How to Replace Keycaps on Keyboard – Safe & Easy Guide

Have you ever felt your beloved mechanical keyboard becoming boring? Or have the characters on the keys started to fade after long hours of work and gaming battles? Don’t rush into thinking about buying a new keyboard! With just a new set of keycaps, you can completely “transform” your workspace. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to replace keycaps on keyboard safely and effectively, from preparation and removal to choosing the right type of keycaps. Whether you’re a beginner in the DIY keyboard hobby or a gamer looking to optimize your experience, this article is for you.

Why Should You Replace Your Keyboard Keycaps?

Replacing keycaps isn’t just a trend; it’s a smart upgrade that offers many practical benefits, helping you personalize your setup impressively.

• Aesthetics & Style: This is the fastest way to refresh your workspace. A unique set of custom keycaps will turn a keyboard from a simple tool into a work of art that expresses your personality.
• Improve Typing Experience: The material and profile of a keycap directly affect the feel and sound of typing. Switching from ABS to PBT can provide a more solid feel and a more satisfying “thocky” sound.
• Increase Durability: High-quality PBT keycaps are resistant to wear, shining, and fading, making them much more durable than the stock ABS keycaps on most common keyboards.
• Opportunity for Deep Cleaning: Removing all keycaps is a golden opportunity to perform keyboard maintenance, cleaning all the dust, hair, and debris accumulated underneath, helping to fix stuck keys that might occur.

Thorough Preparation Before Starting

Good preparation is key to a smooth and safe keycap replacement process. Don’t skip this step!

Necessary Tools

You don’t need complicated tools, just a few basic items:

• Keycap Puller: This is a mandatory item. It’s recommended to prioritize a wire puller type as it grips the keycap from two sides, distributes force evenly, and reduces the risk of scratching the keycap or breaking the switch.
• New Keycap Set: The soul of the upgrade! This could be ABS keycaps, PBT keycaps, or a unique set of artisan keycaps.
• Cleaning Tools: A soft-bristled cleaning brush, cotton swabs, and some 70% Isopropyl alcohol to clean the keyboard’s surface.

Prepare Your Workspace

• Disconnect the Keyboard: Always unplug the USB cable from the computer before working.
• Take a Photo of the Layout: Important! Use your phone to take a picture of your entire keyboard layout. This will save you from the nightmare of misplacing function keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt).
• Prepare the Surface: Place the keyboard on a clean, well-lit, flat surface. You can use a soft cloth or a deskmat as a liner.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Replace Keyboard Keycaps

This is the most important part! We will guide you through an extremely simple 3-step process to swap keycaps like a pro.

Step 1 – Remove Old Keycaps

This step requires gentleness and patience to avoid breaking switches.

1. Grip the keycap: Use the keycap puller to grip two opposite sides of the keycap.
2. Pull straight up: Pull gently and firmly in a vertical direction. The keycap will pop off the stem of the switch.
3. Note for long keys: For long keys like the Spacebar, Enter, Shift, and Backspace, they have an additional stabilizer. Pull gently from both sides first, then lift the middle to detach them from the stabilizer joints.

Step 2 – Clean the Keyboard

Now that you have a bare-bones keyboard, this is the perfect time to clean it.

1. Use a brush or air blower to remove dust and hair stuck between the switches.
2. Use alcohol-dipped cotton swabs to wipe away stubborn stains on the plate (the panel holding the switches).
3. If you want to reuse the old keycap set, soak them in warm, soapy water and dry them completely.

This not only makes the keyboard look clean but also ensures no obstructions will cause keys to get stuck later.

Step 3 – Install New Keycaps

This is the most exciting step, where your keyboard gradually gets its “makeover.”

1. Reference your photo: Open the layout picture you took during preparation.
2. Align and press: Place the new keycap on the correct switch stem. Ensure it is aligned straight.
3. Press gently: Use your finger to press down gently and evenly. You will hear a small “click” and feel the keycap securely seated.
4. Test: After putting the keycaps back on, plug the keyboard in and open a text editor. Test-type all the keys to ensure they work normally and are not getting stuck.

How to Choose the Right Keycaps for You

Choosing between ABS and PBT keycaps is one of the most important decisions.

Feature	ABS Keycaps	PBT Keycaps
Material	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene	Polybutylene Terephthalate
Feel	Smooth, light	Slightly textured, solid, firm
Typing Sound	Higher-pitched and “clacky“	Deeper and “thocky“
Durability	Prone to shining after a period of use, wears down easily.	Resistant to shining, anti-wear, superior color durability.
Cost	Usually cheaper.	Usually more expensive.
Suitable for	General users, limited budgets.	Gamers, heavy typists, those seeking high durability.

Additionally, Custom & Artisan keycaps are excellent choices for those who want to create a unique highlight. They are often handmade with 3D designs or artistic color schemes, perfect for enhancing the beauty of an RGB keyboard.

Common Mistakes When Replacing Keycaps and How to Avoid Them

• Breaking the switch stem:
  • Cause: Using too much force or prying the keycap incorrectly.
  • How to avoid: Always use a keycap puller and pull straight up.
• Installing keys in the wrong position:
  • Cause: Not remembering the original layout.
  • How to avoid: Take a photo of the keyboard before removal.
• Losing stabilizer parts:
  • Cause: Pulling too hard on long keys, causing small stabilizer components to fly off.
  • How to avoid: Work gently and observe carefully when removing keys like the Spacebar and Enter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can keycaps be replaced on all types of keyboards?

Not entirely. This is easiest on a mechanical keyboard because they use switches with standard stems (usually the Cherry MX cross shape). Most laptop keyboards and membrane keyboards have different key retention mechanisms and cannot be replaced easily.

Which keycap profile should I choose (OEM, Cherry, SA, DSA)?

• OEM & Cherry: These are the two most common profiles, with a moderate height, and are easy to get used to. Cherry is slightly lower than OEM and is preferred by many for its shorter typing travel.
• SA: A very high profile, with keys that are distinctly sculpted. It offers a retro look and a unique typing sound.
• XDA/DSA: Flat profiles, where all keys are the same height, providing a minimalist and modern look.
  The choice of profile depends on personal preference and the typing feel you are aiming for.

How often should I clean and replace keycaps?

You should do a deep clean (removing all keycaps) every 6 months to 1 year, depending on your usage environment. Replacing keycaps entirely depends on your preference; you can change them whenever you want to refresh your workspace!

Replacing keycaps is one of the simplest, most cost-effective, and most impactful ways to upgrade and personalize your mechanical keyboard. This process not only provides a fresh new look but also significantly improves your daily typing experience. With our detailed guide, you can confidently perform this task right at home.