How do I stop my keyboard from typing noise?

Understanding Keyboard Noise

Keyboard noise is a common complaint for mechanical keyboard users. There are several causes of the various sounds that a keyboard can make:

Keycap impact noise is caused when a keycap hits the bottom of a switch after being pressed. This results in a clacking or banging noise on each keypress. Mechanical keyboards tend to be louder in this regard compared to membrane keyboards due to their removable keycaps and mechanical switches.

Spring vibration inside mechanical switches also creates noise as the spring compresses and decompresses with each keypress. Tactile and clicky switch types in particular produce a distinctive spring ping noise.

Stabilizer rattle occurs on larger keys like the space bar. Stabilizers are wire or plastic inserts to reinforce larger keys. If the stabilizers are loose or improperly mounted, they can create a rattling noise on key presses.

Proper assembly, quality components and regular maintenance can help reduce inherent keyboard noise caused by the switch and stabilizer mechanisms. Additionally, aftermarket modifications can help dampen or absorb noise.

Lubricating Stabilizers

Stabilizers are mechanical components underneath the keycaps that help guide and stabilize keycap movement. The most common types are Costar stabilizers and Cherry stabilizers. Stabilizers consist of a housing that the keycap stems insert into and a wire or rod that connects left/right stabilizer housings.

When insufficiently lubricated, these stabilizer rods or wires can rattle inside the housing while typing, creating an undesirable noise. Lubricating them with a thin grease or oil designed for keyboard parts can greatly reduce this rattle and keyboard noise.

Things to keep in mind when lubricating stabilizers:

• Use a plastic-safe lubricant like Krytox or Super Lube.
• Avoid over-lubricating as this can cause mushy, sluggish feel.
• Focus lubricant on the stabilizer wire/rod and housing contact points.
• Band-aid modding can further reduce stabilizer rattle before lubricating.

Overall, proper stabilizer lubrication is one of the most effective ways to reduce keyboard noise from the mechanical components.

Switch Dampening

One way to reduce keyboard noise is by using O-rings or Q-rings to cushion the impact when pressing keys. These are small rubber rings that fit under the keycaps to soften the bottoming out of the switch. When you fully depress a mechanical switch without dampeners, it can make a harsh clacking noise as the switch hits the bottom. O-rings absorb some of that impact.

According to a discussion on Reddit, O-rings can significantly affect the feel and sound of mechanical switches. Some users feel like it makes the keyboard feel more like a rubber dome switch. However, experiences vary based on personal preference.[1] When choosing O-rings, consider the thickness and durometer rating to find the right balance of sound dampening versus key feel.

Overall, O-rings are an inexpensive and reversible mod to quiet down mechanical keyboards. Just keep in mind they can reduce key travel and change the typing experience compared to no dampening.

Case Foam/Dampening

Adding foam to the inside of a keyboard case is a common way to reduce noise from vibration. The foam acts as a dampener that absorbs some of the sound waves produced when typing. Many keyboard enthusiasts use sheets of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam that can be purchased from craft stores or online retailers. The foam is cut into pieces that fit snugly inside the case, covering as much surface area as possible.

The foam sheets are often 2-5 mm thick and added in layers, with some builders using up to 10 mm total foam thickness. More foam leads to increased sound dampening but also a softer, less rigid typing feel. The foam can be attached to the case using double-sided tape or glued in place. Ensuring a tight fit minimizes any potential rattle from loose foam.

EVA foam works well because it effectively absorbs vibrations across a range of frequencies. The soft porous material essentially acts as miniature sound-dampening cushions under each key. Foam modding significantly reduces hollow reverberation and pinging noises from the keyboard case itself. It’s an affordable and reversible way to quiet mechanical keyboards for home, office, or public use.

Plate Dampening

Adding foam or silicone between the PCB and plate is an effective way to reduce keyboard noise. The foam helps absorb vibrations and dampen the sound of typing.

Plate foam, also called mute foam, sits between the PCB and plate of the keyboard. It creates a barrier that reduces the hollow reverberating noise that can occur when typing on a hard surface. The foam essentially muffles and softens the sound.

Many keyboard enthusiasts recommend using 3-5mm thick plate foam for optimal noise dampening. The foam compresses when typing, absorbing vibrations rather than letting them ring out through the keyboard case. This can make for a much quieter and muted typing experience.

Plate foam is easy to add to custom keyboards, but can also be installed in some pre-built keyboards. Just remove the PCB, add the sized foam, and reassemble. Most report an noticeable reduction in hollowness and echo.

While specialty keyboard foams can be purchased, many have success using craft foams or yoga mat foam. The key is getting the right thickness and density for your specific keyboard.

