How to Lube Keyboard Switches

For those who truly care about owning the best keyboard should be asking themselves the question: When was the last time you lubed up? Knowing how to lube keyboard switches is a right of passage for anyone who wants to consider themself a true king of the keyboard. Because this process can be tricky, you should first possess a basic understanding of how to fix a keyboard.

So if this is a project has you burning with interest, read on.

How to Lube a Keyboard Switch

It’s not entirely unreasonable to question why keyboard keys would need lubrication. The answer, though, is definitive: it enhances the mechanical typing sound and the smoothness of the keystrokes. Again, this might sound a little excessive, but a smooth keyboard can reduce a lot of stress for those who type a lot. It’s simply a more pleasant experience.

The actual lubing process isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s also really fun. And if you know how to remove keyboard keys, you’re already one step closer to that beautiful, clicky sound. Of course, if your keyboard is broken, read our guide on how to fix a keyboard on a laptop.

STEP 1

Take off all the keycaps using a flathead screwdriver or key remover.

STEP 2

Remove the keyboard casing to access the switches and see the printed circuit board (PCB).

STEP 3

Some keyboards allow you to pull the switches directly out and don’t require soldering, so check for this before starting. If you can’t pull the switches, heat your soldering iron and de-solder each mechanical keyboard switch.

STEP 4

Once the keys are out, use a flathead screwdriver (or precision tool) to pull the keys apart by loosening the four clips around the sides of the switch.

STEP 5

There are four main switch components: Spring, Lower Housing, Upper Housing, and Stem.

STEP 6

Proceed to brush on a bit of lube to the lower switch housing. You’ll want to lube the floor, in and around the cylinder, and where the stem sits. There will likely be a little copper leaf (called a click leaf) within the lower housing. Try not to get any switch lubricant on this part.

STEP 7

Wipe off any excess lube.

STEP 8

Put all the switch springs into a bag with lube. Doing them all at once is the fastest and easiest way. Then place each spring in the cylinder of the lower housings.

STEP 9

Brush a bit of lube on the stems. Here, make sure to lube the cylindrical area, but avoid lubing the stem legs that poke out the bottom.

STEP 10

Brush on a bit of lube to the area of the upper housing where the stem sits.

STEP 11

Put the switch components back together. As you do this, make sure everything fits appropriately and nothing seems off.

STEP 12

Put each lubed switch back into the keyboard and then resolder into the PCB.

STEP 13

Test to make sure that all the keys work correctly.

F.A.Q.S