How to Fix Common Mechanical Keyboard Problems

Mechanical keyboards are the pinnacle of keyboard enthusiasm. So many styles, so many layouts, and even designs to choose from. However, due to the nature of how these keyboards operate, some common issues can arise regardless of which brand or keyboard you use. Here is a list of common mechanical keyboard problems, and how to fix them!

These troubleshooting tips are pretty easy to follow, so even if your keyboard is having issues, you should be able to get it working again in no time! Additionally, most of these problems can be fixed by purchasing a hot-swappable keyboard, but it may be a good idea to try to find and fix the problem first.

How to Fix Common Mechanical Keyboard Problems

Problem #1: Stuck Key or Repeating Key

If one of the keys on your mechanical keyboard is registering multiple inputs for every key-press, this is quite an annoying and serious problem. An example of this is that pressing “r” inputs “rrrrrrrr” on your screen.

One easy solution for this is to adjust the “Repeating Key Rate” in your operating system. To do this, follow these directions blow.

On Windows OS (Depending on your version of Windows, this may differ)

• Open the Control Panel

• Then double-click the "Keyboard" icon.

• In the "Speed" tab, look for the “Repeat delay” setting.

• Try to lide the setting closer to “long” to avoid a repeated key at longer intervals.

 If repeated typing on your keyboard is not too bad, this should be the best solution.

On MacOS:

On MacOS, the same settings exist. use the finder to locate the settings under "Keyboard", or the general "Settings" menu.

Next, change the slider of "Delay Until Repeat" to be closer to the "Long" setting.

In Chrome OS:

Fortunately for Chrome OS users, the same setting exists as well.

To find this, go to "Settings", then click on "Device Settings", and then lastly click on "Keyboard Settings".

What to do if this doesn't work:

Another option is to blow out the switch with compressed air as dust may be causing interference with how the mechanical switch operates. This is quite a common technique within the keyboard enthusiast communities, and while it may not solve the problem forever, it can help. 

To do this, take a can of compressed air and hold your keyboard vertically. Next, blast the air into the switch by holding the plunger (the part of the mechanical switch that compresses when pushed) towards the side to create an opening for the air to go.

Do this a few times, and it may solve the issue. If it doesn’t, you may need to disassemble the switch and/or replace it by using a soldering iron.

Problem 2: Mechanical Keyboard Doesn’t Turn On

If your mechanical keyboard doesn’t turn on, or even if it does turn on but doesn’t send any input to your computer, then there are a few different issues that can cause this.

First, if you’re using a wireless keyboard, try removing the USB 2.4GHz dongle from your computer and reinserting it again. This can sometimes fix the issue by forcing the keyboard to reconnect. It is worth noting that some high end keyboards have a key-combination to activate wireless mode, so be sure to check your instruction manual.

If your keyboard is wired, this could mean that there is a problem with the USB cable that connects to the keyboard. If it is detachable, try a different USB cable. If it isn’t detachable, then you may need to take the keyboard in for repair as the cable may be short circuited. 

When it comes to troubleshooting any electronic device, it is always good to double check the problem by trying the product on a different computer. If your keyboard doesn’t work properly, try it on another computer and see if the problem persists. This will help to show if the computer you’re using is at fault, or if the keyboard itself has the issue.

Problem 3: If Your Hot-Swappable Keyboard Switches Aren't Working

As you're using a hot-swappable keyboard, this is an easy fix.

First, remove the keycap and switch of the affected key, and visually inspect the 2 metal pins on the bottom of the switch. Chances are, these could have been accidentally bent when you where inserting the mechanical switch. Don't worry as you can easily fix bent mechanical keyboard pins.

 

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