How to Lube Mechanical Keyboard Switches: A Step-By-Step Guide - Hirosart (2024)

Lubing the switches on your mechanical keyboard can greatly improve your typing experience by making the switches smoother, more durable, and reducing friction, noise, and vibration. However, it's important to note that not all switch types are suitable for lubing. In our article, we guide you through a simple, step-by-step process of how to lube switches to achieve these benefits, ensuring your keyboard performs at its best while explaining which switches should not be lubed and why.

How Often Should You Lubricate Your Switches?

The frequency at which you need to lubricate your mechanical keyboard switches varies depending on several factors. These include the type of switches, how intensively you use your keyboard, and the environment in which it's used.

For light to moderate use, lubricating your switches every 6 to 12 months should suffice. If you're a heavy user or a gamer, you might need to re-lube every 3 to 6 months. Additionally, harsh environments with high humidity or dust can accelerate lubricant degradation, necessitating more frequent lubrication.

Generally, a high-quality lubricant can last anywhere from six months to two years under normal conditions. However, if you notice a significant change in your keyboard's typing feel: sound, gratingness, or smoothness, it's a good indicator that it's time for another lubrication session.

Signs your mechanical keyboard needs lubrication

• Stiff or uneven keystrokes: If your keyboard has lost its smooth, consistent feel, it might be time for lubrication. Stiff keys or noticeable differences in keystroke resistance can hinder typing speed and comfort.
• Unwanted noise: Squeaks, rattles, or other unusual sounds during typing are often symptoms of a dry keyboard. Lubrication can significantly reduce these distracting noises and create a quieter typing experience.
• Ghosting or double typing: When multiple keystrokes are registered from a single press, it's known as ghosting. This issue, along with accidental double typing, can be frustrating and is often caused by sticky or unresponsive switches. Lubrication can help restore accurate key registration.
• Decreased responsiveness: A sluggish or less responsive keyboard can impact your workflow. Friction buildup within the switches can cause this issue, and lubrication can restore the keyboard's speed and agility.

Tools Required to Lube Your Switches

9 Steps to Lube Your Switches

Mechanical keyboard switches are composed of several key components, each playing a crucial role in the switch's operation, feel, and sound. Here's a breakdown of the anatomy of a typical mechanical switch:

Step 1: Remove the Switches from Your Keyboard

In the first step, you need to remove the switches from the keyboard top. You may use a pair of tweezers to take off the switch tops.

Step 2: Pull Apart the Switch

To open a mechanical keyboard switch, use a switch opener. Locate the tabs on the sides of the switch housing - they will either be two fork-like tabs (Cherry-style) or two thick tabs covering the entire sides (Kailh-style). Match the switch opener's interior surfaces to the corresponding tab style.

Place the switch right-side up on the appropriate part of the opener, aligning the tabs. Gently press down on the stem to release the top housing. Separate the components for lubrication. Avoid opening clicky switches as it may affect their sound. Avoid lubing clicky switches, as it can remove their click. Linears and tactile are fine to lube.

Step 3: Lubricate the Lower Housing

Brush one end of your brush along one interior slider, then the other. Repeat once or twice until the coating is even and barely visible. Gently dab the brush in the lubricant. Opt for Krytox 205g0 if you're working on linear switches and Tribosys 3203 for tactile ones.

Start with less lube than you think you need, as a little goes a long way. It's easier to add more than to clean off excess. Finally, use any remaining lube on the brush to lightly coat the rest of the plastic interior of the bottom housing, avoiding the metal leaf spring to prevent damage.

Step 4: Lubricate the Spring

Here are two ways to lube your switch springs:

1. Use a paintbrush to apply a thin coat of lubricant to the entire spring until it is brightly oiled. This method is ideal for beginners.

2. Remove the springs from all the switches and lube them together in a single bag. This is the most efficient approach for handling large batches. Apply a few drops of Krytox 105 grease – around five drops for every ten to twenty springs, but feel free to adjust based on your preference. Remember, less is often more when it comes to lubrication.

Seal the bag partially, then inflate it slightly with your breath. Shake the bag vigorously for about one to two minutes to evenly distribute the lubricant on the springs. Once coated, remove the springs and untangle them by gently twisting them apart, similar to removing a key from a keychain.

After lubing the spring, place it on the bottom housing while you lube the stem and top housing. This keeps your workspace clean.

Step 5: Lubricating the Stem

To lube the stem, gently brush the lube on the flat face and then one slider side. For the face with the legs, note that linear switch legs should be lubed to maintain smoothness, while tactile switch legs should not be lubed to preserve tactility.

So, for linear switches, apply lube to the legs and the space between them, smoothing it out. For tactile switches, only lube the flat space or skip that side entirely. Finally, use the remaining lube on the other slider side.

Step 6: Lubricate the Upper Housing

You may apply the lube to the section where the stem comes in contact with the upper housing. By using a gentle force, you can apply the lube with precision.

Step 7: Reassemble the Switch

After lubricating different parts of the switch, you can reassemble the switch. While doing so, you must be careful about bending the crosspoint contacts. One of the best ways is to make a video while removing the switches to remember how to fit it back the same way. Once the upper housing and lower housings snap together, you are good to go.

