How to Remove and Install

Switches and Keycaps

 

Whether you're a keyboard beginner or enthusiast, there's nothing more satisfying than changing the switches for sound and feel changes or changing keycaps to make it more aesthetic. It's all about the customization to make your board perfect.

This article will guide you step-by-step to remove and install the switches and keycaps safely without causing any man-made defects which may void warranties or damage your beloved keyboard.

Before you proceed this article to change switches for your keyboard, do double check whether your keyboard model are hotswappable. 

If your keyboard is soldered, it requires soldering and desoldering in order for you to swap your switches.

If you are unsure about it, feel free to reach us out for clarification or drop by our store for us to check it out.

If your keyboard is hotswappable, let's get started!

 

What You'll Need - (Essential Tools)

 From left to right.

• TX Aluminium CNC Switch Puller - optional
• Gateron Switch Puller (Version 2) -  optional
• Switch Puller
• Keycap Puller
• 2-in-1 Switch and Keycap Puller
  
  

How to Remove Keycaps?

Step-by-step - 1U Keycap

1. Slide in the puller's wire to the keycap you want to remove.

2. Twist the puller to either one of the edge under the keycap.

3. Gently pull upwards until the keycap pops off.

Step-by-step - Longer Keycap with Stabilizers

Depending on the keyboard layout, there are a few keycap sizes that are longer and requires to have stabilizers in order to ensure the keys are going downwards and upwards evenly.

The common longer keycaps that can be found from your keyboard are left shift, right shift, enter, backspace and spacebar and it comes with different sizing variants too.

There are two methods to remove the longer keycaps as per below:

Method 1 - for shift, enter, backspace

1. Slide in the puller's wire to the keycap you wanted to remove.

2. Twist the puller to either one of the edge under the keycap.

3. Gently pull upwards until the keycap pops off.

Method 2 - for spacebar (applicable for all spacebar sizing)

1. Slide in the puller's wire to the spacebar.

2. Twist the puller to either one of the edge under the keycap.

3. Gently pull upwards and support the keycap with other hand until the keycap pops off.

4. Repeat step 1 - 3 for the other side.

5. TADA! You have removed your spacebar safely!

How to Remove Switches?

These are the common tools that we will be using to remove switches.
They are using the same mechanism to remove the switches. 

 
  There will be two clips on
  the top and bottom of
  the switches where the
  puller will be clipped on
  in order to remove the
  switches.

Step-by-step - removing switches

We will be demonstrating the way to remove switches with different type of pullers.

From the left to right will be Switch Puller, 2-in-1 Switch and Keycap Puller, TX Aluminium CNC Switch Puller and Gateron Switch Puller (Version 2).

1. Get ready with the tools that you have.

2. Place the two prongs of the puller under the top and bottom clips of the switch.

3. Squeeze the puller slightly to compress the clips.

4. Gently rock the switch upward and pull it out of the socket.

5. TADA! You have removed your switches safely!

How to Install Switches?

There is an important step that needs to taken note of prior install the switches. Do remember to check the switch pins and ensure it is straightened before the installation!
If the switch is not straighten during installation, it might still damage your keyboard PCB that may fall under improper assembly and may not be covered under warranty.

Referring to the image attached above, the ideal switch pins are on the right as it is straight.

Whilst we take as many precautions to prevent it, we cannot guarantee that the switch pins will not be bent during shipment. So it is important to take note of this prior to installation.


With using tweezers, you can straighten back the switch pins. Do remember to be gentle when doing adjustment on the switch pins as it might will damage the switches.

After straighten the switch pins, do check your keyboard PCB sockets before installation. The common PCB sockets are North and South facing but there are some keyboard that supports differ layout on single PCB have East and West facing.

Referring to the image attached below, it shows the PCB for Qwertykeys Neo80.
 Due to this PCB supporting both ISO and ANSI, the switches that can mounted on red circle area are in different direction depending on what layout you are going for.

Do remember to check the socket direction before install the switches as improper assembly will damaged the PCB. 

Take a look your keyboard PCB to check the correct placement for switch installation, you can refer the reference below for better understanding.

North Facing Socket

This will be North facing socket. The RGB will be facing upwards and it is suitable for users that looking for top printed shine through keycaps due to the legends are just the same direction where the RGB will be penetrated through.

The switch pins will be facing towards the user during the installation process.

South Facing Socket

This will be South facing socket. The RGB will be facing downwards and it is suitable for users that looking for side printed shine through keycaps due to the legends are just the same direction where the RGB will be penetrated through.

The switch pins will be facing opposite of the user during the installation process.

East/West Facing Socket

This will be the East and West facing socket that can be easily found from keyboard PCB that supports more than one layout. There will be different functions for each socket so do check your preferred layout before installation.

The switch pins will be facing either left or right side of the user during the installation process.

What to do after checking the sockets?

You may refer to the image below and get to know how the switches are being connected with the PCB. Every component on the switch will be installed according to the correct placement as labelled in the image below for reference.

After place the switch and let it sit evenly on the keyboard plate, gently push the switch downwards in order to connect the switch pins with the PCB.

DO TAKE NOTE, don't force when installing the switches and don't directly install the switches without letting the switches sitting evenly on the plate to prevent any damages on switches and PCB.

Once you are done installing the switches, remember run a test to check the switch functionality. You can either use any of the keyboard tester website or some keyboard software/driver does come with a keyboard testing page.

How to Install Keycaps?

Installing keycaps is the most straightforward process for custom keyboards, but taking a careful approach will helps you to avoid from damaging your keyboard or switches. You may refer the guideline below before you install your keycaps.

Step-by-step

1. Align the switch stems (a plus-shape for MX-style switches) with the underside of the keycap. 

2. Gently press down the keycap but firmly until the keycap is snug,

3. Be careful with the longer keycaps that involves stabilizers (Left/Right Shift, Spacebar, Enter, Backspace), make sure the stabilizer are seated correctly before pressing in.

1U Keycap

Longer Keycap with Stabilizers

1. Backspace

2. Enter

3. Left Shift

4. Right Shift

5. Spacebar - applicable for all spacebar sizing

 

Feel free to reach us out for any enquiries :)