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Repair guide

Deep-clean a sticky or dirty vintage keyboard

Removing the keycaps and washing the caps themselves while keeping the electronics dry can restore feel and reliability. The key mechanisms differ between models, so photograph the layout and follow a model-specific guide before removing anything beyond the keycaps.

Open the interactive checklist Tick off each step as you go. It saves in your browser.

Keyboard · Medium · about 90 minutes. Try it, but check first. This will not fix every machine, so read the sources first.

You are in the right place if: Keys stick, feel gritty or do not register after decades of dust and spills.

Before you start

  • Never submerge the plate or the electronics.
  • Keep keycap material away from heat. Do not use hot water on the caps.
  • If keys are riveted or the mechanism is fragile, stop and look for specialist guides.

Board revisions and models

Model M, Model F, Alps and Cherry-based boards each have a different mechanism.

Parts you may need

Tools

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Step by step

  1. Photograph the layout Take a photo of the whole keyboard so you can put the caps back correctly.
  2. Unplug the keyboard Disconnect it from the computer.
  3. Remove the keycaps Use a keycap puller or a gentle lift to remove caps, keeping long keys such as space and enter in mind.
  4. Vacuum or blow out debris Remove dust and crumbs from the plate and case.
  5. Wash the keycaps Soak caps in warm water with mild soap, rinse and dry fully on a towel.
  6. Clean the plate and case Wipe the plate and case with isopropyl alcohol on a cloth, keeping liquid out of the electronics.
  7. Check each key mechanism Press each key and note any that feel different or stick.
  8. Refit keycaps Put keycaps back in order using the photo.
  9. Test every key Plug in and run a keyboard test, then use it for a while.
  10. Stop if it needs disassembly Do not go further into Model M or Model F internals unless you have a model-specific guide.

Tips, tales and maybes

Found in write-ups and forum threads. These are other people's reports, not tested by us.

  • Maybe (Low confidence). Photograph and number the keyboard layout, especially for less common layouts. General technique, no source.

Sources

We wrote this one from general technique and have no source to credit for it yet. Treat it as a starting point, and read or watch a guide for your exact model before you begin.

Boards and models vary, so check what is in front of you. A repair can involve hot tools, chemicals and, on some machines, dangerous voltages. You do it at your own risk.

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