Key chattering on mechanical keyboard

[ringo]

Are all mechanical keyboard prone to this problem, even clones like kalih and outemu switches??

 

So dust inevitably goes in switch and chattering happens?

[191x7]

They are. Some might experience it soon, some later, some never. And it's not just outside dust, most of the chattering is caused by the fine dust the switches create from being used, and most of it can be solved with a few alcohol drops.

[KING OF THE DIRTY DANS]

I had chatter on my Model M once, replacing the cap helped

[ringo]

hmmm then there is no point in buying used mech keyboard, keys it will eventually started to chatter. Since keyboard has more than 100 key it can become a problem that there is a chance that every once in a while new key will started to chatter. Maybe is better to buy some cheap new mech keyboard with full warratny.

[geo3]

1. Any mechanical switch will likely last longer than a membrane keyboard.

2. Mechanical are fairly easy to repair. Either clean or replace the bad switch.

3. Most people get mechanical because the feel much better than non mechanical. Longevity is just a bonus. 

 

[RainingTacco]

On 6/29/2019 at 5:10 PM, 191x7 said:

They are. Some might experience it soon, some later, some never. And it's not just outside dust, most of the chattering is caused by the fine dust the switches create from being used, and most of it can be solved with a few alcohol drops.

What do you mean by alcohol? Like dropping a droplet in the switch, on the stem? Flooding the switch with alcohol? Just dropping it there and thats all? No rubbing? No placing the keyboard upside down?

[191x7]

5 hours ago, RainingTacco said:

What do you mean by alcohol? Like dropping a droplet in the switch, on the stem? Flooding the switch with alcohol? Just dropping it there and thats all? No rubbing? No placing the keyboard upside down?

70% - 90% alcohol

Unplug the keyboard, take the batteries out if it's wireless.

Take the keycap off.

Press the stem/key to lower the switch to the bottom position.

Drop a few drops of alcohol into the switch.

Work the switch out by rapidly pressing it.

Leave it dry.

Plug the kb back in and try.

Redo if not fixed from the first try.

[RainingTacco]

On 7/29/2020 at 8:08 AM, 191x7 said:

70% - 90% alcohol

Unplug the keyboard, take the batteries out if it's wireless.

Take the keycap off.

Press the stem/key to lower the switch to the bottom position.

Drop a few drops of alcohol into the switch.

Work the switch out by rapidly pressing it.

Leave it dry.

Plug the kb back in and try.

Redo if not fixed from the first try.

Hi. I've applied your technique to my keyboard. I've cleaned it thoroughly, dusted off, poured isopropyl over every switch, pushed dozen of times each, and well it works! No chatter so far. 

 

Since its very time consuming, i recommend using few litters of isopropyl[you can reuse it for other purposes still!], submerge whole keyboard, push the switches and then remove keyboard from alcohol and dry it. It should work the same. The problem with mechanical keyboards is the dust buildup. If you live in a dusty area, your keyboard will start to chatter if you don't clean it. So much for the supposed "mechanical keyboard legendary durability"... My membrane keyboard was NEVER prone to dust or any contaminants like even spilled juice, beside some sticky switches until cleaned off. Next keyboard won't be mechanical for sure. 

[191x7]

On 8/14/2020 at 2:11 PM, RainingTacco said:

Hi. I've applied your technique to my keyboard. I've cleaned it thoroughly, dusted off, poured isopropyl over every switch, pushed dozen of times each, and well it works! No chatter so far. 

You've gone overkill. You only needed to do the alcohol drops on the keys that were chattering, not the whole keyboard.

But doing such a full clean on a yearly basis, or every few years (when the chattering happens), isn't such a bad idea.

 

Edit: chattering doesn't happen from the dust in the air but from the fine dust that gets created by using the switch.