The membrane keyboard is likely the most common keyboard type out there. That is, if you lump all the keyboards that work like the membrane keyboard under that category. These different types of membrane keyboards all work similarly and have a different way of operating, looking, and feeling than a mechanical keyboard. The question is, can you remove their keycaps?
Some membrane keyboards cannot have their keycaps removed at all, while the rest have different ways of removing them. Sometimes it involves using a screwdriver to open up the whole piece of hardware, and at other times a simple pop will suffice.
Whether you’ve got something stuck underneath one of your keys or old junk that needs some dusting, this guide will give you tips to safely remove keycaps from your keyboard hardware. Get ready because you’ll be writing essays, playing games, and coding again soon!
Can You Remove The Keycaps From A Membrane Keyboard?
Depending on the keyboard type, you can screw, pop, or flip the keycaps out of its socket. At other times, you may break something or get it stuck where it’s not supposed to. With any membrane keyboard, you will have a much harder time replacing the keys than mechanical keyboards, which are designed keeping in mind that gamers want to keep their gear in shape.
1. The Membrane Switch Keyboard
These keyboards are typically not seen in computers and are used for household appliances such as washing machines, air conditioners, microwaves, etc. The keys are generally printed on top of the membrane, which is pressed to close the circuit and send a signal. These keys cannot be removed or replaced.
2. Full Travel Membrane Keyboards
The full travel membrane keyboard is more commonly seen in computers than the membrane switch. It consists of keys directly integrated into the keypad, a matrix of electrical switches. The keys are pressed, closing the circuit, and the elasticity of the membrane makes the keys jump up again. Keycaps cannot be removed.
3. Dome Switch Membrane Keyboards
Dome switch membrane keyboards are sometimes also used on personal computers but are not necessarily as common. An advantage of these keyboards is the tactile feedback they provide thanks to the silicone domes often used; however, these domes can tear when removing the keycaps, and one must therefore take extreme care when servicing dome switch keyboards.
4. Scissor Switch Keyboards
Most commonly seen on laptops and Macs, these keyboards have thin, flat, and square shape keys. They are almost exclusively used in laptops and work with a scissor-like mechanism that keeps keys in place, making it near impossible to remove the keycaps; likewise, however, it is very difficult for debris to get into these keys, and therefore there is less needed to replace keycaps.
5. Chiclet Keyboards
These keyboards often have the same dome shape membrane as traditional membrane keyboards, but they can also work with a scissor switch motion, meaning that some will have replaceable keycaps while others won’t. Either way, replacing keycaps will be a difficult task.