Royal Kludge Rk71 Mechanical Keyboard Switch Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          15 - 45 minutes

Sections

Mechanical Keyboard Switch
8 steps

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Introduction

As the RK-71 has two product lines, it is important to be sure that your keyboard is hot-swappable before following this guide. The purpose of hot-swappable keyboard is to make it easier to repair and replace the switch, the process of which can be moderately difficult, so I would advise some experience with disassembly and repair of products before attempting this fix. Nonetheless, this guide will take you through the step by step of how to clean the keyboard and replace a switch.

What you need

Step 1

              Mechanical Keyboard Switch

Disconnect the keyboard from any connections by removing the wire.
The RK 71 offers two dual-connection, which means that it is able to connect both with wire and Bluetooth.
Make sure to turn off the back switch to completely disconnect.
This step needs to be done before handling any removal of the switch. This is a safety precaution.

Disconnect the keyboard from any connections by removing the wire.

The RK 71 offers two dual-connection, which means that it is able to connect both with wire and Bluetooth.

Make sure to turn off the back switch to completely disconnect.

This step needs to be done before handling any removal of the switch. This is a safety precaution.

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Step 2

Use a wired keycap remover (shown on the image) to easily remove the caps.
Hook underneath the opposite corners of the keycaps, which will enable a swift pulling, upwards motion to proceed with the removal.
To make it easier to proceed, remove the surrounding key caps from the one you intend to fix.

Use a wired keycap remover (shown on the image) to easily remove the caps.

Hook underneath the opposite corners of the keycaps, which will enable a swift pulling, upwards motion to proceed with the removal.

To make it easier to proceed, remove the surrounding key caps from the one you intend to fix.

Step 3

Before removing the switch, clean the inside of the keyboard.
Use a brush to get rid of the potential dust that could be trapped while installing new switches (which might affect the connection and function of the key).

Before removing the switch, clean the inside of the keyboard.

Use a brush to get rid of the potential dust that could be trapped while installing new switches (which might affect the connection and function of the key).

Step 4

Get the new switches that will replace the existing switches.
For this guide, I will replace an old blue switch with a new blue switch.
Make sure that the numbers of pins underneath the switch correspond to the number of pins on the old switch.

Get the new switches that will replace the existing switches.

For this guide, I will replace an old blue switch with a new blue switch.

Make sure that the numbers of pins underneath the switch correspond to the number of pins on the old switch.

Step 5

Hook the switch puller to the top and bottom of the switch (indicated by the red squares).
Pull the switch straight upwards.
The switch should be pulled straight up and free easily. If not, check whether the keyboard is actually hot-swappable or not.
Once removed, check whether it is a 3-pin or 5-pin switch.
For the RK-71, I will be using the Blue 3-pin Switch. However, if you would wish to chose another color switch, you should find the 3-pin version of that switch.

Hook the switch puller to the top and bottom of the switch (indicated by the red squares).

Pull the switch straight upwards.

The switch should be pulled straight up and free easily. If not, check whether the keyboard is actually hot-swappable or not.

Once removed, check whether it is a 3-pin or 5-pin switch.

For the RK-71, I will be using the Blue 3-pin Switch. However, if you would wish to chose another color switch, you should find the 3-pin version of that switch.

Step 6

Look at the bottom of the switches and locate the two metal pins connectors. These connectors will correspond to the two holes at the position where you will place the switches on the keyboard plates.
Align the switch to the receptacle and gently push the bottom of the switch so that the two pins are in position (do not force it in or else the pins might break),

Look at the bottom of the switches and locate the two metal pins connectors. These connectors will correspond to the two holes at the position where you will place the switches on the keyboard plates.

Align the switch to the receptacle and gently push the bottom of the switch so that the two pins are in position (do not force it in or else the pins might break),

Step 7

Once the switch is replaced, connect to the computer to test it out.
When the switch is correctly connected, the signals will be passed to the Keyboard tester and the key will turn green on the screen.
Use the Keyboard Tester to test.

Once the switch is replaced, connect to the computer to test it out.

When the switch is correctly connected, the signals will be passed to the Keyboard tester and the key will turn green on the screen.

Use the Keyboard Tester to test.

Step 8

If you desire to change any more switches, disconnect the keyboard and repeat step 5 and 6 with all the switches that desire to be changed.
Once completed, reconnect the keyboard to a device to check again.

If you desire to change any more switches, disconnect the keyboard and repeat step 5 and 6 with all the switches that desire to be changed.

Once completed, reconnect the keyboard to a device to check again.

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                    Hoang

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                       CSU Los Angeles, Team 36-36, Harris Spring 2022                        

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What you need#

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Introduction

What you need

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