Key randomly crapping out after liquid damage

[sapphire420]

6-12 months ago I accidentally spilled Gatorade on my Ducky Shine 4 (MX reds) because I'm an idiot. I used the rice trick you usually use when your phone gets water damage, two bags of white rice on each side, 24 hours, and it actually fixed the keyboard.

The only problem I still have is with my tab key. It will randomly crap out on me and not work for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. This doesn't happen very often, maybe once a month or so but it does happen.

Last night I took the key caps off and cleaned my keyboard. The tab key crapped out once again and hasn't came back since so I'm looking to get to the bottom of this because not having a tab key is very annoying.

All of the LEDs (incl. tab) are still alive and every other key works so I'm hoping that is a good sign. Any advice on how to fix this issue? Tried different USB cables, cleaning the micro USB port, different USB ports, etc., nothing.

[SpAmRaY]

You'll most likely need to replace that one switch.

[xtrafrood]

The rice will kind of remove the liquid (sort of) but it won't remove the corn syrup and sugar, unfortunately. Odd that the tab key is the only key that is unresponsive. Where did the Gaterade spill on the keyboard? Near the WASD keys? Problem is that you can't really open the switch to clean the contact and check the diode (if the switch has a diode in it) so like SpAmRay said, you'll probably have to desolder the switch and solder in a new one.

Would the op need to find a switch with a diode if he's replacing a switch with a diode? Those are for NKRO right?

[SpAmRaY]

The rice will kind of remove the liquid (sort of) but it won't remove the corn syrup and sugar, unfortunately. Odd that the tab key is the only key that is unresponsive. Where did the Gaterade spill on the keyboard? Near the WASD keys? Problem is that you can't really open the switch to clean the contact and check the diode (if the switch has a diode in it) so like SpAmRay said, you'll probably have to desolder the switch and solder in a new one.

Would the op need to find a switch with a diode if he's replacing a switch with a diode? Those are for NKRO right?

The diodes should be on the pcb not in the switch.

[merlin64]

Have you tried cleaning the contacts with 90+% isopropyl alcohol using a toothbrush?

I would use a multimeter to attach to both contact points of the tab switch on the PCB. Set it to beeping mode, and press the switch and see if you form a connection.

If you do, then the switch is fine and something with the PCB is wrong.


If the switch doesn't work, I would desolder it and replace it with another one, or just dunk the switch in a dental tab solution for half an hour, dry it out and then use the multimeter test.

[tp4tissue]

take it apart

desolder switch..

Swab BOTH sides of the contacts on the pcb..

Solder in NEW switch..

DO NOT attempt to CLEANNN a switch.  not worth the time.. just buy a new switch and put it in.

[jcoffin1981]

Cleaning the switch inside would probably solve the problem, but as mentioned it would be easier just to replace it.  You may want to buy 2 or 3 just to have, or a pack of 10 depending on how they are sold.  The individual switch price goes down substantially when buying  larger quantity.