVM switches with mode indicators, check if the "Mode Indicator" on the front panel is illuminated. If it is lit, the keyboard and mouse pass-through mode is enabled. If the light is not on, you can try to use the following key combination to enable keyboard-mouse passthrough mode: [Scroll Lock] --> [Scroll Lock] --> F2 or [Right-Ctrl] --> [Right-Ctrl] - -> F2.

② For KVM switches without mode indicators, you can try the following hotkey combination: [Scroll Lock] --> [Scroll Lock] --> F3 or [Right Ctrl] --> [Right Ctrl] --> F3. If you hear two beeps from the buzzer, it indicates that the pass-through mode is enabled. If you hear one beep, it means the pass-through mode is disabled.

③ If your KVM switch doesn't beep after using hotkeys, and there is no mode indicator light on the front panel, there's no need to worry. This indicates that you may have the latest version of the KVM switch, where the keyboard and mouse pass-through mode is enabled by default, and the buzzer is set to off. In this case, the hotkey detection method does not apply, as the new version of the KVM does not have hotkey commands to check whether keyboard and mouse pass-through is enabled or disabled. Even if the buzzer is manually turned on, pressing [Scroll Lock] --> [Scroll Lock] --> F3 won't produce any sound. By default, the keyboard and mouse pass-through mode on the KVM switch is always enabled.

Try exiting the keyboard or mouse driver software.

For professional brands such as Logitech, Razer, and others that have driver software installed for their keyboards and mice, please ensure you save your settings and exit the keyboard and mouse driver software before proceeding.

Ensure that you are connected to a USB2.0 or USB3.0 port.

Confirm that your keyboard is connected to the dedicated ports for the keyboard and mouse on the KVM switch. The KVM switch is designed to support the hotkey function only on these dedicated ports. If your keyboard is connected to a USB 2.0/3.0 port on the KVM switch, the hotkey function will not work.

If your keyboard is connected to the correct port, please proceed to the next step.

For professional brands such as Logitech, Razer, and others that have driver software installed for their keyboards and mice, please ensure you save your settings and exit the keyboard and mouse driver software before proceeding.

① Verify if the hotkey trigger key has been changed. The KVM switch is configured with two hotkey trigger keys: Scroll Lock and Right-Ctrl. You can choose the one that suits your preference. Try using [Right-Ctrl] -> [Right-Ctrl] -> 1/2/3/4 to switch the input source. If it works, you can keep Right-Ctrl as the hotkey trigger or use [Right-Ctrl] -> [Right-Ctrl] -> F1 to switch it back to Scroll Lock.        

Please note that the following models do not support changing the hotkey: HKS0801A1U, HKS0801A30, HKS1601A1U, HKS1601A10. 
                         

② If the above method doesn't resolve the issue, check if your keyboard has an Fn button. If it does, try using [Fn] -> [Scroll Lock] -> [Scroll Lock] -> 1/2/3/4 to switch the input source.

③ Consider turning off the control software that comes with your keyboard and mouse. Some keyboards and mice have special software for customization and setup, but this software can sometimes create compatibility conflicts with KVM switches. After saving any necessary settings, try closing the control software to see if the problem is resolved.

Our KVM is compatible with most keyboards. Considering our KVM's keyboard and mouse dedicated ports are equipped with special hotkey chips, there are some typical reasons that may cause compatibility issues:

① Some keyboard models use proprietary protocols that are temporarily incompatible with the dedicated ports on our KVM.

② Certain keyboard models, when plugged into the dedicated ports on the KVM, consume excessive bandwidth, leading to compatibility issues such as keyboard lag or key sticking.

③ To address these compatibility issues, we recommend customers connect keyboards that encounter problems when plugged into the keyboard and mouse dedicated ports on the KVM to the USB 2.0/USB 3.0 ports on the KVM. The USB 2.0/USB 3.0 ports do not have the built-in special chips found in the dedicated keyboard and mouse ports. Plugging your keyboard into the USB 2.0/USB 3.0 ports effectively treats it as if it were directly connected to the computer.

④ Due to the wide variety of keyboard models available in the market, our R&D department cannot conduct compatibility tests on every keyboard. Below are some keyboard models that have been reported as incompatible by customers: Dell KB813 (and similar keyboards with a card slot), Logitech MX series (some of which cannot manually switch between Windows and macOS modes), Roccat, and certain Microsoft keyboard models.

You can also refer to keyboard and mouse models that have been tested and approved by our R&D department:

If all of the steps above cannot help you locate and resolve the problem, please contact TESmart Customer Support for further assistance. Briefly mention the steps that you’ve already tried for a faster solution.