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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: shrimfririceeeee on Tue, 17 January 2012, 17:02:27

Title: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: shrimfririceeeee on Tue, 17 January 2012, 17:02:27

I have a keyboard with cherry mx browns and the esc key is not registering.
It only registers when I press it really hard.

Am i supposed to disassemble it and clean?

I couldn't locate a thread on this even though i'm pretty sure there is one

I'm sorry if its easily found.

thanks
 shrimfririceeeee

Title: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: hamza_tm on Fri, 10 February 2012, 11:53:52

same problem here, the "7" key on the main keyboard isn't working at all.

Can it be fixed without resoldering? Maybe by swapping it with the scroll lock key or something?

I've been researching for the past few days and am still struggling to find an answer lol, have a TT Esports meka keyboard cherry mx black

Title: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: stingrae on Fri, 10 February 2012, 11:59:59

If you are still in warranty period i'm sure they could replace/fix the board for you.

Else yes you can desolder the switch if it is plate mounted (filcos, noppoos etc.).

Also if you have any question about desoldering I hear this guy has a pretty good signature to help on that front: http://geekhack.org/member.php?1574-ripster, you could also search youtube I think there's a video there.

Title: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: daerid on Fri, 10 February 2012, 12:48:09

Before anything, I'd try getting a can of air, popping the keycap off, depressing the stem, and blowing compressed air into the switch. Sometimes the symptoms you described can be caused by hair or particles getting into the switch and preventing the leaves from coming into contact with each other.

Title: Re: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 21 June 2015, 06:04:42

I have the same problem, also the keyswitch "seven" is the one not working anymore. Can I somehow use an oscillometer to measure the voltage of the leaf? Desoldering would be my last option ...

Title: Re: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: suicidal_orange on Sun, 21 June 2015, 06:18:00

Quote from: Eszett on Sun, 21 June 2015, 06:04:42

I have the same problem, also the keyswitch "seven" is the one not working anymore. Can I somehow use an oscillometer to measure the voltage of the leaf? Desoldering would be my last option ...

It's not usually the switch itself that dies but the connections on the PCB.  If it's repeating or only works when you press hard there may be something in the switch (see compressed air above) but if it's completely dead you're going to need a soldering iron.

The best thing to do is take it apart and take pics of the area of the PCB that's causing problems with the light at an angle so you can see the traces, then post them in making stuff together! (https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=117.0) and someone can suggest places to poke to test it further :)

Title: Re: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: hwood34 on Sun, 21 June 2015, 06:41:12

Reflow the solder joint. Seems to fix a problem a decent % of the time. Also, this is like the 10th topic on this in the past week. Try the search function.

Title: Re: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 21 June 2015, 07:00:48

Thanks for suggestions! The keyboard is like new, not dirt, not humidity, no artifacts. The switch is definately dead. Shortening the solderjoints has no effect. I will reflow the solder joints ...

Title: Re: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 02 August 2015, 16:22:34

Just to let you know: I got my issue solved. The problem was, that a screw of the case came down to the PCB, touched the PCB and destroyed a circuit path. Exactly the circuit path to that switch, which stopped working. I could repair it with a wire bridge.

Title: Re: cherry mx brown single key not working
Post by: suicidal_orange on Sun, 02 August 2015, 16:45:38

What a stupid place to put a screw!

Glad you got it sorted :)