kikiSep 28, 2025

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.

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 threadkiki
@ifixcoinops good to know, I'll see if someone in my hackerspace has a few spare switches!
Sep 28, 2025 at 2:18pmWeb