I’ve had the same keyboard chatter issue with two different keyboards from two different brands. I know the issue is with the keyboards because it persists between different computers.
Am I just unlucky with the hardware I got? I don’t want to invest even more money into a third mechanical keyboard if the issue is really that common.
Anyone have tips for dealing with keyboard chatter? Can I clean the switches or something? I don’t have a switch removal tool.
The current mechanical keyboard I have is a Corsair K70 RGB Core that’s just sitting in my closet.
I’ve tried software solutions to mitigate the chatter, but it’s kind of clunky and doesn’t run until after I login once.
You can diy a key puller with paper clips if needed.
Start with a thorough cleaning of the switches. If that doesn’t work, the switches themselves may need to be replaced. The K70 has gone through a few iterations, so I don’t know if yours is one of the more recent where they are hot swappable, sorry.
What is keyboard chatter ?
You press a key once, but it counts multiple times. So when you’re typing “itt lookksss liikkee thhiss.”
Apparently it’s what I’m electronics is called bounce. Because we live in the real world, a metallic switch can’t make full connection instantly. Lots of messy things happen as the metal approaches. Arcing, uneven contact, physical bouncing, etc.
Its actually a bit hard to solve but lots of ways to deal with this. Stiffer/faster contact, slower polling, debounce circuits, software algorithms…
I’ve not experienced this but I assume what the poster is experiencing is aging copper intersecting with "higher is better“ polling rates for marketing, and cut costs.
As soon as I said that, I realized Ive not had the problem with keyboards but constantly replace mi e switches.
Here’s a video about that digs into why
It’s a common problem with electromechanical switches. Especially if you have salty, sweaty hands.
The solution is to get a keyboard that uses contactless switches like hall effect, TMR, optical, etc.
I designed and built my own hall effect keyboard (and custom 3D printed Void Switches) from scratch because I was having to replace my keyboard once every 18 months or so because of the exact problem you describe 🤷
Ty for the feedback! I’ll need to look into those other switches.
I had a Logitech Orion which I though was optical, but that brand has been garbage forever, so who knows.
I had occasional chatter with one or two keys, but I would just swap those switches for the left over ones and the problem was solved.
For keyboard compatible with QMK firmware, you can even try various “debouncing” algorithms,
there are many ways and many switches you can try, but honestly I think you really just had bad luck, just try a new set of switches!
