How to Replace Keycaps and Switches on a Mechanical Keyboard
Introduction
For direct changes to how your mechanical keyboard looks and feels, change the keycaps and switches. The steps aren't as hard as they might look. Anyone can easily improve their keyboard if they have the right tools and a clear set of steps. This guide gives you clear steps and helpful hints to help you, from taking it apart to putting it back together again.
1. The Tools You'll Need
Before you start, gathering the proper tools will make the job much smoother and prevent any accidental damage to your keyboard or its new parts.
- Keycap Puller: Comes in wire and ring styles. The wire-style puller is highly recommended as it applies even pressure and is less likely to scratch the sides of your keycaps.
- Switch Puller: This is essential for removing switches. It’s designed to grip the switch securely. Do not try to use pliers or other tools, as you risk damaging the switch or the PCB socket.
- Your New Keycaps and/or Switches: Make sure they are compatible with your keyboard's layout and PCB.Selecting replacements often involves considering feel and durability, where understanding different keycap materials becomes quite helpful.
- A small brush or air blower (optional): Useful for cleaning the dust and debris from the exposed plate after removing the keycaps.
- A small tray (optional): To hold screws or small parts so nothing gets lost.
2. Swap Keycaps
The easiest thing to change when performing a keyboard mod is to replace the keycaps. Place the sides of your keycap puller underneath. Then, pull a keycap upwards straight with firm, consistent pressure. It should be easy enough for the keycap to come loose off the switch stem. The Spacebar, Shift, and Enter keys are larger keys that have stabilizers under them that can crack, so exercise caution when pressing them.
It's even easier to replace new keycaps. To do this, just line up the switch stem with the cross-shaped gap at the bottom of the keycap. Next, press down your finger firmly until you hear or feel it click into place.
3. The Crucial Check Before Replacing Switches
You need to understand what sort of keyboard you are dealing with before you even think about taking out a switch. This will decide how hard the whole thing is.
The boards (PCB) of these keyboards have sockets where you can easily take out switches and replace them with new ones. No soldering is involved. This is how most custom keyboards are made today, and it makes switching keys a breeze. Hot-swappable boards are what this tutorial is about.
These boards have their buttons soldered onto the PCB. To replace them, you have to use a soldering iron and a solder sucker to desolder the old switches and then solder the new ones on. To perform this without damaging the circuit board, you must understand how it is done and possess the necessary tools.
How to Replace Switches on a Hot-Swap Keyboard
Once you have confirmed that your keyboard is hot-swappable, you can continue.
First, remove all of the keycaps with your keycap puller. Next, with your switch puller, put its prongs to latch onto the small plastic tabs that are on the top and bottom of the switch. Squeeze the puller to hold these tabs firmly, and then pull straight up. You may have to wiggle it somewhat, but the idea is to pull straight up to avoid breaking the hot-swap socket on the PCB.
When putting a new switch in, the most critical thing is to examine the metal pins at the bottom. There are two little copper pins that must be perfectly straight. If they are bent, make them straight using your fingers or tweezers slowly. Have these pins aligned slowly with the two little holes of the PCB socket and push the switch down straightly until it fits tightly into the plate.
Once you've installed all switches, plug the keyboard into an outlet and try out all keys on a text editor or online keyboard tester. After you are sure all switches work, you can proceed to install your keycaps.
Common Issues and Quick Tips
- Bent Pins: This is the most common problem during installation. If a switch won't go in easily, don't force it. Pull it out and check the pins. A slightly bent pin can almost always be gently straightened.
- Compatibility: Most switches (from brands like Cherry, Gateron, Kailh) use the MX-style design and are compatible. The main difference to watch for is 3-pin vs. 5-pin switches. A 5-pin switch has two extra plastic legs for stability. If your keyboard PCB only supports 3-pin, you can simply clip off the two extra plastic legs with a small flush cutter.
- Work Clean: Clean your keyboard on a clear, flat surface to keep track of all your parts and prevent anything from getting lost.
Conclusion
By changing your keycaps and switches, you’re doing more than just giving your keyboard a new look; you’re tailoring a tool to your exact preferences. It’s a rewarding and accessible process that deepens your understanding of the hardware you use every day. With a little patience and attention to detail, you can easily build a keyboard that is truly and uniquely yours.