Overall, plate foam is an affordable and straightforward way to significantly reduce the noise produced by a mechanical keyboard (source). Just be sure to get a foam that adequately compresses yet retains its shape.

Keycap Material

The material of your keycaps can impact the noise levels of your keyboard. The two most common keycap materials are PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). PBT keycaps tend to be thicker and have a matte, textured finish compared to the thinner, shinier ABS keycaps.

In terms of noise, PBT keycaps are generally considered to be quieter than ABS keycaps when typing. The thicker PBT material helps to dampen the sound of the switch and keypress. PBT also has a more muted, deeper tone compared to the higher-pitched click of ABS keycaps. According to user reports, the difference in noise levels may be subtle, but can be noticeable, especially in a quiet environment.

For example, this Reddit thread discusses how PBT keycaps help reduce noise: What are most quiet(er) keycaps? : r/MechanicalKeyboards

The matte texture of PBT keycaps also absorbs sound better than the more reflective surface of ABS. So if reducing keyboard noise is a priority, PBT keycaps may be the better choice over ABS.

Keyboard Case Material

The material used for the keyboard case can have a significant impact on noise levels. According to a Reddit discussion, polycarbonate is one of the quietest materials for keyboard cases as it helps dampen vibrations and sound (Source). Polycarbonate cases like the GoN Crystal NerD PCB tend to be expensive but provide superior noise dampening.

Aluminum is another popular case material, but it can amplify noise due to its higher resonance compared to polycarbonate. To reduce noise, some manufacturers offer aluminum cases with internal sound dampening material. Overall, polycarbonate appears to be the top choice if minimizing noise is the priority when selecting a keyboard case material.

Typing Technique

One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce keyboard noise is to focus on lighter key presses when typing. Mechanical keyboards are designed to register key presses even with very light force. Hammering the keys or bottoming out (pressing the key all the way down to hit the bottom) causes more noise but does not provide any benefit.

Practice typing with a lighter touch, focusing on pressing just enough to register the keypress without slamming the keys. Many typists are used to pressing forcefully out of habit. Retraining your hands and fingers to use lighter key presses can take some time and conscious practice, but is well worth it to dramatically reduce typing noise.

Touch typing or proper typing form can help reduce the force of keystrokes. With touch typing, the force is distributed more evenly across all fingers leading to lighter presses. Proper hand and wrist positioning also allows the fingers to press more efficiently straight down rather than an off-angle strike.

Switching to a lighter keyboard switch type, such as Cherry MX Reds or equivalent, can encourage lighter key presses. Heavier switch types like MX Blacks require more force to press down, which often leads to harder key strikes.

With practice and focus, efficient typing technique can go a long way towards a quieter keyboard. It just takes retraining muscle memory and making a conscious effort to type in a new, softer way.

Office/Home Use Considerations

For office or home use, especially in shared spaces, choosing a quiet keyboard is important to minimize noise disruptions for yourself and others. There are a few main options to consider:

• Mechanical keyboards with quiet/silent switches – Cherry MX Silent switches or Gateron Silent switches are designed to be much quieter than regular switches by dampening the downstroke. They still provide a mechanical feel but with significantly reduced noise (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shop/quiet-mechanical-keyboard-for-office).
• Membrane keyboards – These very quiet, non-mechanical keyboards have a rubber dome instead of a mechanical switch. They provide a soft, quiet typing experience suitable for office/home use.
• Adding o-rings – These soft rubber rings can be added to your existing mechanical keyboard switches to help dampen the noise when keys bottom out (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shop/best-quiet-keyboard-for-office).

There are also software solutions like enabling “gaming mode” which disables the Windows key to prevent accidental presses. Overall, look for quietswitches, o-rings, and noise-dampening materials if sound is a concern.

Summary

To summarize, there are several effective options to reduce or eliminate keyboard noise depending on your needs:

Lubricating stabilizers with a small amount of dielectric grease can greatly reduce stabilizer rattle and pinging.

Adding O-rings or other damping pads under keycaps can reduce bottoming out noise.

Adding case foam inside the keyboard can absorb vibration and significantly reduce hollowness.

Replacing a metal plate with a polycarbonate or POM plate can produce a deeper, quieter sound.

Choosing PBT keycaps over ABS keycaps can reduce high-pitched clacking.

A solid, heavy keyboard case such as aluminum can minimize vibration and echo.

Adjusting your typing technique to be lighter and slower can reduce bottoming out force.

For office use, prioritize noise reduction, while for home use you may prefer customization and tuning the sound.

With some tweaking and modifications, you can turn even clicky and tactile mechanical keyboards into much quieter devices.