Mechanical keyboards are a dream for gamers, coders, and typing enthusiasts alike. They give you that nice, clicky sound when you type and feel better than most regular rubber dome keyboards. Plus, you can clean them, fix them, or even swap out the keycaps to make them match your style. But before you can do any of that, you first need to know how to remove keys from mechanical keyboard — the right way!
Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been using your mechanical keyboard for years, this easy guide will help you take off your keycaps like a pro — safely and quickly, without damaging anything.
Let’s get started!
🧑🏫 Tip: This guide is written in simple steps, so anyone — even an 8th grader — can follow along!
Why Remove Mechanical Keyboard Keys?
Before we talk about how to remove the keys, let’s first understand why you would want to do that in the first place. There are some pretty good reasons:
- 🧼 Deep clean: Dust, food crumbs, and pet hair love hiding under your keys. Removing them helps clean everything properly.
- 🎨 Change how your keyboard looks: Want colorful or glow-in-the-dark keycaps? You’ll need to pop off the old ones first.
- 🛠️ Fix or repair: Sometimes a key doesn’t work right, and you need to check what’s going on underneath.
- 🔄 Replace switches (for special keyboards): Some keyboards let you change the actual switch under the key. Taking the keycap off is the first step!
Whatever your reason, knowing how to remove your keys without doing any harm is super helpful.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these tools:
- A keycap puller (a small tool made to pull off keys)
- A bowl or tray to keep your keycaps safe
- A brush or can of compressed air to clean
- Paper towel or cloth to work on
- Optional: Isopropyl alcohol and microfiber cloth for deep cleaning
🧠 Pro Tip: If you don’t have a keycap puller, you can make one using two paperclips. Just bend them into a U-shape and gently use them to lift the keycaps from both sides.
Step 1: Power Off and Prepare Your Space
Safety first! If your keyboard is connected to your computer:
- Unplug it
- Turn off any power
- Remove batteries if it’s wireless
Then, set up your space:
- Use a towel on your desk to stop any sliding or dropping
- Have your tools and tray ready
This helps you stay organized and stops you from losing small pieces.
Step 2: Take a Photo of Your Keyboard
Before you start pulling off all the keys, it’s a good idea to take a picture of your keyboard layout. That way, when it’s time to put the keys back on, you’ll know exactly where everything goes.
📸 Snap a quick photo with your phone.
Step 3: Start Removing The Keys — The Right Way
Now let’s get to the fun part!
🧷 Here’s how to remove regular-sized keycaps like letters and numbers:
- Slide the keycap puller onto the keycap. It should grab the sides.
- Gently pull up, maybe wiggle a little if needed.
- POP! The key will come right off.
Set each key into your tray or bowl so you don’t lose any.
🧠 Reminder: Most mechanical switches (like Cherry MX, Gateron, or Kailh) are designed for keycaps to be removed. Just be gentle!
Step 4: Carefully Remove Big Keys (Like Spacebar & Shift)
Keys like the spacebar, shift, enter, and backspace may feel tougher — that’s because they use extra parts called stabilizers. These help the big keys press down evenly.
Follow these steps:
- Use two hands if you can
- Pull both sides up slowly and evenly
- Don’t yank! Be careful not to bend the metal bar or clip underneath
If it feels stuck, look under the key and gently loosen one side at a time.
🧱 Some brands have different kinds of stabilizers. If unsure, go slow and steady.
Step 5: Clean the Keyboard Base
Once all the keycaps are off, you can finally clean the surface.
🧹 How to do it:
- Use a brush or compressed air to blow away dirt, crumbs, or dust
- For sticky dirt, wipe gently with a microfiber cloth and a bit of isopropyl alcohol (not too much!)
- Don’t use water — that can damage the inside parts
😷 If your keyboard has been used for a while, you’ll be surprised how much built-up gunk is under there!
Step 6: Clean the Keycaps (Optional)
If your keys are dirty too, here’s a quick clean-up method:
- Put all your keycaps into a bowl
- Add warm (not hot) water and a drop of soap
- Let them soak for 20–30 minutes
- Rinse with clean water and dry completely on a towel
⏳ Make sure the keys are totally dry before putting them back on.
Step 7: Put the Keys Back On
Time to rebuild! Use that handy photo you took earlier to guide you.
How to reattach your keycaps:
- Place each key on the right switch
- Press down firmly until you feel a “click” or snap into place
- For big keys, make sure the stabilizers line up first
💡 Start with the middle keys (like the letters) and work your way out toward the special keys like arrows and function buttons.
Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some things you should NOT do:
❌ Don’t pull keys off too hard — you can damage the switch
❌ Don’t use sharp or metal tools — they can scratch your keyboard
❌ Don’t forget your layout photo — it’s easy to get mixed up later
❌ Don’t touch circuit parts if the keyboard is still plugged in
Remember, slow and careful is the way to go.
How Often Should You Clean Your Keys?
Here’s a simple rule:
- Regular users: Every 3 to 6 months
- Gamers or daily users: Every 1 to 2 months
- Spill alert: Clean immediately after accidents or sticky messes
The more love you show your keyboard, the longer it’ll stay awesome.
Final Thoughts: Become a Keyboard Maintenance Pro
Now you know exactly how to remove keys from mechanical keyboard setups like a pro! Whether you’re cleaning, fixing, or showing off your artistic side with cool keycaps, removing your keys the RIGHT way is super important.
Just remember:
- Use the right tools (keycap puller is your best friend)
- Be gentle, especially with bigger keys
- Take your time and work in a clean, safe space
Your keyboard deserves some TLC — and you’ll love how fresh it feels when you’re done.
Happy typing! 🎉