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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: cskeyboard on Fri, 08 April 2016, 21:09:02

Title: key not working :(
Post by: cskeyboard on Fri, 08 April 2016, 21:09:02
Hello, please go easy on me because i am a keyboard noob :(  I have had my code 87 cherry green board for a few months now and i love it! However yesterday i noticed that the '3' key isnt working properly, it sounds just the same as the other keys, however to ge the key to register the command i really have to put the tip of my finger of the key and press hard (much harder then i feel comfortable/is easy) my question is how do i fix this, is this an issue that i can fix without soldering? it is very frustrating :( sorry if this gets posted a lot but i didnt see a thread where its this style of broken.

edit:i noticed that if i just press the key with a normal amount of force it works, but not immediately, it take maybe 1/1.5 seconds before it responds :(
Title: Re: key not working :(
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 08 April 2016, 21:27:46
Almost certainly a cold-solder joint.


basically, when the switch is being soldered to the pcb, the solder did not meld to the contacts completely, so over time, the impact from you fingers will losen the connection, eventually leading to the intermittent behavior you're experiencing.


You have to take it apart and touch up that joint..

buy one of those $5 soldering irons online.. that's all you need..

you don't even need to buy any solder.
Title: Re: key not working :(
Post by: cskeyboard on Sat, 09 April 2016, 06:48:02
thank you, i will try that soon! does it make any difference if i say that when i hold shift and press it the key works normally?
Title: Re: key not working :(
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 09 April 2016, 14:44:37
Quote from: cskeyboard on Sat, 09 April 2016, 06:48:02
thank you, i will try that soon! does it make any difference if i say that when i hold shift and press it the key works normally?


if the key registers with ANY form of clicking,  that is intermittent operation.

Intermittent operation is caused by

loose connection, which can be caused by

--- cold solder joint
--- cracked pcb (cracking the copper traces)


It mayyy be a broken switch, but if that's the case, you will still need the soldering iron to fix it, by buying another switch.
Title: Re: key not working :(
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 09 April 2016, 23:45:35
Before you open it up, is it still under warranty?

If you've only had it a few months it should still be covered, the question is now much trouble it is to return it.