In this post, we explain what Keyboard Repeat Rate and Repeat Delay are in Windows 11/10. We will also explain how to change or set the Keyboard Repeat Rate and Repeat Delay using Keyboard Properties or Registry Editor.
What is the difference between Key Repeat rate and Repeat delay?
When configuring Keyboard Properties, you will find two settings— Repeat Delay and Repeat Rate. Both of these settings, although related to pressing the keys, work differently. They are also useful in various scenarios, and we will explain this further. When configuring, ensure that you test it properly using the text box.
Keyboard Repeat delay is the time difference between when you hold a key down and before it starts repeating. If you need to use the same alphabet, number, or any character, you hold and wait for the same key to appear again and again, but rather quickly.
Let’s say you need to put 50 zeros. Pressing 50 times can be tedious. Instead, press and hold the zero key, and it will type it automatically.
Keyboard Repeat Rate describes how quickly a letter repeats itself once it starts. So if you want to input tons of the same character in less time, you need a faster repeat rate. Consider a scenario where you need to input a large number of characters, but you want it to be slow to control how many appear on the screen, then you lower the rate.
Both the Repeat Delay and Repeat Delay go hand in hand. If you want more characters but control it, you configure both accordingly.
That cleared, the keyboard repeat rate and delay are not just for entering characters. It is primarily used where the keyboard is very sensitive, and you need to ensure that pressing a character doesn’t result in it being repeated, causing four sets of the same character. You can configure the repeat delay in this case to fix the problem.
Windows 11/10 allows you to set the Keyboard Repeat Rate and Repeat Delay. Let us see how to do it.
Change Keyboard Repeat Rate & Repeat Delay in Windows 11/10
There are two major methods to set the Keyboard Repeat Rate and Repeat Delay on Windows 11/10. They are as follows:
- Using the Keyboard Properties.
- Using the Registry Editor.
1] Using the Keyboard Properties
Open the Keyboard Properties by typing in control keyboard in the Run box (Win+R) and hit Enter.
You can now use the slider to make the respective options of Repeat Delay and Repeat rate longer or shorter as per your preferences.
There is also a text field in the mini window to test out your preferences.
Select Apply and then select OK to save the changes.
2] Using the Registry Editor
Open the Windows Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\Keyboard Response
You can now set your own values for AutoRepeatDelay and AutoRepeatRate to set the Keyboard Repeat Rate and Repeat Delay on Windows 11/10.
Due to obvious reasons, you cannot test your configurations when using this method.
To test these, you will need to reboot your computer. After rebooting your computer, the changes that you have made will take effect.
I hope this guide helped you to set the Keyboard Repeat Rate and Repeat Delay on Windows 11/10.
Repeat rate and Repeat delay keep changing?
If you are facing an issue where the Repeat rate and Repeat delay keep changing, you can also configure them through registry settings. You will need admin permission to resolve this.
Open Registry Editor by typing in Regedit in the Run Prompt (Win+R), followed by pressing the Enter key. Then navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\Keyboard Response
Change the following configuration to a value that works for you:
AutoRepeatDelay=200AutoRepeatRate=6DelayBeforeAcceptance=0Flags=59BounceTime=0
If this doesn’t help, you may need to check the BIOS for a setting that honors the keyboard configuration set in Windows Keyboard settings. Some OEMs, such as Lenovo, have such a setting that may help you.
How do I delay Repeat Rate on my keyboard?
To delay the repeat rate on your keyboard, open the Control Panel and select “Keyboard.” Adjust the “Repeat Rate” slider towards “Long” to extend the delay. This setting helps control how quickly characters repeat when a key is held down.
Read: Change Keyboard Backlit Timeout settings for Keyboard.
How to change Keyboard Key Delay?
To change keyboard key delay, go to ‘Ease of Access’ settings and select ‘Keyboard’ on the left. Under ‘Filter Keys’, use the toggle to enable or disable the option that controls brief or repeated keystrokes and adjust keyboard repeat rates.