Related Articles:

• How to remove keycaps without tool?
• How to Film Switches on a Mechanical Keyboard?

Step 8: Reinstall the Switches Onto the Keyboard

You can reinstall the switches on your keyboard by pressing them or soldering them in position, depending on their type.

Step 9: Plug In Keyboard and Test Your Switches

The final step is to reconnect the keyboard and test the switches using a free online tester called Key-test. Be sure to test the keyboard before fully reassembling it, as it's inconvenient to take everything apart again if there's an issue. If a key doesn't work, it might be due to improper soldering or misalignment in the sockets. If those aren't the problems, the metal leaf inside the switch might be damaged, requiring a replacement switch.

Relative Article

• The Best Lube for your Mechanical Keyboard Switches And Stabilizers
• A Detailed Guide To Lubing Topre Switches
• How to Film Switches on a Mechanical Keyboard?

Common Issues and Tested Fixes With Newly Lubricated Switches

Reassembling the switches may be a sigh of relief for you. However, there are a few issues that you may face in the post-lubrication phase.

Mushy Keys

Mushy keys can result from applying too much lube to the switches. You can take the mushy keys off and wipe the excess lube to resolve the issue.

Reduced Tactility

Tactile switches may lose their tactility after lubrication. You can wipe off the lube from the stem's legs and rails to restore the tactility of your tactile switches.

No Key Response

If one or more keys fail to actuate, you may risk damaging your PCB. You may replace one of the function keys with the faulty ones to check if it actuates. If yes, your PCB is safe. You may check the pins to straighten them. Generally, setting the pins right resolves the problem.

Reduced Smoothness

Lost the smoothness? You might have missed some areas while lubing the switches. In such cases, removing the keys and applying the lube again can increase the smoothness of your switches.

How to Lube Switches Without Desoldering?

You CAN completely lubricate the switches without removing the solder joints. This method is often called "band-aid mod". While not quite as effective as removing all the switches from the keyboard, this method is still worth doing for maintenance purposes.

The Push-Stem Technique

Although no method can provide as good an experience as removing switches for lubrication, the Push-Stem technique is worth a try. Although only about 70% effective, this lubrication method is less technical than removing the switches from the PCB and reduces the risk of damaging them. Therefore, the Push-Stem method is the optimal choice for those who do not know how to handle solder joints or do not want to remove the switches.

• Step 1: Use keycap puller to remove the keycap from the keyboard
• Step 2: Use a small brush, apply a thin layer of lubricant onto the switch surface
• Step 3: Use tweezers to press the stem and then use a brush to apply or drop 1 - 2 drops directly so the lubricant can reach the interior parts of the switch such as sliders, contact points...
• Step 4: Press the switches to make sure they still operate properly. If there are any problems, you can readjust the amount of lubricant.
• Step 5: Place the keycap back on the switch and wipe off any excess lubricant.

The Spray Lube Method

The lubricating spray method is a popular and effective method for lubricating switches on mechanical keyboards without removing solder joints. However, this method is a bit messy because you need to remove all keycaps from the keyboard.

• Step 1: Remove all keycaps and place them in a box or tray to avoid loss.
• Step 2: Press the switch down so the lubricant can reach the gap between the switch parts.
• Step 3: Aim the spray tube at the position that needs lubrication, press 1-2 times to ensure the lubricant is evenly distributed.
• Step 4: Press the switches and check to see if the switches are working as expected. If not, spray a little more lubricant.
• Step 5: Use Isopropyl alcohol to remove excess and reinstall the keycaps.

Where to Get Switches Pre-Lubed?

You have several options for acquiring pre-lubed mechanical keyboard switches:

• Retailers: Check KBDfans, NovelKeys, and Drop,…
• Manufacturers: Gateron, Durock, and Kailh,...
• Enthusiast Stores: The Key Company, Cannon Keys, and MechGroupBuys,...
• Community Platforms: Explore Reddit’s r/mechmarket and Discord groups,...
• Marketplaces: Amazon, eBay,...

Conclusion

If you want to find out how to lube keyboard switches, we have mentioned all the details above to help you choose the right lube and apply it. How often you lube keyboard switches depends on your usage. While this may be correct, It is vital to lube switches for proper functioning over the years.

FAQs

How long does the lube last in switches?

Typically, the lube wears off after a year or two, depending on your keyboard usage. If you use your keyboard quite frequently, you may re-lube the switches after six to seven months.

How often should you lubricate your switches?

How often you should lubricate your switches depends on your keyboard usage. If you are a moderate user, you may want to re-lube the keys after a year or two. Frequent users may re-lube the switches after six to seven months.

What kind of switches should I lube?

Using the recommended lube for each type, you can lube tactical, clicky, and linear switches.

Do I need to lube my switches?

Yes, lubing your switches can reduce the friction and sound of your mechanical keyboard. The lube also saves your switches from early degrading.

What tools do you need to lubricate your switches?

You need a lubricant, small paintbrush, switch opener, soldering iron, tweezers, and a clean workstation to lube your mechanical switches.

Should I lube clicky switches?

Do I lube clicky switches? The answer to this question is yes. You may lube your clicky switches using the recommended lube type.