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What to Know
This article explains how to replace switches on amechanical keyboard.
How Do You Remove a Mechanical Keyboard Switch?
Unlike other keyboards, many mechanical keyboards use hot-swappable switches that are easy to pop out and replace.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
before you kick off replacing switches, trycleaning your keyboardor lubricating your switches to see if that helps.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
The switch may come out right along with the cap.
Position a switch pulling tool over the switch, and snap it into place.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
Gently pull straight up.
If the switch doesnt come out, wiggle it gently.
If the switch seems stuck, stop trying to remove it and verify that your keyboard is hot-swappable.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
The switches may besolderedin place.
Place the replacement switch over the replacement slot, being careful to align it correctly.
Push the switch into place.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
The switch should slide into place easily.
Push the keycap back onto the switch stem.
How Do You Replace a Button on a Mechanical Keyboard?
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
Mechanical keyboards have switches, not buttons.
The part that may look like a button is called a keycap, and theyre easy to replace.
Carefully slide the keycap puller over the cap.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
Metal pullers can scratch keycaps, so using a plastic puller is safer if youve never done this before.
When you hear the puller click over the edges of the keycap, pull up gently.
If the cap doesnt come off immediately, wiggle slightly from side to side, and gently pull up.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
If the switch comes out along with the keycap, push it back into place.
It’s normal, as hot-swappable switches are pulled the same way as keycaps.
Position the replacement keycap over the stem of the switch, and push it into place.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
Are All Keyboard Switches Hot Swappable?
There are two kinds of mechanical keyboard switches: hot-swappable and soldered.
The switches can then be pulled, replaced, and soldered to the circuit board.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
Dont attempt to replace soldered switches if you arent familiar with soldering and desoldering.
You may damage the switches or the circuit board.
Heat up the solder joints with a soldering iron or desoldering iron.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
Remove the solder with a solder sucker or desoldering iron.
Put the replacement switch in place.
Solder the new switch to the circuit board.
Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
FAQ
Key switches for mechanical keyboards are built to last for 10-15 years of regular use.
Tomake your mechanical keyboard quieter, put foam or a desk mat under it and lubricate the switches.
Replace your clicky switches with linear switches if possible.
For sticky keys, clean the keyboard with alcohol and compressed air.
If you’re still having problems, you might need to replace the key switch.
