Why is my keyboard squeaky?

[summy]

So, my left shift, spacebar, right shift, enter, backspace, seem to squeak when I press the keys softly. I know it's the springs, but how do I fix it?

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

So is this a mechanical, or membrane keyboard?

[Arya]

That's normal. Mechanical boards are noisy, that's part of why people love them.

[Black Mambo № 5]

Assuming its a mechanical keyboard, since most of the keys you mentioned have a "squeakiness", this points to the "stabilizers" coming loose or getting rough due to dust deposition near them. Best fix is to take out all the keys, clean the keyboard and put them back.

Longer key stabilizers depends on what brand of keyboard you are using. Some brands use a dual-hook and a metal wire, while some use cherry styled stems. If your keyboard is using "metallic" stabilizers, I'd suggest looking at some videos on how to take out the keys and the stabilizers, because this can be tricky for inexperienced users. If it uses cherry-style stems, then you simply need to pull out the keys normally, not expertise required.

Also, if its a brand new keyboard, there will be slight stiffness which can also cause squeaking, this is usually the case with cheaper mech-keyboard. Give them some time to normalize out, the squeaking will eventually go away after some days or weeks of use.

On mech-keyboards, the switch-stems themselves can get a bit squeaky if there is some dust or whatever stuck in between them, usually happens if you spill something on the keyboard. Take a look here at how to clean a mech-keyboard. Its really easy -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw_tpElJbxY

Did some googling as well -- nice article on how to lubricate your stabilizers(assuming they are metallic styled) Fixing squeakiness in mechanical keyboards[www.daskeyboard.com].

Membrane keyboards almost never have any squeaking. If there is, its mostly due to dust stuck between the key-cap and membrane stem. So the solution there as well is simply removing the keys and cleaning.

[summy]

I apologize for not telling you my keyboard. Here, https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823162037

[summy]

I've fixed it, it seems. Thanks everyone! I now know how to fix my keyboard of squeakiness.

[Black Mambo № 5]

Yeah, it was obvious that its a mech-keyboard. The fix is more or less the same for all mech-keyboards. Just makes sure are careful while removing the keys. Lubricating or cleaning can help reduce squeaking.

[summy]

Originally posted by Black Mambo № 5:

Yeah, it was obvious that its a mech-keyboard. The fix is more or less the same for all mech-keyboards. Just makes sure are careful while removing the keys. Lubricating or cleaning can help reduce squeaking.

Yea, the metal bars that keeps these larger keys in place were full of hair and dust, removed those and now it's a different keyboard.

[Black Mambo № 5]

Nice. Usually its best to clean your mech-keyboard every 3-6 months depending on your environment. If you have a pet dog or cat then cleaning it every 3 months is best. Hardly takes 10-15 mins.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Black Mambo № 5:

Nice. Usually its best to clean your mech-keyboard every 3-6 months depending on your environment. If you have a pet dog or cat then cleaning it every 3 months is best. Hardly takes 10-15 mins.

He also want to take care when washing the keys caps, as he could damage the coating on the keys, but that depend how good the coating is on the product.

[summy]

Originally posted by Black Mambo № 5:

Nice. Usually its best to clean your mech-keyboard every 3-6 months depending on your environment. If you have a pet dog or cat then cleaning it every 3 months is best. Hardly takes 10-15 mins.

Yeah, didn't take long at all, I do have a cat but it doesn't shed, and rarely ever comes in my room.

[Black Mambo № 5]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

He also want to take care when washing the keys caps, as he could damage the coating on the keys, but that depend how good the coating is on the product.

Washing key-caps is only needed if you have spilled something like coffee or pepsi etc. on your keyboard. Even then if you're washing with regular tap-water(which is more than enough) there is no need to worry much. As long as the symbols and letters on the key-caps aren't printed with ink, they should be fine. Most keyboards are laser-etched or double-shot. So cleaning them with water isn't a huge concern.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Black Mambo № 5:

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

He also want to take care when washing the keys caps, as he could damage the coating on the keys, but that depend how good the coating is on the product.

Washing key-caps is only needed if you have spilled something like coffee or pepsi etc. on your keyboard. Even then if you're washing with regular tap-water(which is more than enough) there is no need to worry much. As long as the symbols and letters on the key-caps aren't printed with ink, they should be fine. Most keyboards are laser-etched or double-shot. So cleaning them with water isn't a huge concern.

Depending on what is spilled on the keys, water may not be enough, if you don't remove the residue, which could attract bugs.

[Black Mambo № 5]

Base-plate cleaning is a different thing compared to key-cap cleaning.
Plain water is more than enough for cleaning key-caps. For the base-plate you might need rubbing alcohol etc.
Obviously. that's not the case in this situation, since here it was simple dust & other particles etc. Nothing to worry about.