WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.470 --> 00:00:01.240 Yesterday. 2 00:00:01.240 --> 00:00:05.320 I poured soda on this keyboard and left it out to dry overnight to get it nice 3 00:00:05.320 --> 00:00:08.560 and sticky. And today I'm gonna show you how to clean a sticky keyboard. 4 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:11.120 Ordinarily, if you had a spill like this on your keyboard, 5 00:00:11.250 --> 00:00:14.080 you'd want to clean up the mess right away before you do anything, 6 00:00:14.260 --> 00:00:17.600 unplug the keyboard from your computer, or turn the power off next, 7 00:00:17.630 --> 00:00:20.720 turn it over and shake out as much of the liquid as you can to keep it from 8 00:00:20.720 --> 00:00:22.000 seeping any further inside, 9 00:00:22.430 --> 00:00:25.560 then take a cloth and wipe up any remaining liquid you can get to. 10 00:00:26.220 --> 00:00:28.880 You might wanna repeat the shake and wipe cycle a couple of times, 11 00:00:28.980 --> 00:00:30.600 or until nothing else is coming out. 12 00:00:30.940 --> 00:00:33.800 If you have a mechanical keyboard like this one where the switches are all 13 00:00:33.800 --> 00:00:37.200 exposed, you could consider using an air blow to speed up the drying process. 14 00:00:38.220 --> 00:00:42.080 Now turn the keyboard upside down and let it dry overnight in the morning before 15 00:00:42.080 --> 00:00:43.360 plugging the keyboard back in, 16 00:00:43.610 --> 00:00:48.240 check all the keys to see if you find any of them sticking, if not, 17 00:00:48.240 --> 00:00:49.880 feel free to plug it in and see how it works. 18 00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:53.600 But if you have keys that are sticking either from a recent spill or from a 19 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:56.120 splash in the past, here's how to clean a sticky keyboard. 20 00:00:56.460 --> 00:00:58.280 Before we start worrying about sticky keys, 21 00:00:58.570 --> 00:01:02.480 let's get all the big pieces of whatever out of your keyboard, 22 00:01:03.030 --> 00:01:06.760 hold the keyboard at an angle and give it a good shake over a trash can or just 23 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:09.200 over the floor. If that's how you choose to live next, 24 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:12.920 you can turn to a can of compressed air or an air blower like this one to try 25 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:15.960 and dislodge any more big particles that might be hiding under your key. 26 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:20.640 C net's KDT has an article that outlines a thorough zigzag technique for blowing 27 00:01:20.820 --> 00:01:23.720 out the dunk. You can try a vacuum if that's more your style, 28 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:25.760 but you do run the risk of losing small pieces. 29 00:01:25.860 --> 00:01:29.240 If everything isn't firmly attached, how are those sticky keys treating you? 30 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:31.280 Now, if one or more keys is still sticking, 31 00:01:31.300 --> 00:01:34.160 you may be better off removing those key caps to clean underneath, 32 00:01:34.260 --> 00:01:37.080 but be careful not all keyboards were made to be taken apart. 33 00:01:37.320 --> 00:01:39.680 A mechanical keyboard like this one is made to be customized. 34 00:01:39.820 --> 00:01:41.520 So removing the key caps is easy. 35 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:45.480 A little tool like this pops the keys right off. This is a cheaper version. 36 00:01:45.620 --> 00:01:48.200 So it doesn't have removable switches, but if yours does, 37 00:01:48.460 --> 00:01:50.480 you might need to pull them out to clean them as well. 38 00:01:52.070 --> 00:01:53.880 This is a pretty standard PC keyboard. 39 00:01:53.900 --> 00:01:57.120 And most of these keys come off the same way with a key cap removal tool, 40 00:01:57.500 --> 00:01:59.760 except for these media control buttons across the top. 41 00:02:00.110 --> 00:02:03.600 This wireless keyboard has flatter keys like an apple magic keyboard, 42 00:02:03.940 --> 00:02:08.080 use a thin screwdriver or a tool like this to gently pry the key cap up from the 43 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:10.040 side, but don't damage the parts underneath. 44 00:02:10.180 --> 00:02:12.760 And don't pry too hard when taking any of these keys off. 45 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:15.800 If you have to apply too much pressure, odds are the key cap. 46 00:02:15.810 --> 00:02:19.240 Isn't meant to be removed with the problematic key caps removed. 47 00:02:19.270 --> 00:02:22.480 Hopefully you can see whatever substance is causing the keys to stick. 48 00:02:22.980 --> 00:02:26.200 So let's turn to what some people believe to be the solution to many of life's 49 00:02:26.200 --> 00:02:28.720 problems. Alcohol. In this case, 50 00:02:28.860 --> 00:02:31.240 I'm referring to Ethel or isoprol alcohol. 51 00:02:31.540 --> 00:02:35.480 You can use a damp alcohol wipe or a cloth or cotton swab dampen with rubbing 52 00:02:35.510 --> 00:02:38.680 alcohol. Don't let anymore liquid drip down into the keyboard. 53 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:41.680 If you can help it as that can damage the hardware that lives underneath the 54 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:45.680 keys, wipe down all the parts of the sticky key, the cap, the switch, 55 00:02:45.820 --> 00:02:47.160 and any other exposed parts, 56 00:02:47.610 --> 00:02:50.240 especially if you can see signs of the spill that cause the problem, 57 00:02:50.940 --> 00:02:54.640 try to work the alcohol around by pressing down on the key or wiggling any parts 58 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:56.640 around to loosen everything up as best you can. 59 00:02:57.150 --> 00:03:00.200 Some keyboards will have a rubber membrane underneath the key caps. 60 00:03:00.460 --> 00:03:01.100 In that case, 61 00:03:01.100 --> 00:03:05.040 try to avoid allowing the alcohol to come in contact with the rubber as the 62 00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:07.320 material could become brittle and crack over time. 63 00:03:07.980 --> 00:03:10.640 But if your keyboard isn't working, it might be better to try and fix it. 64 00:03:10.640 --> 00:03:11.840 Now then worry about the future. 65 00:03:12.100 --> 00:03:14.840 You could try to clock just slightly dampen with water on that part. 66 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:15.673 If you're concerned, 67 00:03:16.140 --> 00:03:19.360 let all the parts dry before you reassemble the keys you've taken apart. 68 00:03:19.530 --> 00:03:21.880 These key caps just pop right on 69 00:03:25.050 --> 00:03:27.960 while these have little clips. So be gentle in putting them back on. 70 00:03:29.670 --> 00:03:33.880 Make sure it's aligned before applying too much pressure when everything is dry 71 00:03:33.880 --> 00:03:35.880 and reassembled. It's time for the moment of truth. 72 00:03:36.220 --> 00:03:40.240 Go ahead and plug your keyboard back in or turn it on with any luck. 73 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:42.240 Your sticky keys will be working smoothly again, 74 00:03:42.540 --> 00:03:45.960 and you can get back to sending uplifting messages to strangers on the internet. 75 00:03:46.420 --> 00:03:48.960 If you've got any more cleaning projects, you want us to help you tackle. 76 00:03:49.220 --> 00:03:52.040 Let me know in the comments. Thanks for watching. And we'll see you next time.