Corsair Mechanical Keyboard Switch Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

                          25 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

Key Switch
14 steps

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BackCORSAIR Strafe Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Removing Key Caps

This is most effectively done with a key cap puller. However you can also use an IFIXIT opening tool.
The IFIXIT opening tool is especially useful in removing the brightness adjuster and windows lock in the top right of the keyboard.

This is most effectively done with a key cap puller. However you can also use an IFIXIT opening tool.

The IFIXIT opening tool is especially useful in removing the brightness adjuster and windows lock in the top right of the keyboard.

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Step 2

              Removal of The Back Chassis Screws

Flipping over the keyboard reveals eleven visible screws and two hidden underneath the rubber feet.
To make sure you do not lose track of the screws it is best practices to put them in something spill resistant and if possible magnetic

Flipping over the keyboard reveals eleven visible screws and two hidden underneath the rubber feet.

To make sure you do not lose track of the screws it is best practices to put them in something spill resistant and if possible magnetic

Step 3

              Plastic Bezel Removal

Using the IFIXIT opening tool work to separate the plastic bezel from the main body of the keyboard.
This is one of the harder parts of the disassembly. While it will feel like it is being held together by another screw there is none.
Work carefully and diligently as not to break an plastic tabs that are holding the bezel down.

Using the IFIXIT opening tool work to separate the plastic bezel from the main body of the keyboard.

This is one of the harder parts of the disassembly. While it will feel like it is being held together by another screw there is none.

Work carefully and diligently as not to break an plastic tabs that are holding the bezel down.

Step 4

              Removal of PCB Cover Panel Screws and Wires

Underneath the bezel there are three cables highlighted and blue and seven screws that need to be removed.
The screws can be removed using the same triple-point y000 driver bit as all the screws that will proceed.
As for the cables these can be removed using the IFIXIT tweezers.
The ribbon cable will produce two separate parts. The cable and a small black piece that can be lost easily.

Underneath the bezel there are three cables highlighted and blue and seven screws that need to be removed.

The screws can be removed using the same triple-point y000 driver bit as all the screws that will proceed.

As for the cables these can be removed using the IFIXIT tweezers.

The ribbon cable will produce two separate parts. The cable and a small black piece that can be lost easily.

Step 5

              Removal of The PCB Daughterboard cable

After removing the front cables and screws we are now able to flip over the pcb and view the back.
There are two relatively large cables known as “daughterboard cables” on the back of the pcb.
These two cables can be easily removed by either using you fingers or with the IFIXIT tweezers.

After removing the front cables and screws we are now able to flip over the pcb and view the back.

There are two relatively large cables known as “daughterboard cables” on the back of the pcb.

These two cables can be easily removed by either using you fingers or with the IFIXIT tweezers.

Step 6

              Separation and Locating Broken Switch

Flowing the disconnection of the daughterboard cables pcb unit can now be removed.
The next vital step is to locate the soldering joints connected to your broken switch. This is best done with a magnifying device as the identification numbers can be hard to read. In this case the broken switch is labeled “app”
From the keyboards that I have done in the past labeling on the pcb is generally pretty good. It is either done in short hand or by numbers.

Flowing the disconnection of the daughterboard cables pcb unit can now be removed.

The next vital step is to locate the soldering joints connected to your broken switch. This is best done with a magnifying device as the identification numbers can be hard to read. In this case the broken switch is labeled “app”

From the keyboards that I have done in the past labeling on the pcb is generally pretty good. It is either done in short hand or by numbers.

Step 7

              Soldering Setup

Soldering Iron: 370 Celsius
Solder: Rosin Core
Fume Extractor: 120mm fan
Wick: copper wire coated with rosin flux

Soldering Iron: 370 Celsius

Solder: Rosin Core

Fume Extractor: 120mm fan

Wick: copper wire coated with rosin flux

Step 8

This step involves a very hot soldering iron relatively close to you fingers.
To remove the old solder place the wick over the solder joint and heat with soldering iron. You might have to press relatively hard.
Once the majority of the old solder is removed use the tip of the soldering iron to poke a hole through the wick into the solder joint to clear it out completely.

