How To: Swap Keycaps on a Mechanical Keyboard

Mechanical Keyboards are the keyboards of choice for gamers, coders, and keyboard aficionados. One of the best parts about mechanical keyboards (besides the joy of typing on one) is the endless customization options, from the lighting options, to the switches, to the keycaps, you can create a keyboard that's as unique as you are! One of the simplest ways to customize your keyboard is replacing the keycaps. By the end of this guide you'll know how to safely replace the keycaps on your mechanical keyboard and be well on your way to making your keyboard uniquely you.

Disclaimer - There is always risk of breaking switches and/or keycaps when replacing keycaps on a mechanical keyboard. Please take care when removing keycaps, switches, and cleaning your keyboard. Never attempt to remove keycaps or switches without a switch and keycap puller. Remember, this how to is only for mechanical keyboards—if you don’t know what kind of keyboard you have, it's likely a rubber dome keyboard and this guide won't apply.

1. Mechanical Keyboard
2. Spare Switches
3. Keycap Puller
4. Switch Puller
5. Keycaps
6. Computer
7. Canned Air (optional)
8. Swabs
9. Rubbing Alcohol
10. Microfiber Cloth

There are a number of online retailers that specialize in mechanical keyboards. Below is a list of sites where keyboards, switches, keycaps, and pullers can be purchased
Glorious PC Gaming Race
Mechanical Keyboards
Drop

Disconnect the USB cord from the port on your keyboard. You'll need to check your owners manual for the location of the input on your keyboard. It's important to disconnect the USB before moving on to ensure you don't accidently open anything or type while swapping the keycaps.

Wipe down your keyboard with a microfiber cloth. Doing so helps to clear off any lint or dust on the keycaps and prevent dust and lint from getting trapped between the replaced keycaps and switches.

You'll most likely want to clean your keycaps (as long as you're saving them) after they've been removed from the keyboard as well. To learn more about cleaning keycaps, see this tutorial from Glorious PC Gaming Race.

To pull the existing keycaps you'll need to use a keycap puller. It's important to use the puller as opposed to prying off the keys by hand, this helps protect your switches from potential damage. Grasp the keycap puller and push it down on to the keycap until you hear the "click". Once you hear the click pull straight up, you may need to hold the keyboard with the opposite hand. The keycap should come off the switch with a small amount of force. Continue with all the keycaps until there are none left on the board.

If any switches pop out while pulling the keycaps, replace the broken switches with spares on hand. To replace a broken switch, grasp the switch with 2 fingers, line the prongs up with the seating in the keyboard and push down firmly. The switch should audibly "snap" into place.

For those of us with furry pets, their fur gets everywhere, including the keyboard! Take this opportunity to blow out the keyboard with canned air. To do so simply point your air can with the straw attached at the keyboard at a distance of about 12 inches. Be sure to clean off any fur and particles that may have blown off the keyboard onto your workspace before continuing.

To prevent dust, fur, and lint from getting trapped between the switch and keycap, clean the board with rubbing alcohol sprayed onto low or lint free swabs. Be sure to clean the areas between the switches. If you're feeling brave, take a moment to marvel at just how gross your keyboard gets from regular use.

Now that your board is clean, it's time to reconnect the board to the computer by plugging in the USB.

Before putting on the new keycaps, it's important to test your switches. To do so open a word document and actuate each switch individually making sure to pay close attention to the behavior of each switch when pressed.

You know what to do, it's time to disconnect that USB again.

Arrange your keycaps in to match the placement you want on the keyboard. If you're not sure of the layout for a QWERTY keyboard, use this handy reference as a guide. Then place your keycaps above your keyboard on your workspace to make placement easier.

The time has come to assemble your keyboard! Grab the first keycap firmly between 2 fingers, match the hole on the underside of the keycap with the post and push straight down firmly on the keycap. When released the keycap should pop back up securely as if it was pressed while typing.

Pay close attention to keycaps with stabilizers, these have additional posts and will require extra care when placing the keycaps. Continue the process until all keycaps have been attached.

We did it, this is the last step! Reconnect the USB to the keyboard and enjoy your new keycaps.

In this video I walk through all the steps required to remove and replace the keycaps on your mechanical keyboard.

I hope this instructable has gotten you excited about the world of mechanical keyboards and all the options to make your keyboard your own by changing your keycaps!