If you are someone who interacts with the keyboard often and has to type loads of text every single day, you might have known that your mechanical keyboard emits annoying noises, that are characteristically clicky, loud, and audible in an otherwise silent hallway. The action of the individual switches on the keyboard is the reason for the noise.
There are plastic sliders available for each key in the mechanical keyboard. They get depressed down on a spring, that closes the electrical circuit, thus activating the required input for the computer. In the process, they emit the sound, which is indeed sought after by many typists.
How to make keyboard quieter? Let’s answer this in this post.
How to Make Keyboard Quieter? [6 Ways To Maintain Silence]
The keys of the mechanical keyboards could be noisy as they make use of physical switches to record a key press. At times, these loud keyboard clicks could be too loud and annoying for some people. Though these sounds appeal to most typists and gamers, there are a few people who hate the hard sound the key presses emit. Some good reasons why your keyboard emits a louder sound with every key press are as follows,
- The buildup of friction in the keyboard switches
- Presence of a hard and reflecting surface under the keyboard
- Switches that are worn out emit louder sounds
- Presence of a hollow area on low-end keyboards.
Some proven ways to quieten the mechanical keyboard:
Here are some proven ways to quieten the mechanical keyboard, without dampening the key feel for the users.
1. Use of Lubricants:
The use of lubricants and oils could reduce the level of noise in the switches of the mechanical keyboard. But it is not possible to use any form of lubricant on the keyboard switch. Thus, it is mandatory to look for special greasing agents that are safe to use on the keyboard, to ease its friction. They could be highly beneficial to use in swappable keyboards. You can easily remove the switches and disassemble the keyboard, and apply the oil inside the switches.
2. Using a Dampening Foam:
Another reason for the keyboard to be noisier is the presence of hollow spaces inside the keyboard. The existence of gaps between the circuit board of the keyboard and the keyboard case, and the presence of gaps between the keys will echo the sound waves. Thus, the keyboard emits sounds, when a button on pressed. The best way to fix this issue is to make use of keyboard foam. This foam stays firm between the circuit board and the keyboard black plate.
The foam should be cut precisely to fit the circuit board. There should be provisions made for the screw holes and the USB port in the foam. Finally, the foam should be inserted under the keyboard circuit board and reassembled.
3. Using Switch Film on the Keyboard:
There are different types of switch films available to be used in keyboards. The ultimate aim of the switching film is to reduce the rattle between the top and the bottom housing of the switch in the keyboard and to reduce the wiggle room between them. They can be used instead of dampening foam. The switch film could be successful in removing the unwanted typing sounds and making the keys a lot quieter.
4. Replacing Old and Worn-Out Switches:
A high-quality keyboard switch will function better and emit lower sound than an old keyboard switch. Also, a premium keyboard will render better key switches and less noise, without compromising on the key press feel of the mechanical keyboard.
One best way to quieten the keyboard is to replace the keys with silent ones and this is very much possible in keyboards that have swappable keys. This method may not be possible in mechanical keyboards in which the keys are soldered onto the board.
5. Try Using Rubber Rings, in Round Shape, For the Keys:
These rings, when inserted inside the keys of the mechanical keyboard is capable of mitigating the switching sound of the keys. They render a serious impact on decreasing the key noises. The rubber rings can be placed in the key switches, around the stems. You slide the rings on the switches, after removing the keycaps. These rings will not damper the lighting and will be of great help in quietening the sound of the switches during every single keystroke.
6. Mod the Stabilizers with the Help of Clips, Band-Aids, and Lubes:
Using mods to dampen the sounds of the mechanical keyboards requires a lot of effort and preparation, but its results could be stunning. These stabilizers balance the larger keys in the keyboard, to prevent them from shaking and rattling.
Modding the stabilizers could be of tremendous help in getting quieter and better-sounding keyboards. This includes a series of steps and the use of clips, lubes, and band-aids. The first step is to isolate the areas where the stabilizer makes contact with the PCB and strikes it, and to apply a small band aid over the area. This is one of the best ways to dampen the sounds of the keyboard and it also paves the best way to dampen the sounds that the keystrokes make.
The next alternative is to clip the base of the stabilizer and ensure to create a flatter and a solid surface in the due process. This step will stabilizer and offer more balance to the stabilizer and it also helps to love the rattling noises on each of the keystrokes. The final step is to make use of a lube, which levies a tremendous effect on lowering the sounds of the keys. When a stabilizer moves, it creates friction and vibration, which in turn increases the sounds of the individual keys in the keyboard. Making use of a lubricant can help mitigate this friction and enhance the sounds of the mechanical keyboard.
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Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Q1. How can I differentiate a mechanical keyboard?
A1. The best way to identify a mechanical keyboard is to lift its key cap off the keyboard and see if there is a switch underneath it. If yes, it is a mechanical keyboard. They render a characteristic key sound when the keys are pressed.
Q2. Why should I use a mechanical keyboard?
A2. For some users, the mechanical keyboards give a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in typing. They are also easier to repair and customize, as we can easily switch out the keys with minimal effort.
Q3. Can switch pads help in dampening the keyboard sound?
A3. The purpose of switch pads is not to make the keyboard sound quieter. They are meant to enhance the sound profile.
How To Make Keyboard Quieter? [Bottom Line]
With the excessive use of mechanical keyboards, the manufacturers are all set in solving this noise problem. They have been designing new age switches that are made out of a completely different material to dampen the noise of the plastic parts inside their mechanical housing. These switches however are not completely silent, but they are pretty quieter than the mechanical keys. They are at least 30% quieter than the standard key switches.
Noisy keyboards are trouble, not just for the person using them, but also for others who are around them as well. Having a noisy keyboard could be highly distracting in a quiet room. We hope the above-given tips and tricks will help you quieten your mechanical keyboard and focus more on the work than on the sound.