This step involves a very hot soldering iron relatively close to you fingers.

To remove the old solder place the wick over the solder joint and heat with soldering iron. You might have to press relatively hard.

Once the majority of the old solder is removed use the tip of the soldering iron to poke a hole through the wick into the solder joint to clear it out completely.

Step 9

The new switch can only be placed in one direction do to the orientation of the leads.
As we have flux infused solder we do not need to use extra flux as well. Though I note this because it is much better to have it if your solder is not infused.
When soldering make sure not to hold the soldering iron for too long on the now component as this can cause damage.
Tinning the tip, can be done by rubbing solder on the tip of the iron and then using the cleaning sponge to help remove and solder residue. This helps make cleaner joints.
Use of hot soldering iron

The new switch can only be placed in one direction do to the orientation of the leads.

As we have flux infused solder we do not need to use extra flux as well. Though I note this because it is much better to have it if your solder is not infused.

When soldering make sure not to hold the soldering iron for too long on the now component as this can cause damage.

Tinning the tip, can be done by rubbing solder on the tip of the iron and then using the cleaning sponge to help remove and solder residue. This helps make cleaner joints.

Use of hot soldering iron

Step 10

              Testing The Soldering Joint

To make sure that you solder joint is correctly connected you can use a multimeter to test the continuity.

To make sure that you solder joint is correctly connected you can use a multimeter to test the continuity.

Step 11

The pcb can now be placed in to the chassis once gain after the continuity test has been completed.
Once the pcb has been lined up with the threads begin to replace the screws. Make sure to not to cover up any of the cables that you need to plug back in.
Do not tighten all the way done as if there is a problem you can easily get back under the pcb.

The pcb can now be placed in to the chassis once gain after the continuity test has been completed.

Once the pcb has been lined up with the threads begin to replace the screws. Make sure to not to cover up any of the cables that you need to plug back in.

Do not tighten all the way done as if there is a problem you can easily get back under the pcb.

Step 12

After all the wires are plugged in test if the keyboard turns on.
Connect via usb to a computer and pull up a keyboard tester. This allows you to check all of you keys to make sure they are in working order.
If all keys are working correctly finish tightening the screws and replace the bezel.

After all the wires are plugged in test if the keyboard turns on.

Connect via usb to a computer and pull up a keyboard tester. This allows you to check all of you keys to make sure they are in working order.

If all keys are working correctly finish tightening the screws and replace the bezel.

Step 13

              Key Cap Replacement

After replacing the bezel on to the chassis begin setting the keys into their proper spots.
Personal I find starting with the specialty keys speeds up the placement significantly

After replacing the bezel on to the chassis begin setting the keys into their proper spots.

Personal I find starting with the specialty keys speeds up the placement significantly

Step 14

              Optional: 3D Printing Replacement Key Cap

Using 3D printing is a great way to make plastic components that are either broken or missing.
On this particular keyboard the windows key for the replacement switch is also missing so I printed one.

Using 3D printing is a great way to make plastic components that are either broken or missing.

On this particular keyboard the windows key for the replacement switch is also missing so I printed one.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      2 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 3 other contributors

                    Lexy Goad

Member since: 06/19/2021

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sfadsdf - Mar 3, 2022

holy $@$* i just wanted a replacement what is this LOL. But by all means it sure would work.

Lexy Goad - May 20, 2022

Lol sorry this was actually made as a project for my engineering technical writing class. So it had particular requirements that had to be followed. Tbh never expected anyone to look at it besides my engineering professor.

bansku - Aug 28, 2022

hmm lol i guess ill give it a try

Jay Marble - Oct 15, 2022

Very helpful. I wasn’t certain if the switches were socketed or soldered, but this answered my question! Good luck in your studies!

Eric Forbes - Nov 1, 2022

Do you happen to know how the stabilizers are secured? Specifically for the space bar. My kid just snapped one of them, and I wondering how much of this would be involved in replacing those. I’m kind of hoping their snap ins with no attachment to the actual board. Any idea?

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Member-Contributed Guide

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Introduction

What you need