kiki

Hello #MechanicalkKeyboard, I have an old and loved keyboard with cherry black switches. A few keys, most notably left ctrl, need a "warmup". They won't function out of the box, instead I have to press them intensely for a couple dozen times and then they work again.

What do I need to change/repair to get rid of this behaviour? Is it some kind of cold solder connection or a defect switch or something else? Only affects 2-3 keys, the others are fine.

Sep 28, 2025 at 11:30amWeb
Show threadlxskllrSep 28, 2025

@Kiki

Can't help you, but I have a model M that has the same behavior. It needs to be physically warm before all the keys work. I think you're on the right track with solder connections.

Show threadDan Fixes Coin-OpsSep 28, 2025
@Kiki do you smoke?
Show threadkikiSep 28, 2025
@ifixcoinops no. My partner occasionally vapes, but not in the room where this keyboard resides.
Show threadDan Fixes Coin-OpsSep 28, 2025
@Kiki Pop a new switch in and see if the problem goes away, is where I'd start
Show threadDan Fixes Coin-OpsSep 28, 2025
@Kiki reason why I asked about smoking is arcade games that have been in smoky pubs often display this behaviour, the horrible tarry shite coats the switch contacts and then gets displaced by kinda squelching it off to the sides as the game gets played, resulting in a switch that needs a few presses in the morning before it starts working, leave it alone for a bit and it creeps back, insidious. Same thing can happen if something gets spilled on it. Either way start with the switch and see how you get on
Show threadkikiSep 28, 2025
@ifixcoinops good to know, I'll see if someone in my hackerspace has a few spare switches!
Show threadHeals Sep 28, 2025

@Kiki I’d try to rule out a dirt problem first of all - going as far as removing the keycap and checking how it reacts when pressed with a bare finger / if I can see or blow out any debris. If that’s all clear it might be the switch (in which case I’d exchange that one and a working one to see if the error travels along with the switch).

How to replace one depends on what keyboard it is in though.. for non-hotswappables you’ll need some soldering to get it out and a new one in.

Show threadkikiSep 28, 2025
@heals thanks! It's likely soldered but that'd be no problem for me.