If you recently bought a budget mechanical keyboard and noticed that the keys feel “scratchy” or sound hollow when you type, your switches are likely completely dry. In the custom keyboard hobby, factory-lubed switches are a luxury. If your switches didn’t come pre-lubed, you have to do it yourself.
To learn how to lube a keyboard, you must first remove the switches using a switch puller. Open the switch housing, apply a thin layer of Krytox 205g0 lubricant to the side rails and the plastic stem, and reassemble the switch. This eliminates plastic-on-plastic friction, resulting in a smooth, “creamy” sound profile.
If you are tired of your keyboard sounding like a rattling tin can, here is the ultimate beginner’s guide to lubricating your mechanical switches and stabilizers.
Lubing works best on clean components: read our guide on how to clean mechanical keyboard switches before you start.
For the full picture on layouts, switches, and mods, see our complete mechanical keyboard guide.
Why Should You Lube Your Keyboard?
When you press a mechanical switch, the plastic stem slides violently against the plastic housing. This creates friction. Friction causes two major problems:
- Scratchiness: It physically slows down your keystroke, which is terrible for fast-paced gaming.
- Acoustics: It creates a high-pitched, scratchy sound that ruins the acoustic profile of your desk setup.
By applying a thin layer of specialized grease between the plastic parts, you completely eliminate that friction. This is the secret to achieving that deep, muted sound profile. (Want to learn the other secrets to acoustic modding? Read our guide on How to Build a Creamy Keyboard).
Essential Tools Needed
Before you learn how to lube a keyboard, you must gather the correct tools. Do not use household lubricants like WD-40 or Vaseline, as they will permanently destroy the plastic in your switches.
- Switch Puller: To safely extract the switches from the circuit board. (If you lost yours, read our guide on How to Remove Switches Without a Tool).
- Switch Opener: A small metal tool used to pop open the plastic clips on the switch housing.
- Lubricant: You must use Krytox GPL 205 Grade 0. This is the industry standard for linear switches. Tribosys 3203 is a thinner alternative often used for tactile switches.
- Dielectric Grease: A thicker grease best suited for stabilizers rather than individual switches.
- Small Brush & Tweezers: A size 0 fine-tipped brush for applying lube, and tweezers for handling tiny springs.
Step 1: Remove and Open the Switches
Ensure your keyboard is unplugged. Use your switch puller to gently extract all the switches from your hot-swappable keyboard.
Take your switch opener and press the switch down onto it. This will unclip the four plastic tabs holding the switch together. Carefully separate the switch into its four core components: the Top Housing, the Bottom Housing, the Spring, and the Stem.
Step 2: Lube the Bottom Housing & Spring
Take your paintbrush and dip just the very tip into your Krytox 205g0. You want the absolute minimum amount of lube on the brush: if you can see a white glob of grease, you have too much.
- The Rails: Look at the Bottom Housing. You will see two vertical “rails” on the left and right sides where the stem slides. Brush a very thin, even layer of lube onto both of these rails.
- The Spring: Using your tweezers, pick up the spring. Gently dip the bottom ring of the spring directly into your tub of Krytox 205g0 (this is called “donut dipping”). Place the lubed end of the spring onto the circular peg inside the Bottom Housing. This eliminates metallic “pinging” noises.
Step 3: Lube the Stem
The stem is the most important part of the process. Hold the cross-shaped top of the stem with your tweezers.
Use your paintbrush to apply a thin layer of lube to the two side rails of the stem. Crucial Warning: If you are lubing Tactile switches (like Cherry MX Browns), do not apply lube to the two front “legs” of the stem. Lubing the legs will erase the tactile bump, ruining the switch. If you are lubing Linear switches, you can lube the entire stem. (Not sure what type of switch you have? Read our Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard Switches Guide).
Step 4: Lube the Stabilizers
Lubing your keyboard stabilizers is an essential step to reduce unwanted rattling noise on larger keys like the Spacebar and Enter key.
- Remove the stabilizers from the keyboard plate.
- Use a clean, lint-free cloth or a Q-tip to thoroughly clean all your stabilizer components.
- Using your small brush, apply Krytox 205g0 sparingly to the inside of the plastic stabilizer housings.
- Now, apply Dielectric Grease to the metal stabilizer wires. Gently coat the 90-degree ends of the wires that come into contact with the plastic housing. Again, try to avoid using too much lubricant, as this can make the stabilizers feel mushy and unresponsive. (Read our guide to the 3 Best Clip-In Stabilizers for Custom Keyboards for more detailed instructions).
Step 5: Reassemble Your Keyboard
With all the components lubed, it’s time to reassemble the switch. Place the lubed stem on top of the spring, snap the top housing back on, and test its movement to ensure everything is functioning smoothly.
Begin by reinserting the lubed switches back into their respective positions on your keyboard’s PCB or plate. Align the metal contacts on the bottom of the switch with the holes in the hot-swap socket and press gently until the switch securely clicks into place. Finally, align the stem of your keycaps and gently press down until they click into place.
