How to quiet a noisy keyboard

Know the causes of a noisy keyboard.

If your keyboard is noisy, there are three main causes.

1. keyswitch noise
2. key bounce noise
3. key touch resonance

Pressing sound of keyswitches

In a keyboard, key input is achieved by pressing keys, which cause the keyswitches on the base plate to react. There are various types of switches, but all types of keyswitches make a pressing sound unless they are touch type.

The push-in sound is the sound of the keys hitting the base plate for membrane type, and the sound of the switch for mechanical type. The cause of this varies depending on which switch type keyboard is being used.

Key bouncing sound

Keys on a keyboard are designed to bounce back after being pressed down, so they make a sound not only when pressed down, but also when they come back up.

This bouncing sound is more noticeable with plastic keys, while it is less noticeable with silicon or rubber keys.

Keyswitch Resonance Sound

The sound emitted from a keyboard may be caused by the keyswitch sound or key bounce sound of the keyboard resonating with the base plate or chassis, making the sound louder.

To determine if resonance noise is the cause, try key-touching on a cushioned surface such as a sofa or futon. If resonance is the cause, key-touching on a cushioned surface should reduce the sound.

How to quiet a noisy keyboard

Attach a quieting ring

If your keyboard is a mechanical keyboard, you can use a quieting ring. Quieting rings are rubber rings that attach to the mechanical switches and are sold for around 1,000 yen per set.

The technique is to prevent the keyswitches from being pushed in completely, so that the keyswitches do not reach the base plate, thereby reducing the push-in noise.

This is a highly effective way to quiet a noisy keyboard, but the drawback is that it is troublesome to attach a ring to each individual keyswitch, and the keyboard key touch is changed.

Place on a keyboard mat

If the resonant sound of the keys is the cause, simply placing the keyboard on a keyboard mat will make a noisy keyboard much quieter.

A keyboard mat is a good countermeasure because it is easy to use and not expensive, but in some cases, depending on the type of keyboard, it may be difficult to achieve the desired effect.

Keyboards that are less likely to be effective are

1. keyboards whose base board is a mat Keyboards with tilt-stand type keyboards

Keyboards with tilt-stand type keyboards

Especially in the case of tilt-stand type keyboards, a keyboard mat will not be effective in quieting the sound.

Changing keycaps

For keyboards with customizable keys, such as mechanical keyboards, this can be done by changing the keycaps to achieve a quieter sound effect.

Basically, all keyboards have plastic keycaps, but different keycap structures can change the touch sound, which can make the keyboard quieter.

Since some keyboard specialty stores have recently emerged, it is a good idea to actually touch the keycaps at a specialty store and compare the sound to customize your keyboard.

Replacing a noisy keyboard with a quiet keyboard

The best way to quiet a noisy keyboard is to replace it with a quiet keyboard.

There are many quiet keyboards available, from high-end keyboards to inexpensive ones, so it is a good idea to try one out at an electronics retail store.

If you want a keyboard with a completely silent level of sound, a silicone keyboard is the way to go. It will have its own unique clacking sound, but it will not be as high-pitched as plastic keys, so it will be quieter.