6 ways to make mechanical keyboards less noisy

There are a few things you can try to make your mechanical keyboard less noisy when playing games or working in the office. These measures will greatly reduce the noise of the keyboard.

1. Change the work surface

The keyboard placement also contributes to the increase/decrease in clicking noise. Normally, the force transmitted to the keyboard spring is reduced somewhere below the bottom face. It's also the reason your keyboard is noisier when you put it on your lap.

Therefore, you should first check the position of your keyboard and change your work surface if possible. Buying a desk pad may be a better option if you can't afford a new desk.

2. Using the pads

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If there's a mouse pad nearby, try placing the keyboard on top and start typing, and see if the keyboard reduces the noise. If that works, consider buying a desk pad.

Typing on the keyboard causes some force to be transferred to the desk surface. The vibrations on a surface tend to increase the vibrational noise and amplify the noise level. Therefore, it is imperative to relieve that force before it reaches the workbench. Using a desk pad can help you with this, as it acts as a cushion.

Satechi Eco-Leather Deskmate and Felt Desk Mat are two popular options that you can buy today.

If repositioning, moving to a smooth surface, and reducing vibration noise with a desk pad doesn't make your keyboard quieter, you'll need to open it up and do a few things. mechanical adjustment.

3. Using O-ring rubber gasket as shock absorber

Typically, O-rings are used around the edge of the drum face to reduce resonance. In keyboards, they reduce the noise caused by pressing keys.

Install these O-ring rubber gaskets on the switches after removing each keycap (small piece of plastic used to cover the switch of the keys on a computer keyboard). Now, these rubber gaskets will reduce some of the noise per keystroke, making your keyboard a little less noisy.

If you do this, your keys may lose that 'smooth' feel when typing. Besides, they tend to wear out over time due to frequent keystrokes, so they need to be replaced constantly.

So, if it feels really good, then keep using these O-rings. If not, try some of the other ways listed in the article.

4. Add foam lining inside the keyboard

Foam pads on mechanical keyboards can help reduce the noise caused by pressing keys. This is a relatively cheap and easy way to reduce the overall noise of the keyboard. Its only downside is that it takes a lot of time. You have to remove the keyboard, then place the foam pad right between the bottom and the PCB.

Sobrathane and Neoprene are two popular choices. Sobrathane will probably reduce the noise quite effectively, but it can make your keyboard heavier. On the other hand, neoprene is relatively light and inexpensive, but it doesn't reduce noise as well as Sobrathane.

If you have a tight budget, you can always use the keyboard packaging foam board. While this option won't cost you a dime, they won't significantly reduce keyboard noise.

5. Add lubricant to the keyboard switch

You can also use this time consuming but effective method to reduce the noise of the keyboard. The lubricant helps to reduce the noise caused by friction between the spring and the body of each switch.

You'll have to clean the switches while removing them, add lubricant, and resetting the switch will also take a lot of time, so it's not an ideal solution for most users. But if you have time, this might be worth a try.

Furthermore, be careful not to add too much lubricant, or it will backfire. If too much lubricant is left over, some keys may become dysfunctional. Finally, when using a lubricant, make sure it's safe for plastic. Only try this when you know what you're doing.

6. Replace the keyboard or build a custom keyboard

If you still can't get the noise down after following all of the steps above, consider replacing it with a less noisy keyboard, with linear switches. And, if you love your gaming experience too much, you can build your own custom keyboard.

When you can choose your own case, keys, and switches, and then configure them the way you want, you can create a super-quiet keyboard.

The surface you use to place the keyboard on plays an important role in reducing or amplifying noise. When used on an old desk full of dents, mechanical keyboards can be more noisy. Put it on a smooth surface and see if that makes a difference.

David Pac

Update 06 December 2021